Black Vinyl Hardtop - Which Years?

[Jeff B.]

When I bought my 1964 convertible this year it came with a hardtop. I assume it is not correct for the car because the TM says all were painted body color. It does not have the notches and from what I could gather from the archives most black vinyl references were regarding 1967. I want to find out if I can remove the vinyl and paint it with the car or if there are other differences that would make it not correct.

[Joe L.]

Re: Black Vinyl Hardtop - Which Years?

When I bought my 1964 convertible this year it came with a hardtop. I assume it is not correct for the car because the TM says all were painted body color. It does not have the notches and from what I could gather from the archives most black vinyl references were regarding 1967. I want to find out if I can remove the vinyl and paint it with the car or if there are other differences that would make it not correct.

Jeff-----



1967 was the only one of the C2 years that featured an optional vinyl covering for the hard-top. So, such a top would not be correct for any 63-66.

It is possible to remove the vinyl covering and paint the hardtop the same color as the car. It might be a good deal of work to get the covering off and cleaned up, but it's very do-able.

However, I presume the top you now have is a 1967 top that was retro-fitted at some point to the car. If so, I vaguely recall that there were some other minor differences between early C2 hard-tops and the 67 hard-top. If that recollection is correct and if the top actually is a 67 top, after removing the vinyl covering and painting it to match the car you might not end up with a top that is otherwise 100% correct in every nuance of detail. It'll be a whole lot more correct than a 1964 with a vinyl-covered hard-top, though. That's for sure, since that feature "sticks out like a sore thumb".

[Mike E.]

Re: Black Vinyl Hardtop - Which Years?

When I bought my 1964 convertible this year it came with a hardtop. I assume it is not correct for the car because the TM says all were painted body color. It does not have the notches and from what I could gather from the archives most black vinyl references were regarding 1967. I want to find out if I can remove the vinyl and paint it with the car or if there are other differences that would make it not correct.

Jeff--
Check the very corners of the back window (lower rear)--unless the window has been replaced, it should have a month and date code that would indicate if it is a 67 hardtop, a 64 hardtop with vinyl, or something in between. A 67 vinyl top is more desirable/valuable piece than a painted top, so you might be better to sell/trade if that is the case.

[Mike M.]

Re: Black Vinyl Hardtop - Which Years?

Yeah, what Mike said!
Plus, if a '67, it would have a completely different headliner as well.
As Mike suggested, if an original rear window, you can ID the specific month and year.
If a gennie '67, you would benefit best all around with the trading power for a '64 top that matched your car and be money ahead.
HaND

[Wayne M.]

Re: Black Vinyl Hardtop - Which Years?

When I bought my 1964 convertible this year it came with a hardtop. ... It does not have the notches and from what I could gather from the archives most black vinyl references were regarding 1967. I want to find out if I can remove the vinyl and paint it with the car or if there are other differences that would make it not correct.

Jeff -- probably much better off just to sell the top (assuming it's really a '67 [the interior headliner unique to '67 w/pre-molded visor recesses ??? (or does this only apply to the '67 coupe headliner ?)] and is in good condition as is.

Then any old '64-65 top should serve you as a starting point for your 1964 MY needs (interior fiberboard headliner, no notches).

[Fred Y.]

Re: Black Vinyl Hardtop - Which Years?

Jeff,My 67 calls for a vinyl top & I was lucky enough a couple years ago to come across a gentleman from Pa who wanted the 64 top I had in trade for the 67 vinyl he had (that he was about to strip !!) & we traded tops.If yours is indeed a correct 67 trade it to someone who needs the vinyl,that should be easy especially if it's in decent shape!!Plus the fact If I recall only about 2300 cars were ordered with the vinyl.It looks sweet against my Marina blue.

[Jeff B.]

Re: Black Vinyl Hardtop - Which Years?

I compared it with the Nolan Aldams Restoration Guide and it appears to be a 67. I pealed back a corner of the vinyl and there is no paint under it. The window has no markings so it must have been replaced. The other thing that is different is that the vinyl has a single seem down the middle instead on one down each side, but it is a perfect stitch that looks factory. Does anyone know if any vinyl tops came with a single seem? Or has the vinyl been replaced. I guess either way I'll sell it and look for a correct one for 64.

[Jeff B.]

Re: Black Vinyl Hardtop - Which Years?

There are no premolded visor recesses but the interior liner is really nice. It is padded vinyl with front-to-back heat pressed pleats about 1" apart. The top is in excellent condition overall. I'll look for a sell or trade with someone who needs a 67.

[Mike M.]

Re: Black Vinyl Hardtop - Which Years?

No single seams on original vinyl tops.
The headliner sounds like a '61-62.
'63-65 headliners were the pressed board, '66-67 had the smooth foam.
Without any "original" distinguishing characteristics to enhance the value of your top, it looks like you are back to plan "A". You may as well keep your top, strip, paint, install a repo headliner and be good to go.
HaND

[Mike M.]

Re: Black Vinyl Hardtop - Which Years?

Oh, Jeff, I meant to ask...what color was the bare fiberglas under the vinyl?
HaND