frankthetank
Contributor
Posts: 681
Loc: Lodi California
Reg: 02-22-11
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05-13-12 07:38 PM - Post#2225623
Would a factory vinyl top '63 have some type of code on the little Thingy plate and what would it be?
1963 Chevrolet impala sport coupe
2006 Chevrolet silverado crew cab 2wd |
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frankthetank
Contributor
Posts: 681
Loc: Lodi California
Reg: 02-22-11
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05-13-12 08:29 PM - Post#2225644
In response to frankthetank
Anyone?
1963 Chevrolet impala sport coupe
2006 Chevrolet silverado crew cab 2wd |
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 392
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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05-14-12 06:48 AM - Post#2225731
In response to frankthetank
OK, I'll stick my neck out here and go only by memory from back in the day. I do not believe GM offered a factory vinyl top on a 1963 full size chevy.
Saw plenty back in the day, as well as painted tops made to look like vinyl, but factory? I don't think so.
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Ctmadbob
Member
Posts: 116
Loc: Mattawan, Mi . USA
Reg: 03-12-01
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05-14-12 07:01 AM - Post#2225737
In response to Mad Joe
Actually, 1963 was the 1st year for the vinyl top. I have seen one in my life on a silver 63.
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frankthetank
Contributor
Posts: 681
Loc: Lodi California
Reg: 02-22-11
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05-14-12 07:44 AM - Post#2225756
In response to Ctmadbob
correct, the 63 impala was the first year for the factory chevy vinyl top. I do not believe very many were produced because I have yet to see one in person but I have an online friend who came across one and has since had it restored with a fresh new vinyl top.
1963 Chevrolet impala sport coupe
2006 Chevrolet silverado crew cab 2wd |
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 392
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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05-14-12 08:37 AM - Post#2225779
In response to frankthetank
Well, I learn something everyday. Saw plenty of tops back in the day that were dealer installed or the owner took them to a shop to have it done.
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junky
Contributor
Posts: 925
Reg: 06-27-10
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05-14-12 01:57 PM - Post#2225865
In response to Ctmadbob
Back in 1963, I had seen more than a few, but as the vinyl aged, the tops started to look quite ratty, and also rusted underneath. I believe that is why not many survived. It wasn't worth fixing them, so the cars were scrapped. Just like a 10 year old car today, if the engine blows, it is scrapped, not fixed usually. Most of the cars that survive today that are affordable, are those that were sitting somewhere the owner didn't care if it was sold for scrap or not. When steel prices started to rise a couple of years ago, a lot of older cars that were in back yards and garages came out only to become tin cans in their next life. Sad but true, cars are not considered worth saving by most of the motoring public. Add to that, the current political push to get all old cars off the road, and you can see where this is going...
Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level, then beat you with experience.
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 Verne_Frantz
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3643
Loc: hightstown,NJ USA
Reg: 08-22-00
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05-14-12 02:16 PM - Post#2225867
In response to junky
10,395 '63 Impala Sport Coupes were delivered with a vinyl roof, RPO C08. There is usually something on the cowl tag "thingy" to denote it.
Verne 
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 392
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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05-14-12 02:54 PM - Post#2225874
In response to Verne_Frantz
Thanks for setting me straight. Were they also offered for '64 and if yes, how many were made. What was the cost of the option?
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 392
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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05-14-12 03:08 PM - Post#2225876
In response to Verne_Frantz
Does anyone remember the texured paint that was painted on tops back in the 60s that was suppose to resemble a vinyl top?
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Verne_Frantz
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3643
Loc: hightstown,NJ USA
Reg: 08-22-00
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05-14-12 04:29 PM - Post#2225897
In response to Mad Joe
Actually, the '64 option production was only 7,294. The cost of the option was $75.35 for both '63 and '64 production, offered in white or black only.
Verne 
The production numbers I quoted were for domestic production only. There were a few more for export cars.
Edited by Verne_Frantz on 05-14-12 04:30 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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junky
Contributor
Posts: 925
Reg: 06-27-10
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05-14-12 07:03 PM - Post#2225945
In response to Mad Joe
Does anyone remember the texured paint that was painted on tops back in the 60s that was suppose to resemble a vinyl top?
Not only do I remember the textured paint, I also remember the electrostatic applied "flocking" that was also popular. How many people even know what "flocking" is today.. 
Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level, then beat you with experience.
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frankthetank
Contributor
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Loc: Lodi California
Reg: 02-22-11
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05-14-12 07:52 PM - Post#2225964
In response to junky
Have no idea. Break it down to us youngsters.
1963 Chevrolet impala sport coupe
2006 Chevrolet silverado crew cab 2wd |
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 392
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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05-14-12 08:11 PM - Post#2225970
In response to junky
I know, but I'm not sure I ever saw one done that way. How was the "flocking" stuck? With glue, or with paint the same color as the flock.
You say electrostatic,but I'm not exactly sure how the flock would stick after washing.
If I remember right, the process was not used too long.
Edited by Mad Joe on 05-14-12 08:17 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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junky
Contributor
Posts: 925
Reg: 06-27-10
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05-15-12 05:26 AM - Post#2226069
In response to Mad Joe
There was a glue applied, and then a negative charge was clamped to the car. The flocking material was positively charged, and it would stand up as it hit the glue. They were strange looking to say the least. I don't think that you could scrub it if it got dirty. The company that was doing it was selling national franchises, but went under after about a year in business. That was in 1967 or 1968 when the government was giving small business loans to minority people. The person that was selling these franchises was a minority by his religious beliefs.
Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level, then beat you with experience.
