1972 suncoupe

Discussion in 'The ragtop shop' started by buick67gs, May 4, 2019.

  1. buick67gs

    buick67gs Well-Known Member

    just purchased a 1972 Buick Suncoupe moreover this suncoupe hasn’t been driven in 35yrs nevertheless this 72 suncoupe was not stored in a heated garage or a dry barn with that being said, the sliding rag top is rotten and needs replacing along with a track. A question, what company sales replacement sliding rag top??
    Opi
    Yearone
    ???
     
  2. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Pretty sure the answer is no one. You'll likely have to get the parts off another car
     
  3. buick67gs

    buick67gs Well-Known Member

    not so sure about that, sooner or later the vinyl has to be replaced on the ragtop
     
  4. My3Buicks

    My3Buicks Buick Guru

    I would think you would need to have the material section custom made. A good upholstery shop that does tops should be able to help you. It probably will be up to you to get the mechanics/slide of the top in good working order. Hopefully your top is in good enough shape to use as a pattern.
     
  5. seamaster84

    seamaster84 Member

    Sounds like a lot of work. Can't wait to see progress pics of it, once you have started the restoration process.
     
  6. gsgnnut

    gsgnnut Well-Known Member

    I went through this recently. Its made of unattanium. No one makes one or even a pattern. I found a complete original sun coupe top canvas here on this site last year and had it copied at a local trim shop. I had my original top too but it was so destroyed it couldn't be copied. I'm not quite willing to sell the complete original top I used for a pattern since it took me 10 years to find. But but I could shoot photos of it with dimensions for you to copy? If your local I would loan it out to copy with a deposit.
     
  7. gsgnnut

    gsgnnut Well-Known Member

    Came out sweet!

    upload_2019-5-6_23-7-24.jpeg
     
  8. buick67gs

    buick67gs Well-Known Member

    Maple Hts Ohio are you able to take your extra top and have it duplicated at my expense
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2019
  9. buick67gs

    buick67gs Well-Known Member

  10. 36racin

    36racin Platinum Level Contributor

    The issue with the tops is the material. Original grain vinyl material is hard to come by. And to make top look right both the sliding part and the vinyl material glued to the car should be the same. John Kemper(may he rest in peace) was one of the SunCoupe gurus and had rolls of the material before he passed. And also someone in the St. Louis, MO area that was good at redoing the tops. I need to replace my sliding top vinyl in the near future as well. But not sure just any upholster can do them. Be VERY careful with the sliding top. These parts and pieces are almost unobtanium as someone said earlier.
     
  11. tminihan

    tminihan 1970 GS455 Vert - Project

    I had a Sun Coupe in the 90's. Seemed like some of the mechanism parts were the same as or could be used as a substitute in the Volkswagons with similar style roofs. I recall buying a repop handle from Poston, ages ago.
     
  12. buick67gs

    buick67gs Well-Known Member

    A question how many parts are missing
     

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  13. gsgnnut

    gsgnnut Well-Known Member

    Hard to tell from the photos but you should have a large header piece with an attached bow , 2 double bows and an end piece. Aluminum trim pieces all around the rough opening and an interior metal strip that holds the headliner in the rear. There are spring loaded wire ropes that run inside the top edge and around the rear end piece to maintain tension when closed.
     
  14. buick67gs

    buick67gs Well-Known Member

    I’ll try and post better pictures tomorrow
     
  15. buick67gs

    buick67gs Well-Known Member

     

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  16. buick67gs

    buick67gs Well-Known Member

     

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  17. 2dtrak

    2dtrak Gold Level Contributor

    I had a complete very nice roof section from a sun coupe. Black. Nice top still intact. . Cut at the a Pillars and sail panels. All emblems and nos interior handle Gave it to a buddy when we built new house. Didn’t want to store it. I don’t think he’s going to use it. Let me know if your still needing parts
     

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