Styling Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ChevLoRay · 01-18-2003, 07:17 PM

I was looking at a magazine that featured the designer of the '67 trucks at GM. One of the illustrations looked like the truck cab roof was covered in black vinyl. I know that the late 60's and early-mid 70's had a rash of styling trends, one of which was vinyl tops as aftermarket items. This led me to wonder if anyone has ever had, or has seen, or has a picture of a '67-72 with a vinyl top?

In my opinion, to be period-correct, it would have to have two seams to have the "correct" appearance of a factory vinyl top. I also think it should have the chrome trim on the rain gutter, as well as the chrome trim found below the rear window on two-tone truck cabs.

So, what do you think and has anyone see one, or have a picture of one?

I kinda thought (briefly) about going back to black on my truck (original color), then adding a vinyl top (with the afore-mentioned chrome trim) and maybe even using '68 side trim on the body (I like it better than the upper/lower trim on the '69-72's. If you add chrome front/rear bumpers, a '71-72 outer grille, then use a nice billet insert with the parking lights hidden behind the grille....well, you now have my interpretation of a "classy" classic. I would also use a flip kit to reverse the handle on the tailgate, and add the bright trim on the tailgate, but use the lower trim piece in both places on the tailgate. Relocating the gas tank and using a late '70's van gas filler door would finish the clean-up of the body. A set of 17-inch Colorado Custom Slater-6 wheels would add the sparkle needed to finish it off. Since my truck is already lowered and has a disc brake conversion, I would think it wouldn't look too shabby....if, and only if, it was done.

XXL · 01-18-2003, 09:12 PM

I am familiar with the article you're talking about, and I understand what you're describing... but I just can't buy into the vinyl top personally. Maybe it was that '72 RS Camaro I had briefly in high school, or that '67 Chrysler 500 my dad drove forever. Or maybe it was watching Moritz Cadillac's make-ready department slap carriage roof after carriage roof on their Caddys back in the '80's. Whatever it is...

Having said that, I'm a big fan of "unique" so don't let me hold you back on the idea!

Kenneth

Bamm · 01-18-2003, 09:13 PM

I like your choice of wheels and relocating the tank, but IMHO the vinyl idea sounds like crap. To each his own, but I just can't see it. Later............Jerry

chevy2racr · 01-19-2003, 01:27 AM

I thought we've had a couple pics posted before that looked like a vinal top on a truck, anyone remeber?

PanelDeland · 01-19-2003, 11:38 AM

I've seen one with a fake spray on vinyl top.It was not well done and I personally didn't like it.I have seen some later model trucks with vinyl tops and filled or partially filled rear windows.Some of them were pretty nice but I just don't care for the style.I think it stems from all the peelers I've seen over the years.

**fine69** · 01-19-2003, 11:45 AM

Heck with the idea. Get someone to put paint on the top, and put chipguard on/in it. Like they used to do on the bottom of the vehicle. Same effect.

ozarkhippie · 01-19-2003, 12:04 PM

I don't recall a 72 or older, but a friend of mine had a 73 pu. with a vinyl top. He doesn't know if it was dealer or fact.installed. His dad bought the brand new. We never understood why it had a vinyl top. It was a low option everyday looking truck.

ChevLoRay · 01-19-2003, 02:35 PM

Hey! I appreciate the feedback. That's what we do here.

I, too, have seen more than a few of the "peelers", and spray-on fake vinyl roofs in my time. Carriage roofs? Yeah. Kiddilacs, Town Cars, Imperials...Impalas, LTD's....we've all seen 'em. You can chrome-plate a turd, and what do you have? It's still a turd. So, with that said, my opinion is IF anyone was inclined to put a vinyl top on a 67-72, it would make more sense (my opinion, remember) to use a small-window '67, for that "limousine/luxury" look that you'd be trying to achieve. Heck, go ahead and add the fake top bows, ala carriage roof jobs, to give it the "look" of a folding top. That's what GM was doing when it introduced them in '63 ('62???). The top styling was done to emulate a convertible, so adding the vinyl to the top just heightened the effect.

As for limousines, they don't have a choice about putting vinyl on them....they stretch them so much that the roof has to flex. Any filler/lead would crack and pop. The vinyl lets the body flex without it showing. The top of our trucks (not extended conversions) shouldn't have that problem. Besides, it was just a rhetorical question. I didn't say I was going to do it.

Ackattack · 01-19-2003, 03:13 PM

I don't like vinyl tops on anything. A friend of mine has an old mustang with a vinyl top that he says is pretty rare....if it was mine I would have ripped it off rare or not. I wasn't around in that period, so maybe that's why I don't like them...I don't know.

