Vinyl Roof - when and why?
Discussion
mph said:
grumpy52 said:
Didn't the XJC have a vinyl roof to hide the welding of the modified roof ?
I've heard that repeated many times and never believed it. I think it's simply a styling exercise as used on many other "sporting" models of the day.Given that many coupes have had the vinyl roofs removed and are now painted I think that legend should be put to bed.
The coupe doors are made up of a saloon door with an extra bit welded on to give the width. As Eric would say "you can't see the join". As far as I know none of the coupes had vinyl doors
swisstoni said:
A recent thread got me thinking - who the heck first thought, 'this car just needs it's roof covering in a contrasting layer of textured plastic to finish it off'.
At the time of max popularity it was very thing. It denoted a high spec. It was the S Line of its day
But where did it all start?
Where do you think? With the horse drawn carriage makers that produced many of the car bodies produced before mass production that often had a folding roof. Some very expensive coach-built cars used the contrast and even external metalwork to make it appear a fixed roof car was something it wasn't. It doesn't work with modern cars because the steeply sloping front and rear screens, short boot and bonnet make it look odd but the floating glass line illusion is used commonly with upper rear 1/4 panels clad with glass.At the time of max popularity it was very thing. It denoted a high spec. It was the S Line of its day
But where did it all start?
Textured plastic was the most common but various material have been used. I've even seen white silk. On the right car, with the right vinyl it looks good. The Mk III Ford Cortina is a good example. Even when closely matching the body colour it has the effect of lengthening the car.
We had a Dolomite Sprint in Mimosa with black vinyl roof. It was standard.
In my first company I recall an incident when a number of reps had their Cortina L estates delivered on the same day. On one car the dealer had made a mistake and ordered a vinyl roof which was an non-allowable extra on the company car scheme. Anyway the dealer took the hit. The rep who received the car was ecstatic and could not hide his joy. The others were up in arms complaining to management about the injustice. Vinyl roofs were clearly a big deal in the 70s!
In my first company I recall an incident when a number of reps had their Cortina L estates delivered on the same day. On one car the dealer had made a mistake and ordered a vinyl roof which was an non-allowable extra on the company car scheme. Anyway the dealer took the hit. The rep who received the car was ecstatic and could not hide his joy. The others were up in arms complaining to management about the injustice. Vinyl roofs were clearly a big deal in the 70s!
I remember when we bought ours the salesman recommend we add a "BMW" door mirror as it was tinted! I am pretty certain ours came with a dealer fit radio, Motorola I think. We traded the Sprint in for an Opel Manta SR, nowhere near as quick but a very comfortable and good looking motor.
Back in the mid-80's I had a white Mk 2 Capri which was exactly the same as the one Dennis Waterman drove in Minder - except it didn't have the black vinyl roof that his did. I remember being quite disappointed at the time, now I realise what a prat I'd have looked and am glad I didn't have it!
As a teenager I was very excited when I first saw a mk3 Cortina (1600 GT?) in yellow (sort of primrose light yellow) with the 'tobacco' vinyl roof and a black grille - what a fantastic car that appeared to be, and it was the first car I'd seen with a heated rear window!
We bought a raffle ticket hoping to win the car, and won 5th prize of a pair of binoculars
We bought a raffle ticket hoping to win the car, and won 5th prize of a pair of binoculars
wildcat45 said:
Do you know what that colour is called? As a kid I had a relative with a Manta SR which we called Lillac. Body coloured roof I recall.
O/T. What was the difference between the SR and the Berlinetta?
The colour is polar white.O/T. What was the difference between the SR and the Berlinetta?
Originally the difference in SR & Berlinetta models was essentially the SR had a sports steering wheel, 6 clock dash & suspension tweeks where as the Berlinetta was the luxury model with velour door cards & seats, thicker carpet etc.
In around 1977 the SR & Berlinetta models were combined to become the Manta SR Berlinetta.
Here is a picture of a 1976 Manta Berlinetta interior that i used to own with 3 clock dash & "normal" steering wheel
Here is a picture of my present Manta SR Berlinetta with 6 clock dash & SR wheel.
Cledus Snow said:
I'd put the vinyl roof back on my car if I could get a set of trims for it. They seem to be made of unobtainium.
An update.
I found a set of the 4 flimsy pot metal finisher mouldings. So I've ordered them and a vinyl roof. What the hell, the trims only cost 3 times what the top did.
I blame this thread.
It's good we don't all like the same things. I have to say I like a vinyl roof but it only suits certain cars and a lot can also depend on the colour combination and the trim style.
Some nice cars above, I like the Capri mk2 above but personally think the vinyl option makes it even better! But I'm biased.
Some nice cars above, I like the Capri mk2 above but personally think the vinyl option makes it even better! But I'm biased.
Yeah, interesting thread - good examples clearly show how it lowers and lengthens the look. The all white Capri clearly now has a high, slightly top- heavy roof that would disappear with black vinyl applied, leaving a long sleek belt-line
Edited by ggdrew on Wednesday 18th November 21:04
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