Guest kcambron Posted January 7, 2003 Share Posted January 7, 2003 I have a 1973 240Z that has a vinyl top, I am debating to keep the top(it looks kind of hoaky!) or to change to a hardtop. Is this top "factory", dealer installed or aftermarket? Thanks in advance for your relies. Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted January 7, 2003 Share Posted January 7, 2003 its aftermarket. wont tell you what to do, but id take it off in a heartbeat, hopefully the glue underneath is easy to remove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruez Posted January 7, 2003 Share Posted January 7, 2003 I'd take it off the day I bought it.... Plus its a rust trap also.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denny411 Posted January 7, 2003 Share Posted January 7, 2003 KEEP it, and put on sum DUBS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted January 8, 2003 Share Posted January 8, 2003 i would want to take that top off, but the glue they use to hold it on could be nearly impossible to remove without damaging the paint underneath, and i know most people dont want to run with a bare metal roofed z or a funny primered roof, maybe wait until youre ready to paint it, or run some DUBS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 8, 2003 Share Posted January 8, 2003 (a possible haven for rust)A genuine vinyl top on an old 240 ? Late 60's to 70's fad. Sweat shops were working overtime to keep up with the consumer demand.No covertibles were being produced so hardtops were made to look like soft tops. Be prepared.. you might find a lot of rust under that vinyl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kcambron Posted January 10, 2003 Share Posted January 10, 2003 I'm sorry to say you where right about the rust under the vinyl top! I pulled it off, no problem, what I seen underneath made me want to pi!@# my pants!Rust so bad in a few places that it is THRU the metal!AARRAGGH!! This is going to be tough to fix but I am into this project to far to retreat,I feel like a Marine in the trenches. Any tips on welding metal patches on the roof? This has got to be tough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Gad Posted January 10, 2003 Share Posted January 10, 2003 The vinyl tops were a dealer installed option in 72-73. I can't imagine they were a much requested option, but I did see a nice original white with a tan top a couple of years ago. Nice, but not nice enough for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 10, 2003 Share Posted January 10, 2003 aaib....there was a post about removing a sun roof a few days ago/ I suggested using a flanging tool made from a straight jaw vise grips with off set plates welded to the jaws like sold in the Eastwood catalog. Another member pointed out that Harbor Freight sold an air operated flanging tool. The flange tool can frame the edges of the cut out area where a piece of replacement sheetmetal will set flush in the flange "frame" to the surrounding body sheet metal allowing a person to weld the replacement piece in the flange frame rather than a butt weld. Also the gap in the flange weld is less likely to burn thru from the welding heat since you are essentially welding the edges of one piece over another piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utvolman99 Posted January 10, 2003 Share Posted January 10, 2003 My car had originally had a vinyl top as well. The car was silver and the top was black. The previous owner had already yanked it off but there was/is still some rust damage. There is a lot of pitting along the front of the top and maybe two or three pin holes. I dont really think I have any patching to do so that is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kcambron Posted January 10, 2003 Share Posted January 10, 2003 Dude, you got lucky! My car is also silver with black top, I just took the vinyl top off found about six holes about the size of a dime and one the size of a quarter that is THRU,not cool! I thought this car was pretty straight but the suprises just keep showing up! Thanks for the tips above, I am going to explore those options and using a electritions hole cutter to cut nice round holes with no warpage and make a male and female plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nezzie76 Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 Ever though about making it a convertible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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