Wednesday 27th July 2011

The Vinyl Roof Returns

Mazda 2 special edition celebrates MX-5 race success with, er, a vinyl roof on a supermini...

---

Mazda is celebrating the success of its MX-5 GT racer (read our 'driven' story on it here) with, er, a vinyl-roofed Mazda 2 special edition.

Okay, so Mazda is also doing the MX-5 Sport Black, distinguished by "unique paint finishes and an enhanced specification", but a special-edition MX-5 is like a wet July - a predictable occurrence. The return of the vinyl roof, however, is something a bit different.

Based on the 84ps, 1.3-litre Tamura model, the Mazda2 Black has matt black 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, privacy glass and a rear bumper sports trim. Inside, there is the Sports interior with climate control, electric rear windows, and unique 'Black Edition' exterior badging, uniquely numbered interior plaque and Limited Edition floor mats.

Yes, we know - you're all deeply excited. But it also adds a black vinyl roof, 1970s Ford Escort-style. Unfortunately, while we wish it looked like this:

Apparently it looks like this:

 

Shame...

[benjalex]

Bet it doesn't have any more power than the boggo 1.3

Another totally pointless Black limited edition.

[Veeayt]

Who said it's gone?

Some cars on US market are still being equipped with it.

[cookie1600]

Now all it needs are some Savage 500 wheel trims......

[ZOLLAR]

Veeayt said:

Who said it's gone?

Some cars on US market are still being equipped with it.

Shudder

[marcosgt]

America doesn't count!

M.

[Pat H]

Mum and Dad seemed pretty keen exponents of the vinyl roof back in the 1970s.

Here are some of their bloaters from back in the day....















I too have sinned.

My second car was a beige 998 Mini with brown vinyl. I'll try to find a pic of it, because it actually looked far nicer than it sounds.

More recently, I owned this 1275GT, which also proudly shows off how good vinyl can look...

[ian_c_uk]

I thought I was imagining things when I spotted a "soft-top" tigra recently...

[louiebaby]

Nice photoshop / MS Paint work there chaps, but would they not vinyl the spoiler but too??? Also, why is Casandra from Only Fools and Horses driving it?

[LuS1fer]

louiebaby said:

Nice photoshop / MS Paint work there chaps, but would they not vinyl the spoiler but too??? Also, why is Casandra from Only Fools and Horses driving it?

Bad photoshop actually as the front pillars were never covered in vinyl.

[Gizmo!]

There was an Audi TT at the Sunday Service with a vinyl roof

[G0ldfysh]

Excellent idea, with modern cars needing to get lighter with less sound deadening the 'Quality' impression needed in cars by brainwashed consumers will be added with a good vinyl roof removing the ring of the metal as doors are shut.

I'm really liking the look of the 300C with the vinyl roof.

[Steamer]

30 years ago I hated the fact we had to speed through the monkey enclosure at the safari park...

..Nowadays, the monkeys have gone and so has the Ghia with prized vinyl roof - but now I understand

[JonnyFive]

Hmm, my brocure doesn't say anything about a vinyl roof.. Just says a black roof.

We're expecting the actual cars very soon so will have a look then.

[Bushi]

I think you are getting your vinyl types mixed up this is simply thin vinyl as in any other car wrap, not a 1970s time warp leather look.

[Riggers]

LuS1fer said:

louiebaby said:

Nice photoshop / MS Paint work there chaps, but would they not vinyl the spoiler but too??? Also, why is Casandra from Only Fools and Horses driving it?

Bad photoshop actually as the front pillars were never covered in vinyl.

Bad Photoshop? MS Paint? The very cheek of it...

I'll have you know that we had a team of graphic artists working on that one for at least three days...

[fangio]

We used to do spray-on versions with masking tape seams.....

[Mac555]

My dad always referred to these as 'Leather Hats' lol

I used to have a MkII RS2000 with a 'Leather Hat', great looking car!!

My dad also informs me, that when he was doing mot's in the 70's and early 80's, people used to put vinyl roofs on to hide rust and corrosion!! lmao

[WreckedGecko]

Did/Do vinyl roofs have any purpose outside of looking 70's cool?

Heat reflecting? Better rust proofing?

Genuine question.

[Gizmo!]

WreckedGecko said:

Did/Do vinyl roofs have any purpose outside of looking 70's cool?

Heat reflecting? Better rust proofing?

Genuine question.

bove, I think - vinyl would absorb heat better than a shiny painted surface (even a black one), and a lot of old Tinas used to get rusty roofs because the moisture got underneath.

The only good vinyl roof is a foldy one.

I'd be surprised if this was more than just a sticker on the roof, though that can be quite nice...

[Pat H]

WreckedGecko said:

Did/Do vinyl roofs have any purpose outside of looking 70's cool?

Heat reflecting? Better rust proofing?

Genuine question.

Nope.

A dark vinyl roof will absorb heat and make the car even hotter.

They are also more susceptible to rot because water gets under the vinyl by capilliary action.

The only useful purpose they serve is as a giant 1970s tablecloth or beermat, so that you could put your pint of Worthington E or your tartan flask on the roof of your Cortina without scratching it or slipping off.

Good for motorised picnics, but little else.