Vinyl top - Yes or no?

[krigel]

I have a 68 Charger, 331 red, with a white vinyl top. Just about to go into paint, and I'm torn about putting the top back on. I think they look way tougher without the vinyl. It has a numbers 383 and 727, stock white interior, but a full hotchkis suspension. Not much else will deviate from stock. Should I put the top back on, or leave it off.

[johnnycharger]

Do you plan to keep it forever? If so make it yours.  If you think you may sell it later go stock....

[Lennard]

Both my 68 and 69 Charger originally had a vinyl top. They both won't get them back after the resto.  I don't think a vinyl top looks good and I always wonder what is hiding under it... rust? bondo?

[krigel]

How tough are they to put on later? I know there are holes to drill, but can you put it on later to sell it if it makes a huge difference in price?

[Laowho]

I wonder what would happen if you just left it up to a vote. For the 70s it shows 91% paid $100 for them, and I've read that they were cheaper to put on than painting (dunno if that's true). Ours is growin on the family despite my (repeated) requests to leave it off after paint, AND I don't like them as moisture traps. Good luck deciding on the fake convertible top. Maybe I'll paint a fake vinyl roof.

[Mopar Nut]

Chargers look better without the vinyl tops in my opinion.



More aerodynamic too!   

[68X426]

I think they look way tougher without the vinyl.

You are correct.  Everything will look better - the chrome, the trim, the paint, the wheels - without the visual distraction of vinyl.

And you gain 25 horsepower as well. 

[garner7555]

I deleted the vinyl top on my car.   If I ever wanted it back on the I could put it over the paint.   I never plan on putting it back on.   

[GOTWING]

I like them on second gen chargers, I like how it helps define the beautiful roof line around the back area.

[charger_fan_4ever]

Guess i'm in the minority. I prefer the vinyl top on 2nd gens. Gator grain 70  

[GOTWING]

 

[Laowho]

Doesn't it depend on the color too? I'm kinda of the impression that w/ B5 Blue we're right on the border...any darker and the vinyl kinda obsolesces, and any lighter and it kinda helps. Then again, watch Bullitt and you'll almost forget that there's vinyl on top. Figure we're screwed either way...but a lot may depend on what we find underneath when we skin it. Also plan on layin paint over black primer to darken it, and will be more free to leave it off if so inclined.

[5hunert]

I'm from the minority that feel Gen 2 Chargers look naked without a vinyl top.  R4 red with a black vinyl top will always get me going.

[Tom68]

Put me down for a yes.  I think the 2nd gen chargers are one of the only cars every made that look good with one. With the huge amount of roof area with the sails and all, I think they do look naked without one.

[krigel]

If my interior were black, I'd put on a black top no question. The issue is a white interior. The white top overpowers the red, the wheels, and the stance. Just trying to justify if it's worth the extra dough to paint the roof or just go back to vinyl.

[GOTWING]

Finish the car with out it, stand back see what ya think, you can always ad it. Or spread a white bed sheet over it when it's done and pretend it's a vinyl top to see if you like it.

[tan top]

 

I like them on second gen chargers, I like how it helps define the beautiful roof line around the back area.

second generations  look awesome with & with out a vinyl top ,    
I prefer  the look of a vinyl top , enhances the shape imo    
if the car was coded for a vinyl top , I would put one  back on  ,   if it never had one from the factory ! would never put one on   ..

[JR]

Personally, I think brightly colored second gens work well with a vinyl roof. You're looking at 18 feet of uninterrupted bright red paint without it.

My 70 is bright yellow, and the black top is a nice contrast to the FY1. The two tone effect is nice too.

But you could always paint the whole car, then decide once its done. It's not hard to add the roof later.

[Back N Black]

I have triple black charger and love the vinyl top. 

[alfaitalia]

No vinyl for me.....I just think they look so much better without them....as it's far from a permanent mod to delete it, it can easily be added back on. To me it interrupts the flow of the lines from the roof to the trunk. On a restomod or pro tourer it just looks wrong and I'm trying to get a modern twist on a classic shape. Nothing modern about a vinyl roof imo. Be hey, each to their own and if it's a b body Charger it's all good...vinyl or not!

[charge69]

I struggled with the decision to go back with a vinyl top or make it a slick-body but, in the end, a decision was made to put one back on the Charger.  I really do like it with the R6 Red body but could really like it without one also.

I guess because mine came with one from the factory, I made the decision to go back with one.  I like the Charger with or without one.

[krigel]

Because it is just about re drilling some holes to attach the trim, I'm going to go without, and then add it in if I need to for re sale down the road. The just look meaner without white vinyl. Thanks for all of your input.

[Laowho]

Because it is just about re drilling some holes to attach the trim, I'm going to go without, and then add it in if I need to for re sale down the road. The just look meaner without white vinyl. Thanks for all of your input.

