vinyl top removal?

[Snail50]

I'm looking for a 67 or 68 coupe, and I keep finding ones with vinyl tops, an option which I don't particularly care for. I'd hate to pass on a good car simply because of one unwanted option, especially if the car fits all of my other criteria.
How easy is it to remove a vinyl top? Are there lots of holes to fill? ONce it is removed, can the uncovered roof be prepped and painted with the end result that it looks like it never had a vinyl top?
Thanks all.

 

[streetstang67]

Some people like them, some people hate them, I think you can make a vinyl top look good with certain color schemes. But if you must remove it, the only holes that must be filled are the holes holding on the trip piece where the vinyl stops and paint starts. The top itself is glued into place and tucked into the weatherstripping around the windshield and back glass.

 

[bnickel]

yes there will be holes to fill. also the top under the vinyl is usually not prepped as well as one that didn't have the vinyl, at least that was the case on mine, the seams where the roof meets the quarters and the windshield pillars wasn't as smooth as a car that was ordered without the vinyl top, i gues the assembly workers didn't take as much time to make everything as smooth since it was going to covered up anyway. my recommendation is that if you find one that meets all you're other criteria it would be fine to get one with a vinyl top as long as you are planning the whole car anyway due to the extra prep work involved in smoothing those seams.another thing you need to watch out for is rust, they are notorious for rusting under the 2 seams on the vinyl top as well as the areas around the front and back glass and the drip rails too. mine has rust in all of those areas which is one reason i decided to put the vinyl top back on, so it will hide some of the repair work that has been done. if you find an otherwise rust free car though it really isn't that big a deal, besides i look the look of the vinyl top myself, it really sets off a nice paint job i think

 

[Snail50]

Thanks for the replies. If I were to remove the vinyl top, it would be for a new paint job. However, seeing pics of sharp-looking cars like Streetstang67's make me realize that a vinyl top can look really good. Maybe deep black or maroon....

 

[bnickel]

i'm going with the same basic scheme as streetstang67's on my 69 gt coupe, acapulco blue with a black vinyl top, i'm also going to with the flat black mach 1 style hood and boss 302 blackout on the headlight buckets and taillight panel along with black gt stripes on the rockers. i'm also planning on a shelby convertible decklid and end caps with the spoiler and shelby side scoops too. i hope it looks as nice as i think it will when i'm done, i've never seen another 69 coupe done like that

 

[Snail50]

Right now I'm considering a 68 Coupe with factory A/C, deluxe interior, turn signal hood, many GT upgrades (rims, gas cap, lower rear valance with dual/dual exhaust cutouts), and vinyl top. Sounds good, seller seems friendly and forthcoming with info; I hope to look at it next weekend.