Vinyl

[JMF]

Are 1968 - 1970 Chargers that used to have vinyl tops but now are normal to be avoided? Is it best to get a Charger that was a non vinyl top originally than one that's had the vinyl removed in the past? Or does this not matter?

[Doc74]

It would matter since the vinyl top cars were more prone to rust under the top, there's plenty chargers with everything from pinholes to seriously big holes in the roof because of a top. And since water follows the laws of gravity...
That said, there's also v top cars that are in general better condition than a non top car and tops could have been removed or added later.
I'd say if you find one with a top and the car is generally rusty, you'll most likely have swiss cheese under the top.
2nd gen chargers don't grow on trees so you can't exactly pick one like you once could, more easily anyway and I wouldn't be turned off by a v top car, it's always fixable.

[JMF]

Thanks, there's one that I might buy that is a lot of money and is show condition, it used to have a vinyl top and now is just normal, it still has the chrome bits near where the vinyl was

[Silver R/T]

vinyl top car would be more expensive when you sell it

[JMF]

Really? I thought non vinyl top cars were more rarer and desirable? Although when I come to buy one it won't bother me if it has vinyl or if it's just normal

[BigBlockSam]

i like vinyl top cars more then non vinyl top cars. unless it's a Daytona

[terrible one]

Sorry to hijack, but did a vinyl top delete cost money?

[Ghoste]

Vinyl top was not standard so there was no delete.  You had to pay to get it.

[tan top]

i like vinyl top cars more then non vinyl top cars. unless it's a Daytona

  to me it seams the 68-70 charger shape is enhanced with vinyl top ,  more so than the other body styles

[Ghoste]

Personally I even find that on other body styles, a vinyl top is unattractive in many cases. 

[JMF]

Is there a way of telling before removing the vinyl if it will be rusty under there?

[terrible one]

Is there a way of telling before removing the vinyl if it will be rusty under there?

Some possible signs will be bubbling and "lumps" under the top.

[Silver R/T]

Personally I even find that on other body styles, a vinyl top is unattractive in many cases. 

I agree

[JimShine]

Also look for shrinkage of the vinyl. I personally believe that stress on the seams had an effect that allowed water through. I have a 70 Coronet I removed the original top from. The edges pulled away and the seams were undisturbed. The roof was factory fresh underneath. On my 69 the seams were distorted. When the top came off it had pin holes along the seams where water got in. The body on the Charger was far less rusty than the Coronet too.

[bandit67]

I like vinyl tops and always put them back on factory cars. One must remember that when our cars were built they were never intended to be used more than a few years and most all cars sat out in the weather, rain and sun are most destructive. Time and the elements did their thing. But today , most of the cars that we cherish are kept  out of the weather as much as possible. Vinyl tops replaced with the correct repairs done underneath will last a long time .........just my two cents ............

[Ghoste]

Absolutely Bandit, they weren't finished under the vinyl either so even just sweating under the vinyl would have been enough to get the rust started.  I also think that most of these tops and the roof metal under them will last a lot longer this time around.

[roger01]

under my vynal was fine not a spot of rust.....but it did also have  original paint colormisted on  under there

[Ghoste]

You lucked out then because most of them were bare metal.

[JMF]

Personally if I was restoring a Charger I would choose not to put the vinyl back on, it just seems too much of a water trap, and they look better without in my opinion

[roger01]

believe me ...i know.... i was praying while taking it off