Box Body Roof Modification Questions

[mercurygm88]

Yeah, I can definitely understand where you're coming from. It sounds like your car is something you want to keep in original condition or at least close to it.

Mine was in good shape, but I didn't really care about keeping it all original. I even considered the possibility of removing my vinyl top and then rolling on some sort of thick epoxy type paint with a heavy napped roller to make it look like vinyl. Then, I ended up just taking the vinyl off and doing a "poor man's" slick top conversion.

Sorry didnt get around to measuring that yet I will asap though need to find my tape measure and stop being so busy.

[TomO]

Sorry didnt get around to measuring that yet I will asap though need to find my tape measure and stop being so busy.

No problem -- I understand how that goes.

[79lincolnlover]

Are there any pictures around of a slicktop box Merc? The vinyl is cracked to hell and back on one of my '91's (1980c10's old purple-rimmed one I'm putting back together).

LTDman83 has pics in his thread for the GM he used to own.

[88Vic]

You have full vinyl or half vinyl?

Half vinyl, which is kinda the reason why I don't want it. It's not in bad shape yet, just need to coat it and keep it clean. I'm not a fan of the half vinyl, rather it be all or none and since doing full isn't an option since that'd be even more time and money, i'd rather get rid of all of it and not worry about the vinyl cracking. But since I have the smaller window that means I have the fiberglass shell so it'll probably never look right if I slicktop it.

[86VickyLX]

Half vinyl, which is kinda the reason why I don't want it. It's not in bad shape yet, just need to coat it and keep it clean. I'm not a fan of the half vinyl, rather it be all or none and since doing full isn't an option since that'd be even more time and money, i'd rather get rid of all of it and not worry about the vinyl cracking. But since I have the smaller window that means I have the fiberglass shell so it'll probably never look right if I slicktop it.

Believe it or not, a full vinyl top on a Towncar would be cheaper than a half vinyl top.

[mercurygm88]

Believe it or not, a full vinyl top on a Towncar would be cheaper than a half vinyl top.

I always thought it was strange that the base model towncars came with a full vinyl top. I did see a box grand marquis in a parking lot yesterday it was black with a black full cloth roof and no coach lights. I always thought that was something only available on towncars.

[TomO]

I always thought it was strange that the base model towncars came with a full vinyl top. I did see a box grand marquis in a parking lot yesterday it was black with a black full cloth roof and no coach lights. I always thought that was something only available on towncars.

I'm not sure, but I think the reasoning behind vinyl top cars having lower initial purchase prices is because the factory cost for installing a vinyl roof was less than the factory cost for the old-school filling and finishing the roof weld seams on the roof pillars. My guess is that the process of filling and finishing of the roof weld seams, plus painting the entire roof was highly labor-intensive and costly compared with just installing a vinyl roof over the weld seams. On the boxes, there's a large weld seam at the top of the C-pillar and a smaller one at the top of the B-pillar. So, covering them with vinyl eliminates a lot of labor-intensive body work. Just my guess, though.

I'm not sure why the police cars all had painted roofs. Probably for durability and because of the perception (although not true) that vinyl tops were more expensive. Just my guess, again.

I noticed on the aeros, they figured out how to put some sort of plastic filler strip in the weld seams. This eliminates both the old filling procedure and the cost of vinyl.

[GM_Guy]

It is, but the extra structure is the fiberglass shell, kinda like a hacked off truck topper. Now, since you want to do a slick top, the $20,000 question is:What sheet metal got hacked away, if any, to add a coach roof. Did they just puff out the trim and cover the standard window opening edge, or did they take a saw to it and hack away the lip... (Didn't somebody here remove a rear window shell at one time?)

Heres some shots from stap '11.

[GM_Guy]

Yooz guyz needs ta surch...

http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?2309-Ever-wonder-whats-under-a-coach-roof

[miamibob]

Mine is the half roof on a 1987 GM. Almost mint condition except one or two little "nicks". Now if I could find a good conditioner I'd be set. So far, EVERYTHING has come off with the rain and stained the body. 303 also! Anybody got a good candidate???

[87gtVIC]

303 does run a bit with the rain. Before I used to just spray the 303 on the roof and wipe it around with a microfiber cloth. Now I do the same but buff everything after with a microfiber cloth and I get much much much less stainage.

I will continue using.

[bigbeigeboat]

please tell me that is not whats under the vinyl top on my town car.


lie if you have too.

[miamibob]

303 does run a bit with the rain. Before I used to just spray the 303 on the roof and wipe it around with a microfiber cloth. Now I do the same but buff everything after with a microfiber cloth and I get much much much less stainage.

I will continue using.

Thanks for the info, Dave. I'll give it a shot!!

[marquisman]

Mine is the half roof on a 1987 GM. Almost mint condition except one or two little "nicks". Now if I could find a good conditioner I'd be set. So far, EVERYTHING has come off with the rain and stained the body. 303 also! Anybody got a good candidate???

i use this special, french shit, that goes on creamy, yet dries. it dont dry out, but dont wash off either. see if you can look it up, i bought it from a guy at the show. he says all the hi end car guys use it. its called URAD leather cream. the container has a web site too. www.selectmarketinginc.com , its used for leather(man made and natural), rubber and vinyl. and its made in a italy....some of a beech!


anywho, looks like that ford just makes a frame, to fit in the exiting window area. its cheaper for for this way. so i would say, its only nesassary to fill the body seams and get new rear glass. but damn, i dident relize how much i liked the formal coach roof. would have been bad ass, if offered on two-door models.

[miamibob]

i use this special, french shit, that goes on creamy, yet dries. it dont dry out, but dont wash off either. see if you can look it up, i bought it from a guy at the show. he says all the hi end car guys use it. its called URAD leather cream. the container has a web site too. www.selectmarketinginc.com , its used for leather(man made and natural), rubber and vinyl. and its made in a italy....some of a beech!


anywho, looks like that ford just makes a frame, to fit in the exiting window area. its cheaper for for this way. so i would say, its only nesassary to fill the body seams and get new rear glass. but damn, i dident relize how much i liked the formal coach roof. would have been bad ass, if offered on two-door models.

Just odereed from EBAY so let's see what it does!! Bobby