soft top question
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,463
Likes: 1,889
From: Folsom CA
I learned 1966 and 1967 had steel front support bows. The older tops had an aluminum front support bow. The first one that attaches to the windshield. A simple magnet test can rule out the older ones. You need to check at least 4 inches off the corner of the windshield moving towards the middle of the windshield. The corners appear to have metal in both designs I have seen.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15,300
Likes: 2,262
From: NorCal
Well, yes, sorta. The originals had a date stamp and code embossed into the clear plastic window material at the lower right (passenger side) rear corner, and a manufactures tag attached to the fabric.
However, those are now copied/reproduced on some high end replacement tops.
Others may know how to tell the difference; I don't. If it looks brand new with no wear and tear after 50+ years, it's probably a replacement and not the original top.......
However, those are now copied/reproduced on some high end replacement tops.
Others may know how to tell the difference; I don't. If it looks brand new with no wear and tear after 50+ years, it's probably a replacement and not the original top.......
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,265
Likes: 2,131
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Well, yes, sorta. The originals had a date stamp and code embossed into the clear plastic window material at the lower right (passenger side) rear corner, and a manufactures tag attached to the fabric.
However, those are now copied/reproduced on some high end replacement tops.
Others may know how to tell the difference; I don't. If it looks brand new with no wear and tear after 50+ years, it's probably a replacement and not the original top.......
However, those are now copied/reproduced on some high end replacement tops.
Others may know how to tell the difference; I don't. If it looks brand new with no wear and tear after 50+ years, it's probably a replacement and not the original top.......
A fifty year old top would definitely show it's age: wear, tears, yellowing, etc. This combined with the rear window date and VINYLITE manufacturing logo should tell the truth. The factory original front bow vinyl header strip is also special/unique grain fabric and not always duplicated.Larry
Last edited by Powershift; Sep 29, 2017 at 02:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,686
Likes: 657
From: Blairsville , Georgia
Excellent this will help me identify it for sure. It is very old looking and presents as if it might be original. The VINYLITE logo should let me know for sure. I will report back.
Jay
Jay
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,744
Likes: 2,379
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
Jay,
I would study the top to see if it matches the wear, tear, and weathering of the rest of the car.
For example, if the car was kept top up in a climate controlled garage for 50 years it might look pretty new, otherwise not so much.
FWIW, my '65s top is dated 1983 and looks really really good for a 34 year old white top, and the vinyl window is still clear. Go figure. The other thing is that my car was apparently restored or at least tidied up around 1983 by looking at other dated parts and the general appearance of the paint. What I'm trying to say here is that the top matches the car's general appearance.
I would study the top to see if it matches the wear, tear, and weathering of the rest of the car.
For example, if the car was kept top up in a climate controlled garage for 50 years it might look pretty new, otherwise not so much.
FWIW, my '65s top is dated 1983 and looks really really good for a 34 year old white top, and the vinyl window is still clear. Go figure. The other thing is that my car was apparently restored or at least tidied up around 1983 by looking at other dated parts and the general appearance of the paint. What I'm trying to say here is that the top matches the car's general appearance.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,686
Likes: 657
From: Blairsville , Georgia
Jay,
I would study the top to see if it matches the wear, tear, and weathering of the rest of the car.
For example, if the car was kept top up in a climate controlled garage for 50 years it might look pretty new, otherwise not so much.
FWIW, my '65s top is dated 1983 and looks really really good for a 34 year old white top, and the vinyl window is still clear. Go figure. The other thing is that my car was apparently restored or at least tidied up around 1983 by looking at other dated parts and the general appearance of the paint. What I'm trying to say here is that the top matches the car's general appearance.
I would study the top to see if it matches the wear, tear, and weathering of the rest of the car.
For example, if the car was kept top up in a climate controlled garage for 50 years it might look pretty new, otherwise not so much.
FWIW, my '65s top is dated 1983 and looks really really good for a 34 year old white top, and the vinyl window is still clear. Go figure. The other thing is that my car was apparently restored or at least tidied up around 1983 by looking at other dated parts and the general appearance of the paint. What I'm trying to say here is that the top matches the car's general appearance.
Thanks everyone
Jay
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,265
Likes: 2,131
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Jay,
I would study the top to see if it matches the wear, tear, and weathering of the rest of the car.
For example, if the car was kept top up in a climate controlled garage for 50 years it might look pretty new, otherwise not so much.
FWIW, my '65s top is dated 1983 and looks really really good for a 34 year old white top, and the vinyl window is still clear. Go figure. The other thing is that my car was apparently restored or at least tidied up around 1983 by looking at other dated parts and the general appearance of the paint. What I'm trying to say here is that the top matches the car's general appearance.
I would study the top to see if it matches the wear, tear, and weathering of the rest of the car.
For example, if the car was kept top up in a climate controlled garage for 50 years it might look pretty new, otherwise not so much.
FWIW, my '65s top is dated 1983 and looks really really good for a 34 year old white top, and the vinyl window is still clear. Go figure. The other thing is that my car was apparently restored or at least tidied up around 1983 by looking at other dated parts and the general appearance of the paint. What I'm trying to say here is that the top matches the car's general appearance.
Now my replacement top on my 1967 car for the last 23 years looks almost new. Unfortunately that is due to limited use and garage storage. My rear window looks like day 1.
Larry
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,265
Likes: 2,131
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
I know I didn't care one way or the other back then about a convertible window logo. Now, I try to get it correct as possible.
Larry