10 Cool Cars That Rocked Vinyl Tops

Love cars with vinyl tops? Check out my eBay store: www.ebay.com/u...
Every generation has its own concept of luxury. Today, luxury in the automotive world is defined by cutting-edge technology, seamless performance, sleek designs, and sometimes even massaging seats. However, for a couple of decades, one hallmark of luxury and class in automobiles was the vinyl roof.
Vinyl roofs date back to the 1920s, initially serving a practical purpose: keeping the rain off the occupants. Vinyl was chosen to mimic the look of a movable top, similar to those on horse carriages. This style fell out of favor in the 1930s when steel became the preferred material for car roofs.
The vinyl roof made a notable comeback with the 1956 Cadillac Eldorado. The Eldorado coupe came in two versions: the Seville (hardtop) and the Biarritz (convertible). To give Seville owners a taste of the convertible life, Cadillac used a vinyl material called Vicodec on the roof, making the Seville resemble a convertible. This trend was soon adopted by other models like the Chrysler Imperial and the Ford Thunderbird, and the vinyl roof became a symbol of automotive elegance.
Interestingly, the vinyl roof trend started as a way to make cars look like convertibles without the hassle of putting the top down. This is why some cars with vinyl roofs have button snaps at the bottom, mimicking the snaps used to secure a convertible top. On non-convertible cars, these snaps were purely decorative, adding to the cool factor.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Hey everyone, we couldn't list all cars with vinyl tops. Give us your favorite! Also visit our eBay store for your classic car poster! www.ebay.com/usr/paylessposter

[@LincolnRay]

The two-piece vinyl roof of the 77-79 Thunderbird was extremely popular, and great looking, in so many available colors through that period.

[@jaypeterson7637]

My favorite car was the 1977 Mercury Cougar XR7. Second favorite was my 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ. Both vinyl roofs looked fantastic!

[@davidkastin4240]

I've always loved the look of vinyl tops. It looks classy on any car.

[@paulparoma]

Me too. It also improves noise insulation when the whole top is covered and padded.

[@brianbeswick3646]

I had a 1976 Chrysler' Cordoba, 1978,1979 Chrysler LeBaron, 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1982 Chrysler Cordoba and all of them had quarter vinyl tops and I loved that option. I wish they would bring them back. It could happen they dropped convertibles in the late 70's and brought them back so who knows.

[@chuckycheezburger3313]

Thumbnail got me. My first car was a 77 Cutlass that looked just like the one shown. Damn the fun times I had in that car.

[@barryrainey556]

Thank you for the trip down memory lane Don't agree with all those cars especially that dynasty but love the '70s models

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Yeah, I stuck that in there. I couldn't even find good photos of a Dynasty with a vinyl roof. Lol....

[@howardgotell9010]

70s ford futura. Metallic blue. White vinyl roof. Very distinctive.❤

[@kenlawber6115]

I own a 1970 Chevy Monte. Carlo SS454 all black with a halo vinyl roof. I consider it my favorite vinyl roof car.

[@dangautreau5082]

I have a 72 and I think when people take the vinyl roof off of Monte Carlo it looks weird

[@jeffsmeltzer2542]

My Graduation Present was the family car, 71 Buick Riviera GS, white w/black interior & black vinyl roof. I miss that lady.

[@tonycox7802]

I currently have a 1973 Riviera Boat Tail by Buick. I love that 455.

[@joeh.5372]

One of the things I love about this channel is the car photos of yesteryears, .41 an example.

[@terrypikaart4394]

G.M. is the king of making vinyl tops look cool!....

[@Thunder_6278]

Throughout auto history, vinyl roofs were an option. My 1979 Thunderbird Heritage was the only model where the vinyl roof was included.

[@joeh.5372]

The most beautiful car I ever owned was a 1977 Pontiac GP gold on tan with half vinyl tan top!

[@tonycox7802]

That was truly a beautiful car.

