Convertible Tops
Photo credit: Flickr/H4NUM4N
Q&A: What’s the difference between pinpoint and sailcloth vinyl?
Both pinpoint vinyl and sailcloth vinyl are commonly used in replacement convertible car tops. Both kinds look like grained plastic, but pinpoint vinyl has a pattern of small dimples, whereas sailcloth vinyl has a broader texture of bumps that look a little more like woven fabric.
Pinpoint vinyl was commonly used for convertible car tops in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. It’s a two-ply composite which has an outer layer of PVC plastic, and an inner layer of dyed 100% cotton sateen.
Sailcloth vinyl is original equipment on the Ford Mustang convertible and Chrysler Sebring convertible. It also has an outer layer of PVC plastic, but it has an inner layer of gray blended poly/cotton drill fabric.
If your car originally had a vinyl top (either pinpoint vinyl or sailcloth vinyl), you can replace it with either another vinyl top, or with a canvas top. Both canvas and vinyl tops wear out at about the same rate. It is common practice to replace tops made of one material with tops made of another material. The quality and the looks will remain top-notch, as with any of our replacement convertible tops!
Photo courtesy Flickr/mak506
Of all the convertible car tops out there, 99% of them belong to one of three styles:
1. One-Piece Top
Most European convertibles (including BMW, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat) are shipped from the factory with a one-piece top. In a one-piece top, the entire convertible top is one piece, including the top and the window.
These tops can only be replaced as a whole.
2. Two-Piece Top
American cars through the late 1990s and a few other foreign models (including Toyota and Saab) feature a two-piece top. The top is one piece, and the window is a separate piece which has convertible top material attached to it. This allows you to replace either the top, the window section, or both pieces. Once the installation is complete, the top and the window together look like a one-piece top.
We sell just the window, just the top, or both the window and the top together.
3. Top Only
A few European car models (including VW and Jaguar) have a top that features a glass window which was designed to be removed and re-used. In these cars, to complete the installation the window has to be removed from the old top and installed in the new top.
If you have a Ford/Mercury Capri or XR2 from 1989 through 1994 and you need to replace the convertible top, you want to be sure you’re getting the right one! These cars shipped from the factory with tops that look almost identical – except that they came in two different sizes.
In order to get the right top for your Capri or XR2, you will need to measure it carefully. The difference between the two tops is just a smidge over one inch. Easy to overlook or mis-measure, but impossible to fit the wrong one on your car!
As you can see from our diagram above, you need to examine the line of embossing. Measure from the beginning of the embossing (the front edge, nearest your windshield) to the second (outer) line of embossing on the quarter or B pillar.
Photo courtesy Flickr/Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden
The length will be either 23 5/8” or 25”. Be sure that your ruler or measuring tape is held straight! The top measurement is the same whether you have a left-hand or right-hand drive model.
Both versions of the convertible top are a one-piece vinyl top with a heat-sealed plastic window. The original tops were made with cabrio textured vinyl, although we can custom order tops in different colors and materials – just ask! We offer both EZ On and Robbins tops for this model. We have replacement convertible top cables for these models, too!
Here are some of the questions we received from customers this week – they may help you as you are searching for the right convertible top or seat covers for your vehicle, too!
Question: I would like to replace the convertible top for my 1984 Porsche 911. Can I substitute a newer model year Porsche convertible top with glass window, in place of the original style top with plastic window? Thanks, Steve.
Answer: Great question Steve! Unfortunately, there is no way to replace the 1984 Porsche 911 plastic window with a glass window; this is true for all of the earlier model Porsche 911, 912, 930, 964, Carrera 2 and Carrera 4′s. This is because the first Porsche convertible model that came with a glass window from the factory was the 2002 model Porsche 911/996 Carrera Cabriolet; this model has a re-usable glass window. Based on this model, TopsOnline.com is able to offer a replacement glass window top for the 1999 through 2001 Porsche 911/996 Carrera models, which replaces the original style plastic window convertible top. However, this type of replacement is not available for the 1984 model 911 convertible that you have.
Question: Do you carry the padding for the 1997 BMW E36 Convertible? It is a piece that goes between the top and the headliner. Thanks, William.
Answer: Actually William, the BMW E36 convertible top does not have any padding between the top and the headliner. Although some similar model years’ European models – such as the Jaguar XJS, Mercedes CLK, and Audi A4 – did come with padding, the BMW E36 convertible did not come with padding. This is good news – your top has one less part to buy when you decide to replace it!
Question: I recently bought a top for my Peugeot 306 and I am very pleased with it. I am interested in getting replacement seat covers for my Peugeot; when I checked your web site, I noticed that I was not able to select the Peugeot for replacement seat covers. Can you help? Thanks, Sharon.
Answer: Unfortunately, TopsOnline.com does not currently manufacture replacement seat covers for the Peugeot 306; we currently make replacement seat covers for the Jaguar XK8, Mercedes Benz W107 and R129 SL & SLC models exclusively. However, we will be adding more models in the near future, so please check back with us often. We are glad to have another satisfied customer in you and want to earn your future business as well!
We hope that these questions and answers are helpful as you continue your journey to educate yourself about replacement convertible tops and seat covers. If we can be of any assistance at any time, please let us know by sending us an email, or calling us at 888-803-8505. Thank you!
