20 cool classics with a vinyl roof

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The vinyl roof has its origins in the 1920s, when leather and canvas were used to suggest the movable top of a horse-drawn carriage. Later reinvented in dimpled vinyl, this purely aesthetic accessory enjoyed its heyday in the 1970s, when it came to signify upmarket status. Here we celebrate some of the coolest cars to rock a vinyl roof.

Volvo 262C

By 1977, the vinyl roof was in its twilight years. Knowing a thing or two about the American market, Volvo created the 262C with boulevard cruising in mind, complete with plenty of wood, leather and a vinyl roof.

This Swedish-Italian affair – the 262C was built by Bertone in Italy – soldiered on until 1981, by which time Volvo had removed the vinyl.

Ford Capri

The vinyl roof may have been born and raised in the US, but to the Brits it’s steeped in 1970s nostalgia. Think of a vinyl roof and the image in your head is likely to contain a Ford and a distinct tinge of sepia.

All three generations of the Ford Capri were available with a vinyl roof and were best served with a ‘his and hers’ sunstrip and a dixie horn.

Triumph Dolomite Sprint

“Offering superb performance in a well-designed car at a price far below that of the main continental competitors. The really telling comparison is that the Sprint’s performance is virtually identical with that of the Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV and BMW Tii. It’s exceptional value by any standards.”

Not our words, Lynn, but the words of the Times in March 1974. And how did British Leyland choose to distinguish the Sprint from lesser Triumph Dolomite models? With the help of a black vinyl roof, of course. Class.

Opel Commodore

Given Opel’s American parentage, it’s no surprise to discover that just about every model could be covered with a layer of vinyl in the 1970s. From the humble Kadett (Astra in the UK) to the hairy-chested Manta, vinyl was invariably on the options list.

Any aspiring executive working in Cologne, Frankfurt or Düsseldorf knew that an Opel Commodore wasn’t complete without a contrasting black roof.

Austin 1100 and 1300

Some say the Austin 1300 GT was a forerunner of the hot hatch. Ignoring the fact it didn’t actually have a rear hatch, of course. Either way, we love it, and are pleased to include it here thanks to the vinyl roof that marked it out from lesser 1100 and 1300 models.

Jaguar XJC

When Inspector Morse wasn’t downing a pint of ale with his sidekick Lewis, or getting lost in a compact disc of his favourite opera music, he could be found at the wheel of his beloved Jaguar Mk2, complete with black vinyl roof.

But that’s not our favourite two-tone Jaguar (sorry, Inspector). Instead, we’re rather partial to the glorious Jaguar XJC, made even better with a vinyl roof. Just try not to think about the moisture gathering under there.

Ford Thunderbird

The Ford Thunderbird was the original ‘personal luxury car’ and one of the early champions of the vinyl roof’s second coming. The 1962 model was a real thing of beauty.

Lincoln Town Car

If ever a car was made for a vinyl roof, it was the Lincoln Town Car – an all-American luxury cruiser, dripping in excess. A number of different hues were available, while you could also choose between quarter, half and full tops.

Indeed, the Lincoln Town Car was one of the last bastions of all that was good/bad about the vinyl roof (delete as applicable).

Ford Mustang

If you couldn’t decide between a hard-top and a convertible Ford Mustang, a vinyl roof was the answer. Of sorts. At launch, you could select from black or white, as Ford championed an early form of personalisation.

Things weren’t quite as successful on the second generation Mustang. This 1974 Mustang Ghia features far too much chrome, colour-coded bumpers and a rather bizarre half-vinyl roof. Not nice.

Vauxhall Viva

Ah, that’s better. Back in Britain, a vinyl roof was a sign of a man on the up. Drive home in a Vauxhall Viva with a vinyl-covered roof and you’d have the net curtains twitching and the neighbours muttering something about being paid too much.

Sadly, you couldn’t order the more recent Vauxhall Viva supermini with a vinyl roof. In fact, vinyl is reserved for stretched limos or hearses, but there are a few aftermarket suppliers who will fit one if you pay them enough. Our advice: if the car was built after 1979, don’t do it.

Morris Marina

A perfectly sensible car that was derided by many when new, the Marina was a fleet car favourite thanks to its simplicity and low running costs. And what did the upwardly-mobile company car driver dream of having parked outside his house? Why, a range-topping Marina, complete with the vinyl roof that would tell the neighbours they were someone really going places.

Rover P6

In 1971, Rover launched the definitive version of the P6 – the 3500S. With a manual gearbox and a V8 engine, this was the P6 to beat all P6s, not to mention any rival you placed before it.

Pre-1973 cars could be distinguished from the automatic version by way of 3500S badges, body-coloured sills, five-spoke wheeltrims and a vinyl roof, which was available in black or brown, depending on body colour.

Dodge Charger

Of all the cars featured here, we’d humbly suggest that the Dodge Charger is perhaps best suited to a vinyl roof. It just looks right.

We had a look at how much it would cost to replace a vinyl top on a 1968 Charger. Turns out you can order an original spec top with the correct 100 percent cotton drill backing for just $212 (£172). Fitting is extra.

Chevrolet Monte Carlo

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) once estimated that vinyl roof sales hit 100,000 units a year when the accessory was in fashion, with Automotive News reporting in 1981 that ‘vinyl roofs went on over 40 percent of domestic cars’. Proof, if proof were needed, that the US was a booming market for vinyl.

For carmakers and retailers, it was the ultimate option – a low-cost add-on that could either add to the value of the sale, or be marketed as a no-cost option, giving the consumer the feel of getting something for nothing.

TVR 3000M

But the vinyl roof wasn’t the preserve of luxury saloons and coupes. Witness this TVR 3000M. Indeed, when TVR created the ‘Martin’ special edition cars – built to commemorate the first decade of Martin Lilley’s ownership of TVR – the cars were painted Rover Tobacco Leaf, with a Rover Mexico Brown model band, finished with a brown vinyl roof. Brown… because the 1970s.

Citroen GS

Today, DS Automobiles makes a big thing about how you can personalise your DS with any number of options and accessories. But you won’t find a vinyl roof.

Instead, get behind the wheel of a proper Citroen – either a DS (the original one), CX or GS. Just don’t go searching the internet for ‘vinyl roof rust’. There are some shocking photos out there.

Hillman Avenger GT

The part-covered vinyl roof – as seen here on a Hillman Avenger GT – is a curious thing. Still, it makes a change from a matt black bonnet or a set of go-faster stripes. Oh, wait, the Avenger GT has the latter…

Toyota Celica

Goodness, this first generation Toyota Celica has got it all going on. It’s one of a number of Japanese models to be graced with a vinyl roof, including the Datsun 240Z, Datsun 120Y and Mitsubishi Debonair.

Chrysler Turbine Car

The Chrysler Turbine was built by Ghia and shipped from Italy to Detroit in crates. Once there, Chrysler installed the jet engine and chassis. The first five prototypes were each coloured slightly differently, but bosses chose the bronze with vinyl roof option. Good choice.

As an aside, Steve Lehto’s book on the Chrysler Turbine Car is a must-read.

Dodge Challenger

If anyone was doubting the coolness factor of a vinyl roof, the Dodge Challenger should mount a very positive case for the defence. Perfection.

Ford Cortina

Similarly, the vinyl roof just looks so right on a Ford Cortina. It was a sure sign that a salesman was enjoying a good year.

Lincoln Continental

If it’s good enough for the President of the USA…

Actually, a vinyl roof has a practical benefit when it comes to stretched limos, seamlessly hiding any weld marks from the outside world. Not to mention that added touch of class, of course.