[@johnmadow5331]

My mother brought 2 American Vinal top, 1976 Chevy Impala that we brought new in October 1976 for $4.2K brand new when Jimmy run for WH against Ford . We never had problem or brake down with normal maintenance until the engine rod in 1985 with 120K. Another 1977 Buick Regal white Vinal Top for 5.5K new last until my sister crash it in 1985. Love these two cars.

[@StarFleet_Tech1701]

I had a ‘78 Cutlass Supreme. It had a black vinyl roof. It ran until 1998. Then the engine blew (this was the second engine in the car).

[@LlyleHunter]

I had a few Oldsmobiles, with vinyl roofs and a Chrysler New Yorker as well as a Cadillac Sedan DeVille both of which had padded vinyl roofs. They helped insulate the soud of rain hitting to roof of the car a lot during downpours.

[@WhittyPics]

Everything had to have a vinyl top in the 70s

[@TimRogers-ir6ss]

I have a 66 GTO Sport Coupe Red with Original Vinyl Black Roof. Very Sharp a few very small blister bumps. Used KiWi black Shoe polish on it Brought back nice dark grain color looks Great very noticeable.previous owner clear Siliconed drip rails on sides and it saved it from getting moisture underneath it.

[@Nightlis1]

In Germany were also many cars of the 70s with vinyl roofs. Opel Commodore/ Record or Ford Taunus/Granada or Consul are some of them.

[@J.W.W.]

Mine was a ‘75 Cutlass Supreme in dark metallic blue with a bright white half vinyl. Great looking combo!

[@robertvance1873]

I did like some of the car's with Vinyl Roofs, Only Drawback was if you didn't stick with taking care of them they turned into disasters and everything Rusted .

[@dalazdayz]

My 1969 impala ss with its green vinyl roof still have it to this day

[@dangautreau5082]

First generation, Monte Carlo’s look funny without a vinyl room

[@johnscanlan9335]

I really liked vinyl roofs on cars. I always thought they made cars look very complete!

[@rashadgazem6169]

My favourite car is Cadillac coopedefill

[@alt96onecincinnatisalterna62]

CADILAC ELDORADO BARRITZ ❤

[@sasz2107]

I thought it was funny that a Dodge Dart Swinger was the first car shown in this video - because nearly all Darts had vinyl tops back then. To me, adding a vinyl top was a way of adding a second color to the car exterior that usually matched the interior. It was sort of a follow up to two tone paint colors in the 50s and early 60s. In the early 60s, usually just the roof was painted a different color. Then starting in the mid 60s, instead of a different color painted roof, they added a different color vinyl top. Though sometimes cars had the same color vinyl top as the body - which to me made little sense. I always liked vinyl tops, but as car styles changed and we had less chrome and more aerodynamic body styling, there was no way they would have worked on most cars built past the mid 80s.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for the video. I enjoyed seeing the Oldsmobile Toronado and Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and the Chrysler New Yorker on the list. That 1976-1978 New Yorker was the 1974-1975 Chrysler Imperial before it became New Yorker. I liked the look of the 1990-1993 Chrysler Imperial. The New Yorker Fifth Avenue was on the same platform as the Imperial. They shared a lot, but the Imperial had more features. There is a video idea for you about the New Yorker and Imperial. Thank you again.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it Olds98!

[@banditta4life66]

My vinyl top list started with a 69 Fury III 4 door and I've owned a good 30 more different cars with one in some form or another. Think my favorite was my 70 Cutlass S hardtop, triple black, with a 310 HP 350 rocket. A close second was my 79 Monte Carlo, brown with a tan landau buckets, console with a built small block and a 4 speed. Air shocks and wide 50's with gold cragar ss wheels made it really stand out on cruise nights.

[@jerrycomo2736]

My first car, 2-year-old 74 Camaro LT. Pale yellow with light brown vinyl roof. If I were to reproduce it today, I would do it exactly the same. I wish I kept that car.

[@michaelyounger4497]

Any Crysler Cordova with "Corinthian Leather" is...fabulous

[@D65-i5v]

One of my Plymouth Dusters I had was a 73 and it had a black 1/4 vinyl roof which was nice with the silver painted finish . Vinyl roofs often give a classy upgrade look to an automobile but I expect auto makers tend to take advantage in the option price at times. Still a great look on alot of classics.