With the possible sole exception of triple black, hard to disagree. Lotta good points here, and they've all made me live better with ours (that "canvas sails" bit was smart and I'll use it when it comes up next time), but they're all rationalizations. Also think they take away from the haunches, and no doubt that's where some of the meanness sits, and why with triple black you lose the least of it.

[krigel]

Totally agree. Triple black looks great with a vinyl top. White just takes too much attention from everything else.

Cheers,

KR

[CRW-FK5]

If my interior were black, I'd put on a black top no question. The issue is a white interior. The white top overpowers the red, the wheels, and the stance. Just trying to justify if it's worth the extra dough to paint the roof or just go back to vinyl.

I agree with you.  My personal preference is black vinyl.  White seems a little more luxury than performance.  And I think I actually prefer no vinyl over white vinyl.  Certainly just my opinion, though.  For me, it's what I was used to.  You may get used to a white vinyl top.  As said, from a value (resale) standpoint you are better off going with what it came with.

If you can live with keeping the vinyl top trim pieces at the base of the C-pillar along with a painted top, then I would do as some have suggested and paint the whole car including top and evaluate if you want to add the top later.  You do see some cars with painted tops and the trim pieces.  Not sure I like it but may be an alternative.

Good luck.

[Silver R/T]

I have rust issues on my 68 R/T, mostly cause of vinyl top which held in moisture in the window corner and caused rust.
I will not be putting it back on. I really love Charger roof line without vinyl top, looks like exotic car. Vinyl top belongs on grandmas Chrysler or Cadillacs imo.

[CRW-FK5]

I have rust issues on my 68 R/T, mostly cause of vinyl top which held in moisture in the window corner and caused rust.
I will not be putting it back on. I really love Charger roof line without vinyl top, looks like exotic car. Vinyl top belongs on grandmas Chrysler or Cadillacs imo.

I don't really see the rust issue as a concern anymore with these cars, as they simply aren't exposed long enough to the harsh or wet conditions for it to even be a factor.  If you're restoring a car you really should be fine, from a rust standpoint, going with a vinyl top.  To me it's not even part of the equation.

[Lennard]

I have rust issues on my 68 R/T, mostly cause of vinyl top which held in moisture in the window corner and caused rust.
I will not be putting it back on. I really love Charger roof line without vinyl top, looks like exotic car. Vinyl top belongs on grandmas Chrysler or Cadillacs imo.

I don't really see the rust issue as a concern anymore with these cars, as they simply aren't exposed long enough to the harsh or wet conditions for it to even be a factor.  If you're restoring a car you really should be fine, from a rust standpoint, going with a vinyl top.  To me it's not even part of the equation.

For the people who don't just use their car for the local show and shine, (like myself) it is part of the equation. Some people use a car what it was built for in the first place, a daily driver.

[Laowho]

I'm bummed that if I wanna leave it off we have to chuck the original chrome. Can't find it, but there was an AZ storage car that had an awful roof under vinyl after skinning. Guess a lot depended upon pre-top prep? And just cuz it's one of the better lookin vinyl top cars, still doesn't mean it doesn't look better w/o it. Oddly enuf, they did a survey here and it was pretty much split.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=68050.0

Double-darned. Wish it never got started.

[Lennard]

Why do you have to delete the chrome?  It still fits without the vinyl top.

[Laowho]

I read elsewhere here that itsa different drip rail for hard top. Is this wrong? Hard to imagine it remaining so raised. I'll have a better look.

There's this aftermarket

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-68-69-70-Dodge-Charger-Drip-Rail-Moulding-Molding-Trim-Set-Roof-Edge-NEW-/290631314837

Description says, "NOTE: Originally there were two different OEM part numbers for sets of this trim with and without the vinyl top. These reproduction moldings are built to specs in between the original two OEM sets in order to fit applications both with and without a vinyl top."

[Lennard]

All the drip rail moldings are the same for vinyl and non vinyl tops. I know several non vinyl top 68 and 69 chargers with the check mark  moldings ( lower  sail panel) in place.

[Patronus]

No

[JR]

I like painted roofs with the vinyl belt trim installed. I think it complements the lines nicely.

[CRW-FK5]

 

I have rust issues on my 68 R/T, mostly cause of vinyl top which held in moisture in the window corner and caused rust.
I will not be putting it back on. I really love Charger roof line without vinyl top, looks like exotic car. Vinyl top belongs on grandmas Chrysler or Cadillacs imo.

I don't really see the rust issue as a concern anymore with these cars, as they simply aren't exposed long enough to the harsh or wet conditions for it to even be a factor.  If you're restoring a car you really should be fine, from a rust standpoint, going with a vinyl top.  To me it's not even part of the equation.

For the people who don't just use their car for the local show and shine, (like myself) it is part of the equation. Some people use a car what it was built for in the first place, a daily driver.

[Nacho-RT74]

the problem with rusted under vinyl is mostly because assembly plants saved $$$ on paint on Vinyl top cars.

I'm a vinyl top lover, so I'm byassed. Go for it after a good primming ( epoxy if posible ) and paint job on area.

