Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Charles D. Barnette #1465 on June 19, 2005, 04:26:57 PM

Title: Vinyl Top As An Option
Post by: Charles D. Barnette #1465 on June 19, 2005, 04:26:57 PM
When did Cadillac first offer a vinyl top as an option on production cars? What Year? Charles
Title: Re: Vinyl Top As An Option
Post by: Doug Houston on June 19, 2005, 10:47:19 PM
I understand that it was 1963. (on other than formal cars)
Title: Re: Vinyl Top As An Option
Post by: Ralph Messina CLC 4937 on June 20, 2005, 07:16:33 AM
Charles,

I believe it was a standard feature on the Eldorado Seville from 56 through 60. However it could be deleted by the customer if desired. Doug is correct that vinyl tops became an across the option on all models in 63.

HTH,
Ralph
Title: Re: Vinyl Top As An Option
Post by: Doug B on June 20, 2005, 06:28:38 PM
My 60 Fleetwood had one; doubt it was a special order on that car.  It was of remarkable quality, on an otherwise weathered car.
Title: Re: Vinyl Top As An Option
Post by: Ralph Messina CLC 4937 on June 20, 2005, 08:32:40 PM
Doug,

Youre correct. The 60 Fleetwoods had a standard vinyl top (in 11 colors) that was also  a delete option. I was just addressing the question of the first year.

Ralph
Title: Re: Vinyl Top As An Option
Post by: Dave S on June 22, 2005, 09:03:25 AM
How about the last year offered?    I believe a vinyl top was last offered on the 96 rear drive Fleetwood Broughams.   93 was the last year on the DeVilles.   Oddly 74 was the first year a vinyl top was offered on the Calais Sedans.  

Alot of Dealers were having aftermarket vinyl tops put on plain cars to dress them up in the 60s 70s and 80s.

A 1980s Cadillac to me now looks very clean and slick without a vinyl top.  


David
Title: Re: Vinyl Top As An Option
Post by: Bob Dziewit on June 23, 2005, 02:45:30 PM
As a teenager in the 1970s I used to visit the dealers storage lots in the fall to see the new models and daydream.  More and more new Cadillacs were showing up without vinyl tops and they looked weird.  Sure enough, they later showed up with aftermarket vinyl tops.  When I ordered a new Monte Carlo in 1976, the salesman said to order it without a top (a $100+ option) and he would get a duplicate aftermarket top installed for $25.  Im not sure about the last year for Cadillac vinyl tops but the mid 90s sounds right.