1966 Barracuda Vinyl Top

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PistolGrip

PistolGrip

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I'm beginning to put
Top view in driveway.jpg
this '66 back together. I bought it in pieces, so I didn't take it apart, but I believe everything is there in terms of the metal trim. The actual vinyl section is long gone, so I'm starting from scratch on that. Does anyone have a diagram that shows how a '66 vinyl top goes together? I have an Assembly Manual, but can't find anything in there. Also, the vinyl piece itself.....I seriously doubt anyone has these. Any suggestions?
 
good luck, I've only seen one in person. Dead set on a vinyl top?
 
Since this is so rare, I think it would be cool to restore it. Do your paint and bodywork first. Typically vinyl tops were in three sections, having two seems in them. I assume that any good upholstery shop could make you one.
 
PistolGrip said:
I'm beginning to put View attachment 1715277474 this '66 back together. I bought it in pieces, so I didn't take it apart, but I believe everything is there in terms of the metal trim. The actual vinyl section is long gone, so I'm starting from scratch on that. Does anyone have a diagram that shows how a '66 vinyl top goes together? I have an Assembly Manual, but can't find anything in there. Also, the vinyl piece itself.....I seriously doubt anyone has these. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Legendary Auto Interior
 
Cool car, I am in the middle of doing the same thing as you, restoring a 66 barracuda I didn't take apart. Glad to say I'm where the motor is at machine shop and trans just got back from shop. Enjoy the ride, I bought mine just to get me off the couch and have not looked back.
 
Vinyl top option was available on 65 and 66 Barracudas. Check your fender tag under letter "V" for the color your car came from the factory with. Number "7" under the "V" indicates a white vinyl top while the number "6" indicates a black top.
The vinyl top on my 66 Barracuda was replaced by a local upholstery shop using readily available and mostly correct looking material. A good shop should have no problem replacing it.
The vinyl option does require special moldings for the drip edge, lower front post and across the roof above the rear window line. If these parts were not included when you purchased your car, you may luck out and get a set from someone who elected to delete the vinyl top.
My guess is your car originally came with a light yellow or cream paint and black vinyl top. Nice looking combo.
Here is a picture of my car. Good luck.

PB White 66 Barracuda.jpg
66 PB White F:S ext7.jpg
 
I also believe that the rubber windshield gasket is different because of the vinyl top.
 
66340SEDAN said:
I also believe that the rubber windshield gasket is different because of the vinyl top.
Click to expand...
You are correct.....the factory did use a different windshield gasket for vinyl top cars. The gasket had a lip that extended over the roof material about 1/4" or so. That "special" windshield gasket is non-obtainum, but the good news is, the standard non-vinyl roof windshield gasket fits and works just fine. I used one on my car, so I know it will work.
 
I found some internet picts of an junk yard 66 Barracuda with the vinyl top. Yellow/ cream body paint w/black vinyl.

66Barracuda vinyl top1 .jpg


66Barracuda vinyl top2.jpg


66Barracuda vinyl top3.jpg
 
Im in the same boat.
So i guess i should gather all the parts and make sure everything is there before i make a decision to go with vinyl or not. Pieces missing means no vinyl. I know some of it is there.
 
65dartcharger said:
Legendary Auto Interior
Click to expand...
Just had a look, nothing shown.
Did find a listing at
topsonline.com
Im sure others will post up more choices.
RPM in canada shows, but they arent getting my money.
 
66340SEDAN said:
I also believe that the rubber windshield gasket is different because of the vinyl top.
Click to expand...
Yow! I never thought about the windshield gasket being different. I'll need to explore that. It wouldn't be any fun at all finding out my new gasket didn't fit when I'm trying to re-install the windshield & the new headliner.
 
PistolGrip said:
Yow! I never thought about the windshield gasket being different. I'll need to explore that. It wouldn't be any fun at all finding out my new gasket didn't fit when I'm trying to re-install the windshield & the new headliner.
Click to expand...
See post #8
 
pbiggs said:
Vinyl top option was available on 65 and 66 Barracudas. Check your fender tag under letter "V" for the color your car came from the factory with. Number "7" under the "V" indicates a white vinyl top while the number "6" indicates a black top.
The vinyl top on my 66 Barracuda was replaced by a local upholstery shop using readily available and mostly correct looking material. A good shop should have no problem replacing it.
The vinyl option does require special moldings for the drip edge, lower front post and across the roof above the rear window line. If these parts were not included when you purchased your car, you may luck out and get a set from someone who elected to delete the vinyl top.
My guess is your car originally came with a light yellow or cream paint and black vinyl top. Nice looking combo.
Here is a picture of my car. Good luck.

View attachment 1715277602 View attachment 1715277603
Click to expand...
Everything you have said matches up with my build sheet..Bright Yellow, Black Vinyl top. That's what I'm going for, It also came with A/C, but I don't have ANY of that except the heater box, so the A/C will have to wait (maybe forever). Do you know anything about the windshield gasket possibly being different than non-vinyl top gaskets?
 
Tooljunkie said:
Im in the same boat.
So i guess i should gather all the parts and make sure everything is there before i make a decision to go with vinyl or not. Pieces missing means no vinyl. I know some of it is there.
Click to expand...
I was talking to a guy who said he has the vinyl top hardware. I can give you his info if you're interested.
 
Try SMS auto fabrics out of Oregon for the vinyl. They are the nations largest supplier of NOS fabrics for all makes of cars, they are the source that all the upholstery manufacturers use, including Legendary, when aftermarket fabric is not being produced. If they don’t have it nobody will. They are spendy to be sure, a copper colored headliner from them for my GTX runs $330, more than twice what aftermarket headliners go for, but the copper color isn’t being reproduced. Give em a call, I’ll bet they have it!
 
There is a place in Long Beach that has thousands of rolls of vintage interior material. wish I remembered what it was called but it was a restoration supplier. Dont know if they had vinyl top material though. How does that stuff last in the sun for decades?
 
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