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frankthetank
Contributor
Posts: 681
Loc: Lodi California
Reg: 02-22-11
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05-15-12 07:21 AM - Post#2226118
In response to junky
Junky you have me curious to see what this stuff looked like any pics? I'm gonna see if I can find any on google.
1963 Chevrolet impala sport coupe
2006 Chevrolet silverado crew cab 2wd |
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junky
Contributor
Posts: 925
Reg: 06-27-10
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05-15-12 07:49 AM - Post#2226130
In response to frankthetank
Here is a google picture search that I found, and a picture of a flocked VW. Link
Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level, then beat you with experience.
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frankthetank
Contributor
Posts: 681
Loc: Lodi California
Reg: 02-22-11
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05-15-12 11:33 AM - Post#2226199
In response to junky
O damn, that's hideous.
1963 Chevrolet impala sport coupe
2006 Chevrolet silverado crew cab 2wd |
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 DonSSDD
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 4674
Loc: Nova Scotia, Canada
Reg: 08-21-01
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05-15-12 02:10 PM - Post#2226239
In response to frankthetank
I think they did a lot of Elvis paintings with that stuff? 
Don
59 El Camino, 62 Bel Air SC, 62 Bel Air SC(sold in Finland is 2011), 63 SWC Vette (sold)
Member #2194 |
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junky
Contributor
Posts: 925
Reg: 06-27-10
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05-15-12 08:20 PM - Post#2226355
In response to frankthetank
O damn, that's hideous.
I didn't say that I liked it, I said that I remembered it. Lots of things were hideous back then, just as some things are today.. Remember times change, and if you don't remember the past, then you are lost in the future...
Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level, then beat you with experience.
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Richard Martin
Valued Contributor
Posts: 4411
Loc: Davis Islands, Florida
Reg: 06-12-03
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05-15-12 08:48 PM - Post#2226367
In response to junky
Remember the MoPar "Mod Tops" ? :
http://blog.collectorcarads.com/mod-top-mopars/03/...
Richard
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 392
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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05-15-12 11:26 PM - Post#2226398
In response to Richard Martin
I seem to remember them, but didn't see many. From '69 to '71 I worked at a Plymouth dealership. Got to drive the Cudas, Road Runners, and GTX cars right after they came off the transport. Wish I knew then what I know now. I would have done everthing in my power to put back 1 or 2.
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slo
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 2010
Age: 30
Loc: Houston Tx
Reg: 03-16-08
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05-17-12 09:29 AM - Post#2226821
In response to frankthetank
O damn, that's hideous.
that one in particular is. i have seen several rods done this to just in sections/roofs or graphics and is quite different but not as untastefull, i just wouldnt do it to anything othr than a show car that i would expect to never get dirty.
1964 Impala SS
1964 Impala station wagon
1953 chevy 210
2005 Silverado |
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 392
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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05-17-12 10:00 AM - Post#2226830
In response to slo
Show cars yes. Back in the 80s one of the several Batmobiles was running the ISCA car shows and it was flocked.
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rrausch
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 9780
Loc: L.A, Cal. & St. Louis...
Reg: 04-07-03
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05-17-12 03:20 PM - Post#2226913
In response to Mad Joe
Flock that!
1953 210 Convertible, 261 with dual Carter YF 966S carbs, P.S., Remote Bendix P.B. Booster... shade-tree restoration about done.
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slo
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 2010
Age: 30
Loc: Houston Tx
Reg: 03-16-08
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05-18-12 06:02 AM - Post#2227105
In response to rrausch
Flock that!
agreed
1964 Impala SS
1964 Impala station wagon
1953 chevy 210
2005 Silverado |
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62BillT
"11th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 4653
Loc: Moneta, VA
Reg: 09-24-01
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05-18-12 06:31 AM - Post#2227113
In response to junky
I didn't say that I liked it, I said that I remembered it. Lots of things were hideous back then, just as some things are today.. Remember times change, and if you don't remember the past, then you are lost in the future...
How about Lace? Remember the fad of using Lace while spray painting a car? Nothing factory as far as I know, but it was a little popular in the late '60's, early 70's.
...Never liked it myself.
Member:
-National Impala Association
-Vintage Chevrolet Club of America
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rrausch
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 9780
Loc: L.A, Cal. & St. Louis...
Reg: 04-07-03
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05-18-12 07:12 AM - Post#2227126
In response to 62BillT
I still see that lace effect out in L.A. I think it's still somewhat popular in the Hisp. lowrider crowd.
1953 210 Convertible, 261 with dual Carter YF 966S carbs, P.S., Remote Bendix P.B. Booster... shade-tree restoration about done.
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socal760
Forum Newbie
Posts: 7
Loc: San Diego
Reg: 05-03-12
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05-18-12 02:03 PM - Post#2227258
In response to frankthetank
Last week when I started to remove the trim off the seam between the room and quarter panel…. I found pieces of white vinyl below the trim on my 63 SS. As I search multiple forums and research my cowls tag, I still can determine if the car used to be a vinyl top or not. According to the cowls tag the car was a two tone silver blue and white top.
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LongIsland63SS09
Senior Member
Posts: 601
Loc: Long Island, N.Y.
Reg: 11-08-03
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05-25-12 10:12 AM - Post#2229677
In response to Verne_Frantz
Been a while since I last posted.
I have an original one!
Verne documented my car about 10 years ago.
Mike
1963 Impala SS 409/340HP (Original Engine)
Saddle Tan/Saddle Tan, Tilt Steering Wheel, Factory Black Vinyl Top, 3:36 Posi, 4-Speed.
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