vinyl or no vinyl

[LTDMan83]

Vinyl definitely doesn't make the difference between a "Granny Car" and a "Hot-Rod". The Double D's are what make the difference between a "Granny Car" and a "Hot-Rod": Driver & Drivetrain. Nothing more, Nothing less.

The Box Panther is a "Granny Car" in the minds of 90% of the people out there, regardless of if they are Vinyl or Slicktop, 500HP or 150HP. These cars will never be a "Granny Car" to me, Vinyl or Slicktop.

[86VickyLX]

Vinyl definitely doesn't make the difference between a "Granny Car" and a "Hot-Rod". The Double D's are what make the difference between a "Granny Car" and a "Hot-Rod": Driver & Drivetrain. Nothing more, Nothing less.

The Box Panther is a "Granny Car" in the minds of 90% of the people out there, regardless of if they are Vinyl or Slicktop, 50HP or 150HP. These cars will never be a "Granny Car" to me, Vinyl or Slicktop.

Well said mang.

[86GmLsCoupe]

I was planning on having mine redone over the summer and those pics are helping to prepare me some. I'm figuring that my roof may have some rust issues, but we've always been fairly good and rinsing out the opera window's gutters so the leaves & dirt don't get trapped and rust like in those pics. SMS Auto Fabrics already quoted me I think about $260 + shipping for a perfect match (color and fit) replacement and I'd pay a pro to put the new one on. I just have to budget some extra in case the roof needs major repair or repaint before the new vinyl goes on.

[87_crown_vic]

about only way i like the vinyl tops on the cars is if they have a coach roof.

[86GmLsCoupe]

For some reason I'm the opposite. I like seeing that big window from the back and the way the interior trim panels are done without the coach roof. To me the coach always seemed to have an after market feel to it. Plus, w/o the coach, I think those rear windows have some of the best visibility on any car around.

[Grand Marquis GT]

The man wants a real hot rod look.

I stated my opinion, and certainly you fools don't agree.

Fine and dandy, but I still think you guys are whack. :nonono:

[Mercmarquis]

I kinda want to redo my merk's top with the thin unpadded grain vinyl they used on old muscle cars like camaros and challengers. Either that or if the roll on paint job works i'm gonna two tone my merk. Top in black, lower in dark grey.

[LTDMan83]

I've always thought that the old 60's 70's Muscle Cars (Ford,GM,& Chrysler) looked 10X better with the roof fully wrapped in non-padded Vinyl.

[1987cp]

1.) Fix rust.
2.) Locate chrome rear window trim (from a '79-'87 slicktop Ford/Merc or any '88-'91 Ford/Merc without the Brougham roof [read small rear window]). Then locate chrome rear side window trim from a Ford 2-Dr.
3.) Paint and slicktop that Merc.

Note: DON'T Slicktop without getting the chrome trim!

What's the difference in the trim? My '81 has funky naugahyde-wrapped rear window trim (same with the bits above the rear wheels), but the side window trim looks offhand like it'd be just fine if the car were to ever become a slicktop.

Like I said, though, just for the sake of keeping the sheet metal from rusting, I'd leave the vinyl off. I've seen too many cars get huge rust spots right at the bottom of the C-pillar because of vinyl tops.

Huh. I hadn't thought of vinyl as a big cause of rust. I really don't want to remove mine since it's in nice shape, no cracks or anything .... wonder how I can check for rust without having to remove the vinyl. I assume the quarter-window trim attaches with regular trim clips same as the windshield trim and wagon quarter-window trim?

Ditch the vinyl!

Trust me, the "work" will be WELL worth it with the final looks. you want a hotrod, or a granny car?

Well, if you have a vinyl top, it ain't a hot rod. Sorry, Charlie...

Guess you told us!

about only way i like the vinyl tops on the cars is if they have a coach roof.

Is that the funky one with the small-looking rear window? I've often wondered how those work. Is there just a bunch of extra trim that overlays part of a regular rear window?

[biglinc1]

how many hot rods you ever seen with vinyl? for that look go slick top

[86VickyLX]

Actually, if you look, there are quite a few.

[Nathan in MI]

Huh. I hadn't thought of vinyl as a big cause of rust. I really don't want to remove mine since it's in nice shape, no cracks or anything .... wonder how I can check for rust without having to remove the vinyl. I assume the quarter-window trim attaches with regular trim clips same as the windshield trim and wagon quarter-window trim?

You can wait until the paint starts to bubble directly under the point where the vinyl ends at the bottom of the C-pillar, but by then things are probably getting pretty scary-looking underneath...

[LTDMan83]

Is that the funky one with the small-looking rear window? I've often wondered how those work. Is there just a bunch of extra trim that overlays part of a regular rear window?

It's actually a smaller rear window set into a fiberglass shell.

The Coach Roof was a premium, dealer upgrade option on all of the top of the line boxes. The rear window shell, and interior rear Headliner piece were both made by a company called CFC (Cincinnati Fiberglass Company).

My biggest Turn-Off with the Reg & Slicktop boxes is the Large Rear Window. I absolutely hate large rear windows in any vehicle of any kind, and in these cars the large rear window significantly takes away from the "Privacy" and "Comfort" factor to me.

That being said, If I could have a slicktop with a smaller rear window, at least as small as the coach roof rear window, then I would be all for it. Someday, I may try and custom build a slicktop with a Coach Roof rear window. :cutit: :welder:

[Grand Marquis GT]

Hey I took that pic!

[1987cp]

That being said, If I could have a slicktop with a smaller rear window, at least as small as the coach roof rear window, then I would be all for it. Someday, I may try and custom build a slicktop with a Coach Roof rear window. :cutit: :welder:

Thanks for the quick tutorial, mang. Is that feature the reason why some cars seem to have the rear window at a different angle (more vertical)?

Coach Roof slicktop is actually kind of a neat idea .... I wonder how a person would make that work .....