[@haroldb2663]

Looks like you got my favorites. Any car could’ve been optioned with a vinyl roof in the 70s 😂. That was a time like none other!

[@rayknott1603]

Don't forget about the faux vinal roof. My parents had a 65 Plymouth belvedere with a spray on vinal roof from Earl Schieb

[@madmike2624]

The best way to trap moisture and cause extensive rust issues!!!~ My 73 Regal and my 78 Regal both had landau/Cabaret vinyl roofs!!~

[@JeffKing310]

Congratulations on 70k subscribers!

[@allisons3663]

Monte Carlos on the 70's and 80's looked great with Landau tops.

[@klavers]

I have owned a 1979 lincoln continental collectors series in white with half coach roof in padded vinyl, an 1978 buick riviera with landou roof , an 1977 chrysler newyorker brougham with black top, and a 1976 cadillac eldorado with white top white interior and black exterior.

[@donaldwilson2620]

The cars with vinyl tops that weren't mentioned, but I personally thought they looked good, are: the 1975-78 Ford Mustang II Ghia, 1977-79 Lincoln Continental Mark V, 1979-81 Chrysler New Yorker, 1969-72 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ, 1993-96 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham.

[@jeanhansen3016]

I own a Ford Thunderbird a 1975. I am from Montgomery, MN. I owned a 1976 Oldsmobile delta 88 royal.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!!!!! 🤜🤛

[@RBRShift2CivV]

I had a 69 Chrysler with a vinyl roof. It developed a tear, so I pulled the whole thing off. Rust city! If I buy another car with a vinyl top, it's coming off

[@frankdeboer1347]

My favorite is the 2 part vinyl roof on a 1980 Mercury Zephyr Z7. If I could get one of those in newish condition with a more lively engine I would replace my current car. Mine was a gorgeous shade of blue with white vinyl.

[@csumme7]

My favorite was a 1975 Plymouth Valiant Brougham I had. It was a deep metallic brown with a cream vinyl top and cream velour interior. It was a pleasure to ride in.

[@billyclub9733]

My 75 Monte Carlo was white with a FULL black Landau top. Had a white 80 2dr Cutlass with a half burgundy Brougham top

[@buckshot6481]

I loved vinyl roofs. Had one on my 64 GTO and my 72 Malibu 350. I rubbed them out every weekend. .My 79 LeBaron coupe had the half padded vinyl. I thought they added style.

[@dandrane1251]

I am currently restoring my 1976 Buick Regal which is virtually identical to the same year Olds Cutlass. I ordered the car new with a vinyl roof - probably the worst option I got on it. The only significant rust it has now is from the roof cover. It trapped water between the back window and the front edge of the trunk lid. Not only did that panel rust but so did a portion of the trunk floor. It will still have a vinyl top but had I had it do over, it would not.

[@mikee2923]

I hear you. I have a 75 Grand Prix. Low mileage under 50K. Bought it from the original owner. Garage kept. Only place with rust is under the 1/2 vinyl top. Minor bubbling at the bottom of the back window. When I get that fixed, I won’t be putting the vinyl top back on as long as the repairs are done well. Also had a 76 Toronado with a full padded vinyl top. That car had absolutely 0 rust under it.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Regals and GPs were awesome back in the day!

[@dandrane1251]

@@mikee2923 I ordered the Regal with the base 231 V-6. It was the old odd-fire version and got shaky as it aged. I replaced it later with a 350 Buick V-8, an easy conversion. The motor mounts were the same, I had lengthen the wires going down to the starter and I removed the fan shroud extension. It weighs more so, without changing the springs, it has a little rake to it. The car has barely over 80,000 miles and the engine less than 5,000.

[@mikee2923]

@@dandrane1251 Good move. I bet it runs a lot better, too. Those early Buick 3.8s were kinda questionable especially in a car that heavy. Buick 350 much better choice. Hope it’s a 4bbl. Nice car.