01-18-2003, 07:17 PM	#1
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Styling Question I was looking at a magazine that featured the designer of the '67 trucks at GM. One of the illustrations looked like the truck cab roof was covered in black vinyl. I know that the late 60's and early-mid 70's had a rash of styling trends, one of which was vinyl tops as aftermarket items. This led me to wonder if anyone has ever had, or has seen, or has a picture of a '67-72 with a vinyl top? In my opinion, to be period-correct, it would have to have two seams to have the "correct" appearance of a factory vinyl top. I also think it should have the chrome trim on the rain gutter, as well as the chrome trim found below the rear window on two-tone truck cabs. So, what do you think and has anyone see one, or have a picture of one? I kinda thought (briefly) about going back to black on my truck (original color), then adding a vinyl top (with the afore-mentioned chrome trim) and maybe even using '68 side trim on the body (I like it better than the upper/lower trim on the '69-72's. If you add chrome front/rear bumpers, a '71-72 outer grille, then use a nice billet insert with the parking lights hidden behind the grille....well, you now have my interpretation of a "classy" classic. I would also use a flip kit to reverse the handle on the tailgate, and add the bright trim on the tailgate, but use the lower trim piece in both places on the tailgate. Relocating the gas tank and using a late '70's van gas filler door would finish the clean-up of the body. A set of 17-inch Colorado Custom Slater-6 wheels would add the sparkle needed to finish it off. Since my truck is already lowered and has a disc brake conversion, I would think it wouldn't look too shabby....if, and only if, it was done. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

01-18-2003, 09:12 PM	#2
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	I am familiar with the article you're talking about, and I understand what you're describing... but I just can't buy into the vinyl top personally. Maybe it was that '72 RS Camaro I had briefly in high school, or that '67 Chrysler 500 my dad drove forever. Or maybe it was watching Moritz Cadillac's make-ready department slap carriage roof after carriage roof on their Caddys back in the '80's. Whatever it is... Having said that, I'm a big fan of "unique" so don't let me hold you back on the idea! Kenneth __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

01-18-2003, 09:13 PM	#3
Bamm Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amelia, Virginia Posts: 2,921	I like your choice of wheels and relocating the tank, but IMHO the vinyl idea sounds like crap. To each his own, but I just can't see it. Later............Jerry __________________ 1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS

01-19-2003, 01:27 AM	#4
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	I thought we've had a couple pics posted before that looked like a vinal top on a truck, anyone remeber? __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

01-19-2003, 11:38 AM	#5
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	I've seen one with a fake spray on vinyl top.It was not well done and I personally didn't like it.I have seen some later model trucks with vinyl tops and filled or partially filled rear windows.Some of them were pretty nice but I just don't care for the style.I think it stems from all the peelers I've seen over the years. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

01-19-2003, 11:45 AM	#6
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	Heck with the idea. Get someone to put paint on the top, and put chipguard on/in it. Like they used to do on the bottom of the vehicle. Same effect.

01-19-2003, 12:04 PM	#7
ozarkhippie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Eureka Springs AR Posts: 494	I don't recall a 72 or older, but a friend of mine had a 73 pu. with a vinyl top. He doesn't know if it was dealer or fact.installed. His dad bought the brand new. We never understood why it had a vinyl top. It was a low option everyday looking truck. __________________ Buy Sale or Trade 71 3/4 4x4 72 1/2 ton cheyenne 4x4

01-19-2003, 02:35 PM	#8
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	....it's kinda retro, but... Hey! I appreciate the feedback. That's what we do here. I, too, have seen more than a few of the "peelers", and spray-on fake vinyl roofs in my time. Carriage roofs? Yeah. Kiddilacs, Town Cars, Imperials...Impalas, LTD's....we've all seen 'em. You can chrome-plate a turd, and what do you have? It's still a turd. So, with that said, my opinion is IF anyone was inclined to put a vinyl top on a 67-72, it would make more sense (my opinion, remember) to use a small-window '67, for that "limousine/luxury" look that you'd be trying to achieve. Heck, go ahead and add the fake top bows, ala carriage roof jobs, to give it the "look" of a folding top. That's what GM was doing when it introduced them in '63 ('62???). The top styling was done to emulate a convertible, so adding the vinyl to the top just heightened the effect. As for limousines, they don't have a choice about putting vinyl on them....they stretch them so much that the roof has to flex. Any filler/lead would crack and pop. The vinyl lets the body flex without it showing. The top of our trucks (not extended conversions) shouldn't have that problem. Besides, it was just a rhetorical question. I didn't say I was going to do it. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

01-19-2003, 03:13 PM	#9
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	I don't like vinyl tops on anything. A friend of mine has an old mustang with a vinyl top that he says is pretty rare....if it was mine I would have ripped it off rare or not. I wasn't around in that period, so maybe that's why I don't like them...I don't know. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index



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