|
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 159
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 159 |
Have any of you regretted not installing the vinyl top ? I am not sure if I like the look and besides removing the studs, is anything else needed to be done by not installing it ?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,338 Likes: 3
Premium Member
|
|
Premium Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,338 Likes: 3 |
Have any of you regretted not installing the vinyl top ? I am not sure if I like the look and besides removing the studs, is anything else needed to be done by not installing it ? I couldn't wait to get my new one on my 400 coupe. If you don't re-install, all you need to do is take out the rivets and fill the four trim holes. Pretty simple. Some members in the south hate them because the high humidity or sea salt tends to get under them and causes rust. But up here in the midwest, not many issues.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold  1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,480
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,480 |
I would say keep it just for the fact that I rarely see them.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,161 Likes: 51
Administrator
|
|
Administrator
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,161 Likes: 51 |
Don't see many on 1st Generation Birds.
Saw one on a black 1st Gen in Greeley, Colorado two weeks ago and liked the look.
Jim
'68 400HO Conv.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,458
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,458 |
My car didn't have a vinyl top when i got it but i had one installed last year,For me i love the look.
Harry 69 Firebird   _________________________________________________ 1969 firebird 350/auto 2012 mustang v6 (wifes car) 2012 jeep compass (winter vehicle) 2008 dodge ram 4x4 Hemi
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,338 Likes: 3
Premium Member
|
|
Premium Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,338 Likes: 3 |
For me, the right color combination gives the car a classic look verses a painted roof. hslager's is a perfect example of BEAUTIFUL!
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,758
FGF Premium Member
|
|
FGF Premium Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,758 |
Looks very sharp. Like it better than 2 tone paint.
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 159
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 159 |
Mine would be the matador red with parchment top, I wonder how dirty the top would get over time
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 558
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 558 |
Sounds like a statement from Captain Obvious but unless you are doing this to bring your car back to the way it came from the factory leave it up to your personal preference. Typically I do not like vinyl tops but have seen them look really nice too. Take the photo from hslager69 for example.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,157
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,157 |
My car didn't have a vinyl top when i got it but i had one installed last year,For me i love the look. Dude, your car looks awesome... love that black vinyl top... really sharp!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,458
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,458 |
Mine would be the matador red with parchment top, I wonder how dirty the top would get over time I think a parchment top would stay clean considering how we care for these cars today,rarely driven in the rain and garaged 99% of the time. Plus with todays vinyl protection products and cleaners i wouldnt worry all that much about it. P.S Thanks guys on the compliments on my car.
Harry 69 Firebird _________________________________________________ 1969 firebird 350/auto 2012 mustang v6 (wifes car) 2012 jeep compass (winter vehicle) 2008 dodge ram 4x4 Hemi
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 104
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 104 |
I would keep the vinyl its like an extra special option to your car. Plus most of the time when you dont put them back on the window frame trim moldings especially the rear window will have this large gap. Ask around the chevy camaro guys will tell you about the gap in between the body and trim. Vinyl tops look good and there very affordable to have replaced. Buuut I honestly prefer the black vinyl only.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 558
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 558 |
[quote=bil1024] Thanks guys on the compliments on my car. Seriously your's is one of the sharpest cars I've seen with vinyl top.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,567
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,567 |
I have been tossing this idea around too. Love the look. Seems so 60's to me. I would probably go with a black on my car but the parchment top Joe put on that Lemans looked really nice.
1968 Firebird 428 4 speed coupe  2011 Camaro 1LT 1988 Corvette roadster 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic 1984 Harley FLH Shovelhead 2001 Harley Ultra Classic
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 159
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 159 |
Anyone have a pic of a red car with parchment top ?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 11
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 11 |
Ok I have been thinking about putting mine back on. The pins have been removed. Is there a process to get new ones installed?
I love working on cars when they are mine. I've had muscle cars all my life. 72 Lemans, 67 Chevelle SS 396, 76 Trans Am, and now 68 Firebird
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,338 Likes: 3
Premium Member
|
|
Premium Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,338 Likes: 3 |
The pins have been removed. Is there a process to get new ones installed?
You can screw the snap clips onto the body. You don't need the studs. There are two holes drilled through the top of the quarter for the trim studs to screw to from underneath.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 82
Premium Member
|
|
Premium Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 82 |
John  
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics35,546
Posts298,899
Members8,865
| |
Most Online19,810
Feb 1st, 2026
|
|
|
0 members (),
158
guests, and
17
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|
