Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

I've just been looking at a photo of a 1970s-era BL Princess (I know I know), it got me wondering when was the last new car put on sale that had a vinyl roof, either as standard or a dealer-fit option? (as opposed to an aftermarket glue-on addition)?

Anyone know the answer? just curious really

RJ
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[Ellis]

The only ones I can think of which had a vinyl roof as standard were the last of the line Triumph Dolomite Sprints in 1981/82.
An assistant bank manager in a nearby town bought a new one in early 1982, X registration, in red - Flamenco Red, I think, with a vinyl roof as standard.

Mark 5 Cortinas from 1979 until the end of production in 1982 could have a vinyl roof as an option as could a late Ford Granada up to 1984(?). The estate version certainly could have a vinyl roof specified

A Series 6 Reliant Scimitar comes to mind as now does a Ford Fiesta.

I can't think of any British Leyland cars of the 1980s but what about a Chrysler/Talbot Sunbeam or Horizon?

Certain Vauxhall Chevettes?
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

[Riley Blue]

The Skoda Estelle perhaps? Mid/late '80s.

[47p2]

The Princess was updated to the Ambassador, so the last of the Princesses with vinyl would have been 1981


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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars

[Rosco663]

Hmmm vinyl roofs the ultimate rust breeder......

In 1980 the Holden VC Commodore was in production and did offer a full vinyl roof option for the top of the range SLE model.

A mate of mine was working there as a draftsman and recounted the following story with good authority.

Several hundred cars of this model in standard form were in the open holding yard, at the Elizabeth plant, awaiting delivery to the Holden dealer network - and a very damaging hail storm rolled over the top The hail damaged boot lids and bonnets were able to be restamped but because these vehicles were fully built the roof repairs posed a problem. Cars were then bodged up with some bondo and 'special' optional vinyl roof were offered, either the full vinyl roof or 1/2 vinyl roofs (for less damaged cars).

These 'specials' were offered at a discounted rate comparable to the base line model - and most were sold interstate.
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Rosco

[baconsdozen]

The LTI london taxis were often supplied with vinyl roof and carried on (from memory to 1995).

I pulled the one off mine as rust was pretty rampant under it. The roof was as shiny under the glue as on the bodywork it had hardly been rubbed down.

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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[peppiB]

Austin 1800 HL came with a vinyl roof

[websnail]

[ukdave2002]

I put a vinyl roof on my Austin 1300 in the 80's as the "GT" version had one as standard......mine looked a right mess..it was a hot day and in pulling it to get it taught I ended up with curves in the stitching never again!!

Dave

[ukdave2002]

My Z van has a vinyl roof, it's 1950 so must have been a styling trendsetter

Dave

[Riley Blue]

Apart from pre-war cars with fabric covered bodies I reckon the first vinyl roof on a family saloon was on the 1946 Riley RM and the last on the 1988 Skoda Estelle.

[Richard H]

I do like vinyl roofs, but they are rust traps! My Atlantic has some slight bubbles under the vinyl, although thankfully it's not as bad as other Atlantics I've seen.
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Richard Hughes

[BigJohn]

In 1980 I was living in a small village in the Yorkshire Dales. The village "Character" showed me his cheap and cheerful way of putting a vinyl roof on his Simca 1100. It involved 2 rugby boot laces for fake seams and a tub of Tetrosyl. It was March. On the first warm day since the application I saw him rest his elbow on the roof........
I had to sit down I was laughing that hard.

[pigtin]

There was a company that sold a special paint to produce a spray-on vinyl effect. My Brother used in on my Renault 8 back in the mid 70s. It was not easy to get right though.
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Due to the onset of my mid eighties I'm no longer sprightly and rarely seen in my Austin special. I have written a book though. https://amzn.eu/d/7rwRRqL

[Roger-hatchy]

Any one remeber the Velvotex vinyl in the 1970's

Got a photo somewhere of a Lotus Europa in typical lotus green with a yellow stripe.
Getting the hoover down the side panels was a pain.