[Kern Dog]

Both my 68 and 69 Charger originally had a vinyl top. They both won't get them back after the resto.  I don't think a vinyl top looks good and I always wonder what is hiding under it... rust? bondo?

I think they can be a nice addition to certain cars but not all. I like GTX models with them, Satellites an Sport Satellites. Charger SE models, maybe 318 or 383 cars. For the most part, I like them on the cars that were not specifically the top performance versions.

My 70 had one but I scraped it off before bodywork began. I see no reason to ever apply one to the car again.

[cdr]

I have rust issues on my 68 R/T, mostly cause of vinyl top which held in moisture in the window corner and caused rust.
I will not be putting it back on. I really love Charger roof line without vinyl top, looks like exotic car. Vinyl top belongs on grandmas Chrysler or Cadillacs imo.

I don't really see the rust issue as a concern anymore with these cars, as they simply aren't exposed long enough to the harsh or wet conditions for it to even be a factor.  If you're restoring a car you really should be fine, from a rust standpoint, going with a vinyl top.  To me it's not even part of the equation.

For the people who don't just use their car for the local show and shine, (like myself) it is part of the equation. Some people use a car what it was built for in the first place, a daily driver.

                                    Me too 

[Dreamcar]

Even though I'm far from having to make the decision (sheet metal is still being replaced), I sometimes wonder what to do with mine...its a numbers 383, Q5 turquoise with white vinyl top and white interior, stainless rocker moldings and wheel moldings. My wife thinks I should put one back on because like another poster said, without it, that's a lot of (i.e. 18ft) of primary color, which in my case is turquoise.

The one thing that seems to bother me is that if I go completely stock with the color and vinyl, only magnum 500 style wheels would look good if I want to go with 17s or 18s. However, I'm not sure I want magnum style wheels. However, without the white top, I feel I can have any wheels and it'll look good.

[Laowho]

"You had me at wife." Just sayin. You're probably gonna stop there. In our case, we'll be painting the whole car anyway and will have several months to decide, if you can call it that.

[krigel]

I'm going to paint the whole thing and fill the holes in. If I have to re drill them at some point to put the trim back on, I will. It's not tough to drill through paint if you are careful. I don't think removing the top is going to make that much of a difference in value. It's not a hemi car...it's a 383. Putting the top back on is easy enough later.

[Troy]

Even though I'm far from having to make the decision (sheet metal is still being replaced), I sometimes wonder what to do with mine...its a numbers 383, Q5 turquoise with white vinyl top and white interior, stainless rocker moldings and wheel moldings. My wife thinks I should put one back on because like another poster said, without it, that's a lot of (i.e. 18ft) of primary color, which in my case is turquoise.

The one thing that seems to bother me is that if I go completely stock with the color and vinyl, only magnum 500 style wheels would look good if I want to go with 17s or 18s. However, I'm not sure I want magnum style wheels. However, without the white top, I feel I can have any wheels and it'll look good.

With that color definitely go with the white top and interior! Of course I'm partial. Will it look as "muscle" as another color without the top? No. But I know a guy with a light yellow 69 with a white top and interior. I call it the "grandma car" - but it's an original Hemi 4-speed so look out! I do like white tops. Particularly on darker colors. They may not scream "performance" but these cars look pretty awesome standing still. Performance is all about what they can do - not how they look. I've seen a ton of cars that look fast but are very tame (my old yellow Barracuda with the 150k mile 318 with A/C and auto trans was one).

Troy

[Dreamcar]

Even though I'm far from having to make the decision (sheet metal is still being replaced), I sometimes wonder what to do with mine...its a numbers 383, Q5 turquoise with white vinyl top and white interior, stainless rocker moldings and wheel moldings. My wife thinks I should put one back on because like another poster said, without it, that's a lot of (i.e. 18ft) of primary color, which in my case is turquoise.

The one thing that seems to bother me is that if I go completely stock with the color and vinyl, only magnum 500 style wheels would look good if I want to go with 17s or 18s. However, I'm not sure I want magnum style wheels. However, without the white top, I feel I can have any wheels and it'll look good.

With that color definitely go with the white top and interior! Of course I'm partial. Will it look as "muscle" as another color without the top? No. But I know a guy with a light yellow 69 with a white top and interior. I call it the "grandma car" - but it's an original Hemi 4-speed so look out! I do like white tops. Particularly on darker colors. They may not scream "performance" but these cars look pretty awesome standing still. Performance is all about what they can do - not how they look. I've seen a ton of cars that look fast but are very tame (my old yellow Barracuda with the 150k mile 318 with A/C and auto trans was one).

Troy

You make an excellent point Troy. I'm likely going to put it back on. If my numbers engine block checks out as rebuildable, then I will likely stick with the tag and have the white top. The wheel choice will just be a little more limited as far as finding something that I think works together.

[Laowho]

We have some 906 heads for engine bay correct, and the original jack, so might go with a black top change-up if it goes that far. (Black dash helps.)