69 Chevelle Vinyl top

[Donnie]

need pictures of Original 69 Chevelle Vinyl tops. need to see the part under the back glass where the seams are located. need to be 100% positive its Original.
dont matter if its tornen up just need to see the seams.

and please dont send me to the car thats in the For Sale section. I dont beleive its top is original.

[Charley Lillard]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2013/02/full-23-2668-003.jpg
you will need to zoom in

[Donnie]

Thanks Charley.

[Postsedan]

Is the "Problem" you stated your having? What is the problem?

Dan

[Donnie]

I'll be talking to you soon Dan.

[Postsedan]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Donnie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'll be talking to you soon Dan. </div></div>

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[L78M22Rag]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is the &quot;Problem&quot; you stated your having? What is the problem?

Dan </div></div>

Donnie, I suspect you've discovered that the reproduction vinyl top seams are not in the right place. The vinyl top seams should be directly over the factory filler panel seams.

All that's left of my vinyl top is the seams... is this top torn up enough for ya? Fortunately you can see both the seams in the metal and the top.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg155/helmuteckert/chevelle037_zpse12c76ce.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg155/helmuteckert/chevelle038_zpsb04201f7.jpg

[Donnie]

Thanks Helmut.
what started this post was the original 69 in the for sale section. stating it has the original top.
so, I had to make sure I knew what I thought I knew. and you and Charley have confirmed it.

[L78M22Rag]

I agree about the top on the car in the classifieds... Nice car though.

I'd like to replace the vinyl top on my 1969 Chevelle (apparently it needs it), but I'd like to do it properly. Has anyone altered the location of the seams on the repro vinyl tops? Also, the repro vinyl tops are softer (have more padding than original. Perhaps that is just a matter of age... Is there any way to change that?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Charlie, that is an absolutely gorgeous 1969 Chevelle!

[Postsedan]

Helmut,

It`s Charley, not Charlie.

Charley`s former Rallye Green 1969 Chevelle now resides in The Beautiful State of Illinois <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[Donnie]

Helmut,
the SMS tops dont have the padding they are like original. but the two bottom seams will have to be moved about 4&quot; outward.

[Bill Rose]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: L78M22Rag</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree about the top on the car in the classifieds... Nice car though.

I'd like to replace the vinyl top on my 1969 Chevelle (apparently it needs it), but I'd like to do it properly. Has anyone altered the location of the seams on the repro vinyl tops? Also, the repro vinyl tops are softer (have more padding than original. Perhaps that is just a matter of age... Is there any way to change that?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Charlie, that is an absolutely gorgeous 1969 Chevelle! </div></div>

It's a fairly simple process, to relocate the lower seams ( above the deck lid) on a vinyl top. First you have to start with the correct vinyl. The cheap tops with the felt padding are junk. I use SMS tops. They have the correct material, but when they fabricate the top, the seams are not in the correct location.

I just cut that piece off the SMS top, and use the extra vinyl the hangs down the quarter panel, to make a new piece, that goes between the trunk lid, and the rear window. I just fold the ends over, then glue them down. You can also use some heat on the fold over part, to get a tighter/flatter seam.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: L78M22Rag</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is the &quot;Problem&quot; you stated your having? What is the problem?

Dan </div></div>

Donnie, I suspect you've discovered that the reproduction vinyl top seams are not in the right place. The vinyl top seams should be directly over the factory filler panel seams.

All that's left of my vinyl top is the seams... is this top torn up enough for ya? Fortunately you can see both the seams in the metal and the top.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg155/helmuteckert/chevelle037_zpse12c76ce.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg155/helmuteckert/chevelle038_zpsb04201f7.jpg </div></div>

Hi Helmut,

Was this top white?

Ryan

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Rose</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: L78M22Rag</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree about the top on the car in the classifieds... Nice car though.

I'd like to replace the vinyl top on my 1969 Chevelle (apparently it needs it), but I'd like to do it properly. Has anyone altered the location of the seams on the repro vinyl tops? Also, the repro vinyl tops are softer (have more padding than original. Perhaps that is just a matter of age... Is there any way to change that?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Charlie, that is an absolutely gorgeous 1969 Chevelle! </div></div>

It's a fairly simple process, to relocate the lower seams ( above the deck lid) on a vinyl top. First you have to start with the correct vinyl. The cheap tops with the felt padding are junk. I use SMS tops. They have the correct material, but when they fabricate the top, the seams are not in the correct location.

I just cut that piece off the SMS top, and use the extra vinyl the hangs down the quarter panel, to make a new piece, that goes between the trunk lid, and the rear window. I just fold the ends over, then glue them down. You can also use some heat on the fold over part, to get a tighter/flatter seam. </div></div>

Great information,

Do you have pictures?

I have seen a few of the puffy tops and they look poor.

Ryan

[Bill Rose]

Here's a shot of my 68, with the SMS top

http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee335/wrrose/100_2683-1_zps6323e058.jpg

[L78M22Rag]

That looks perfect!

The top on my Monaco Orange Chevelle was black.

[L78M22Rag]

Sorry Charley!!!

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

WOW that SMS top looks perfect.

Looks very original (original is good)

Ryan

[foster]

I GUESS YOU LEARN SOMTHING EVERY DAY MAYBE,, BUT I GUESS IF YOU WERE ON THE ASSEMBLE LINE OR NEW SOMEONE YOU WOULD KNOW 100% IAM SAY REALLY LOOKS LIGHT THE ORIGINAL BUT GUESSS YOU GUYS KNOW THANK YOU FOSTER

[Postsedan]

Foster,

It`s always good to learn something every day. We are a tight knit group here..... we aim for knowing or restoring the way the General did it or correctness. But none of us are perfect.

Dan

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Well said,

The guys on this Website are full of it. (&quot;It&quot; being musclecar knowledge of course)

Ryan

I had been wondering about the reproduction vinyl tops for a while before this post.

[Donnie]

anyone know of a quality vinyl top installer with in 100 miles of South Bend?
I have the top need someone to install and move the seams under the back glass.

[wheelhop]

I think you should fly Bill Rose out to your house and he'll do it for a case of sugar free Snapples.

[Postsedan]

Moderators, please delete the above.

Dan