white convertible top

[Thunderdogs]

Has anyone put on a white convertible top? I would like to see a red bird
with a white convertible top. Does Ford have a replacement top that is
white?

Thunderdogs

[My Raven]

Re: white convertible top

No, FoMoCo does not make an OEM replacement white soft top for the RetroBird.

[MintTbird]

Re: white convertible top

the co that made our tops for ford does have them available search dots site

[Dizzbe]

Re: white convertible top

It would look sharp, but I wouldn't use a fabric version. I'd go for something more stain resistant. I also think that it would look great on the Inspiration Yellow

[Bird03]

Re: white convertible top

It would look sharp, but I wouldn't use a fabric version. I'd go for something more stain resistant. I also think that it would look great on the Inspiration Yellow

You got that right.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: white convertible top

the co that made our tops for ford does have them available search dots site

Correct! FORD does not hold the pattern. Haartz does. Any Auto Upholserty Shop can get it, then you pick the Fabric and any color you want. Remember you're ONLY replacing the "outer" layer. It is NOT a cost prohibitive modification. I know from experience!!

[MObird]

Re: white convertible top

Jerry, to see a white top on a lot of cars look up the thread about the recent hard top relay from Salt lake City to Boston.

[DavidA]

Re: white convertible top

Although a white cloth top would look very nice on some cars, it would be a terrible mistake. Keeping the stains off the sides would be almost impossible. Look at the trouble many have had with the tan tops and think about it if they were white. NOT a good idea.

[EllisonCal]

Re: white convertible top

Although a white cloth top would look very nice on some cars, it would be a terrible mistake. Keeping the stains off the sides would be almost impossible. Look at the trouble many have had with the tan tops and think about it if they were white. NOT a good idea.

While it is true that the tan soft tops are harder to keep clean and stain free. Keeping one's car in the garage when possible helps a great deal. Whenever I wash my car I give the top a good scrubbing too and it looks good when dry. The light colored tops all look stained when wet because they are somewhat translucent and the structure of the top is often the dark shadows one sees.
Everyone tells me that it is the tan top on my black car that sets it apart from other black Thunderbirds, no offense intended.

Cal

[luvbirdz]

Re: white convertible top

Vinyl would be better if mildew is a problem and you can use stronger cleaners on it . The white vinyl on my 82 LeBaron was getting greyish and would not clean up to white when replaced in 93, but my parents did use it as a real car for the first 5 years before I got it, so it got a lot of exposure to the elements with the roof up.
Even with TLC and seldom put the top up it has acquired some dirty areas that don't seem to want to clean up after 15 years.
It just shows that if you play with your toys, they can get dirty or broken and you just have to deal with it.

Maybe its time for a new poll to see how many have replaced tops, at what age or mileage and color, and how many might be contemplating it?

Martin

[luvbirdz]

Re: white convertible top

Hope the T-Bird in this shape when it is 20 years older.

1982 LeBaron, with 15 year old top.

[DavidA]

Re: white convertible top

It's not dirt or mildew that is the problem, it's grease and rub marks that occur when you put the top down. Look closely at your black tops expecially in the sail panels and you'll see what I mean. It is hard to see on the black, but very easy on the lighter tops.

[MObird]

Re: white convertible top

Oops, I thought we were talking about white hard tops.

[doubutsu]

Re: white convertible top

David, and don't forget if you're out when it's raining, the oil on the road gets splashed onto the top and is unbelievable hard to clean.

[Nicky-The-Squid]

Re: white convertible top

It's not dirt or mildew that is the problem, it's grease and rub marks that occur when you put the top down. Look closely at your black tops expecially in the sail panels and you'll see what I mean. It is hard to see on the black, but very easy on the lighter tops.

I hear ya Dave. I love white on my car. I had a boot redone in white and I put marks on it just unrolling it and putting it in place. Luckily, it is a high quality vinyl and I clean the marks as soon as I put it in place. But I like how it looks so much I would do it again in a heart beat. I would love to see a white top on my car but I agree, it would creat a work load.