8th Wonder Swinger

[Scott No Roof]

Hello
I’m new here.
I recently made a sympathetic purchase of a nothing special 72 Swinger with a 318 and the vinyl roof of death. It was most certainly destined for the scrapper since the roof is Swiss . I just hoped I could resurrect it enough for a new owner who would make it a fun driver. After a thorough inspection I’m confused on how this Swinger is almost rust free besides the roof. The headliner is even in perfect condition, how do you explain this?
The week after I located a parts car nearby with a replacement roof.
Now I’ve begun the process to replace the roof. I’m blown away that the roof structure is perfect underneath, I just don’t know how any of this makes any sense.
I’m trying to say It’s growing on me
another project!

 

[Lift&Move]

Welcome to FABO!
And so it begins!
You got this!

 

[mopar head]

Good luck with the repair, don`t burn it down.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Start you a build thread in the appropriate section so we can see your progress. Nice that you're going to save it! And as for it not getting to the interior yet, it was comin. You got to it beforehand.

 

[Scott No Roof]

Good luck with the repair, don`t burn it down.

Thanks
Yeah I was really worried about that when the sparks were flying.

 

[jos51700]

Username is appropriate! Add some structure, make it a non-top.
Looks like a solid car otherwise.

 

[70dart340]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I read that cars that were scheduled to get a vinyl roof weren't primed or painted before the vinyl top was glued down. It may have been Mark Worman saying it many years ago.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I read that cars that were scheduled to get a vinyl roof weren't primed or painted before the vinyl top was glued down. It may have been Mark Worman saying it many years ago.

They were prepped but very poorly.

 

[CrankyNot]

I've ripped off a couple of vinyl tops over the years....yeah, they weren't prepped all that well for it.

 

[Bobzilla]

Hello
I’m new here.
I recently made a sympathetic purchase of a nothing special 72 Swinger with a 318 and the vinyl roof of death. It was most certainly destined for the scrapper since the roof is Swiss . I just hoped I could resurrect it enough for a new owner who would make it a fun driver. After a thorough inspection I’m confused on how this Swinger is almost rust free besides the roof. The headliner is even in perfect condition, how do you explain this?
The week after I located a parts car nearby with a replacement roof.
Now I’ve begun the process to replace the roof. I’m blown away that the roof structure is perfect underneath, I just don’t know how any of this makes any sense.
I’m trying to say It’s growing on me
another project!

View attachment 1716460986

View attachment 1716460987

View attachment 1716460988

View attachment 1716460989

View attachment 1716460990

View attachment 1716460991

The area around the fender tag looks kind of crusty too. Maybe it was parked under a tree. Water gets under the vinyl and it kind of stays in there, protected from the sun. And it's worse parked under a tree, especially pine trees or trees with little leaves because they really get into tight spaces. Bad for vehicles.

Cool Dart. Glad you are fixing it. I agree with post 4; get some more pictures going. This could be a good thread.

 

[Scott No Roof]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I read that cars that were scheduled to get a vinyl roof weren't primed or painted before the vinyl top was glued down. It may have been Mark Worman saying it many years ago.

This one looks like a light coat of primer.
I think it was parked under a carport since the rest of the car doesn’t have water penetration damage.

 

[Scott No Roof]

The area around the fender tag looks kind of crusty too. Maybe it was parked under a tree. Water gets under the vinyl and it kind of stays in there, protected from the sun. And it's worse parked under a tree, especially pine trees or trees with little leaves because they really get into tight spaces. Bad for vehicles.

Cool Dart. Glad you are fixing it. I agree with post 4; get some more pictures going. This could be a good thread.

Yeah that inner fender is crusty looking but it’s still just surface rust. The other side is clean. I think it stayed under a carport or something since it doesn’t show any signs of water penetration.
The trunk gutters are even clean. The trunk is completely rust free and the floors.

 

[Swinger 340]

They were prepped but very poorly.

Yes, the attachment seams were not paint ready.

 

[harrisonm]

I've ripped off a couple of vinyl tops over the years....yeah, they weren't prepped all that well for it.

First of all, welcome @Scott No Roof.
Second, Ma Mopar probably saved maybe $2 per car by not just painting the roof along with the car. Damn bean counters.
Third, @Scott No Roof, once you get that roof fixed, you will have to change your nickname.