Black Level Women's Vinyl Top with Zip Black-Large

Product Information

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.

This Swedish-Italian affair – the 262C was built by Bertone in Italy – soldiered on until 1981, by which time Volvo had removed the vinyl. In most cases, a soft top needs to be replaced because of signs of aging, wear or tearing of the fabric. Deterioration can also be the result of deliberate action. 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.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.

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. 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. In addition, the rear window must be cut when the soft top is in its final position (it's advisable to let it work a little before the operation). 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.While its condition may be secondary in summer when it's folded, it's a different story for autumn outings when it's unfolded and therefore clearly visible.

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

TVR 3000M

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. 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. 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. 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.

Delivery is on a selected date, you can choose a delivery day of your choice, up to 10 days in advance (Excluding next day delivery. Postcode restrictions apply) 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. 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.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. 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.