Vinyl Top

[Hi Rev V8]

I have a 1968 RS L30/M20 that has been in the family since 1970.  The car is in excellent condition except for the white vinyl top.  The car is black with a red interior, which looks great.  There is some bubbling of the vinyl top near the rear window, so I am assuming there has been water under the vinyl top and I have corrosion in this area.  Does anyone have experience in getting rid of the vinyl top and then restoring the top, and then painting it.  I have never liked the vinyl top.  Any suggestions?  I have experience with body work and painting, but have never dealt with a vinyl top.  Thanks for any suggestions.

[camaronut]

I would take the car to a qualified restoration shop or a super decent body shop, and have them do the work.  When it comes to rust on that part of the car - better have a pro look at it.
My 2 cents.

[Sauron327]

If you have bodywork experience then rip off the top and repair the rusted areas. I'm going to guess the Dutchman panel is rotten. I own a resto shop and have replaced numerous of those panels. I don't do my vinyl tops anymore, I sub it out. Too many other things to do. Use the search engine here. I think there was someone who posted a step by step on vinyl top installation. Probably plastered all over Youtube as well.

[Hi Rev V8]

Thanks.  Useful information.   I am not intending to replace the vinyl top.

[Kelley W King]

I don,t really like vinyl tops either but black on red with a white top if factory colors would seem to be kind of a rare combo to do away with. Also the studs that hold the molding on are a pain to patch for painting.

[Hi Rev V8]

Hi Kelley:

This is a good point that you raise.  The black on red is original, as well as the white vinyl top.  My father bought the car in 1970.  I am sure that there were not many L30 cars with this color combo. 

[cook_dw]

Post up some photos.  We all enjoy seeing cool 1st gens.  Especially 68's..   


If you can't figure out how to post them just shoot me an email with them in it and I'll post them up for you. 


darrellwadecook@gmail.com

[Hi Rev V8]

Hi Darrell:

Some photos of my 68.

[Hi Rev V8]

Hi Darrell:

I tried putting 4 photos but I probably went over the 500 kB max size  Another photo.

[cook_dw]

Great looking car.  I see the engine has been sprayed.  What's the plans for it?  Put back to original or something else?  Also is the interior still original?  I see its red deluxe (742)  I know you mentioned it had one repaint many years ago.   Here's some other photos Lorne sent me via email.  Its a cool car.  I personally wouldn't touch it just clean and preserve the best you can until you get to the point you want or have to restore it.  These cars are waaay cooler if kept as found or as close to unrestored as possible.  At least in my book.

[z28z11]

I’m right there with Mr. Cook - such a unique and cool combination, I think you’d be better off to preserve it, or repair it and keep the combination of original colors the same. It’s a striking little car, I think it’s well worth keeping it original. My L78 had a vinyl top, removed long before it cam here,as did my ‘67 Nova. They are a pain, but they are going back as original-

JMO -

Regards,
Steve

[x66 714]

I agree with Darrell. This car is way too cool to do anything but preserve what you have & maybe find some the items that are incorrect, like the master cyl. If you decide on another vinyl top, which I'm in favor of, the reproductions have the seams in the wrong place. SMS in Canby Oregon can make a more correct vinyl top....Joe

[camaronut]

Now THAT is cool. 

[maroman]

I agree.

[Hi Rev V8]

Thanks Darrell for posting photos of my car.  I tried inserting an image, but could only load one at a time.  Darrell, if you have some time can you please let me know how to do it properly.
Thanks to everyone for their comments.  Since this appears to be a rather rare color combination, I am rethinking getting rid of the white vinyl top.  This is a Canadian car so I am checking with Vintage Vehicles Service (thanks Darrell) to see if I can come up with details on the car.
The interior is in excellent condition.   I will take some photos on the weekend and post.  The only non-original parts on the car are the master cylinder, replacement AC Delco alternator, replacement water pump, and voltage regulator.   Everything else is completely original.  I recently rebuilt the original Q-Jet (mostly original 68 parts and a few from a 72/73 Q-Jet).  The car has 114 K original miles.   The painting of engine components was simply to improve appearance back to original.  I still have a lot of detailing to do on the engine compartment and engine.  The cylinder heads have been off once to replace valve stem seals.  The engine is strong, and has excellent compression, so I intend to keep it completely stock.  The clutch has been replaced once many years ago.  I never liked the replacement master cylinder and that is on my list to replace with an original style unit.