[@dandrane1251]

@@mikee2923Yes to 4-bbl. Hardly any accessories for the Buick 350. I have chrome valve covers for when I get it back but most speed or dress-up is for the V-6 or the 400/425/455 V-8.

[@derricksooEOAdvocate]

I drove a 1970 1/2 Camaro with Vinyl roof as a way to fool the Insurance Company’s working to kill off Pony Cars. Parents had 1974 Monte Carlo with Vinyl Top.

[@domv7]

MJ, you did it again.but I thought the red 70 Nova #1 all day long.

[@dave3657]

My first three cars had vinyl roofs. Pontiac GranPrix, Dodge Dart Sport and Dodge Challenger. I thought cars looked naked without one.

[@Doc1855]

I’d LOVE to own a 78 Cadillac Coupe DeVille to restore.

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍. The tops over time have damaged many automobiles roof. No love for vinyl tops ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍

[@pjj9491]

❤I had the 75 Lincoln Mark iv...cool car...but back then 90% were cool...had many cool cars from 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s... after that, kinda like music...crash...lol...after that very few cool cars or good music...like today where everything looks alike...

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks for sharing!

[@douglasmodelgaragesvideo]

My dad's 86 Buick regal had a vinyl top

[@jacoballred]

My 1966 Ford Thunderbird is suppose to have a vinyl top, though it has a hard top. Because vinyl tops are always temporary including too much maintenance.

[@Cambridge49506]

It should have been the Seventh Generation 77-79 Thunderbird you chose. The Sixth Generation Thunderbird offered a generic vinyl top.

[@neilhartigan7456]

In the mid 70s general motors to save money would not paint under the vinyl top, and as years went by and the vinyl top cracked, the moisture would go up against the primer under the vinyl top and rot out the roof by the back window 😅

[@joeh.5372]

I hate cost cutting😖

[@dmandman9]

I think All large cars looked better and more luxurious with a vinyl roof.

[@jasonhills3726]

1968 Cougar XR-7 1996 Buick Roadmaster

[@sf-dn8rh]

The 1979 1st gen Datsun 210, not a great car but rocked a cool vinyl top. 77 to 79 Chevrolet Caprice Classic reverse top 75 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Landu top was so cool, Monte carlo had a simular top.

[@cabbagehead8082]

Cadillac made the best vinyl tops by far

[@paulparoma]

Olds was pretty good, too. My '77 98 had a thick-padded black vinyl top. It was great.

[@danr1920]

I liked them as a little boy. But now days, as collector cars, they are lots of trouble. Hide rust and hard (expensive) to replace or just remove.

[@Jb42996]

I have a 1977 Chrysler Cordoba with the landau top.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

80-84 olds 98 regency brougham 2 /4 dr and fender skirts

[@Project_Low_Expectations]

Even though cars rotted out because of them, I still love a nice vinyl top, even on like a 70 Chevelle or el camino, but 100% M U S T have on a nice Lincoln or that beautiful 76/77 cutlass.

[@chryslerelectronicleanburn1676]

1973-1974 Dodge Charger SE. 1977-1978 AMC matador Barcelona coupe

[@rtking1969]

I love my vinyl roof on my 69 Charger

[@IceManLikeGervin]

1976 and 1977 Buick Regals...

[@davefagerstrom11]

1977 Monte Carlo landau😎

[@briantaylor6562]

My car, any year Monte Carlo

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Nice 😊

[@demetriusthomas4755]

74 Monte Carlo

[@BrianPetersen-l2w]

My favorite was the 1970 Dodge Challenger in "Plum Crazy" (metallic purple paint) with a white vinyl top and white and black interior.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

I agree! They were lookers!

[@SwapGod23]

you forgot 1969 camaro looks good with vinyl top

[@Doc1855]

Cars with a Vinyl roof, rusted under the vinyl like crazy

[@Doc1855]

The Dodge Die-Nasty. What a POS car

[@michaeldodge]

That vinyl top looks like a Scrooge McDuck car. I don't like this.

[@islanddon865]

Hate them.