Estate Wagon Roof Rack

those times

I've seen books about the cars of those times.Even a few magazine and newspaper articles.The overwhelming emphasis is on what most refer to as "the overstylizing" of many American cars of the time.Apparently,many car critics would've had us arrive at "the era of the big metal slug on wheels",a lot sooner than we did.Personally,I like the the contours of the 60's and 70's cars.Even(maybe especially)if that's what the critics stated they hated.[example;the mid-70's Cougar is the overstylized Mercury version of the overstylized Ford Torino,there was no "properly stylized" version on that platform] Later on,when cars on that platform were less stylized,the critics still didn't like them. The vinyl roofing was part of that overstylizing.And it wasn't just American cars either.I can remember several cars where only the front of the roof,or the back of the roof was vinylroofed.(not good in my book,but if that's good in your book,that's just fine) A few of the books I've read/looked thru were in praise of the 70's cars---and their overstylization,likening it to the 30's,with their Doozies,Cords,Packards,Caddies,Lincolns and Chryslers of sweeping design and artistic displays automotive engineering...In contrast to much of what's being put out at present,where they all look like they're from the same car company.

 

Overstylizing is actually just a good example of art on wheels. People don't have any apreciation for all of that anymore. I swear.

 

to art or not art

No,they don't...I know way too many people who think "the only good car is a brand new car"...AND,they follow the advertisers propaganda blindly,thinking that to help save the planet and not be "so last year",they HAVE to keep getting a new car...Many of them thinking that the newer the car,then automatically,the better the mpg's and the cleaner it runs.And,not even foreign car companies have been making big advancements in those areas over the last ten years...And then,like I said before,there's all this talk about how so much more well designed certain cars are---and they all look the same...And it was Ford and the jellybean T-Bird that started the latest aerodynamics craze.So much for being different than a crappy old American car.

 

They can keep the new ones, the old ones are like fine wine, just keep getting better with age.

 

Update

Finally had time to get back to this, after never finding a top without seams. Wow, I started this post in November! Kee tops did come closest with a universal product, but even that had seams. As someone suggested, they just don't make the vinyl wide enough anymore.

As for the rack, it came off with no problems. No corrosion on the fasteners either. Thanks for all the suggestions.

I am having the top replaced locally by a pro for only $295. Hard to pass that up considering he has to remove the trim around the rear windows and windsheild. Might even be able to find the correct green color. Otherwise, I'll go with black. The car is Sea Mist Green.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I'll post pics when I get it back!

John

 

Yes indeed!

Glad to hear all is going well. I'm excited to see pictures, so post tons. It would be nice to see another green '72 GM wagon!

 

topsy-turvy

I remember when I was younger,I liked the GM vinyltops better than the Ford ones.They looked more like real convertible tops,to me.Some even came with padding under the vinyl,to make the tops look more real.Ford vinyltops were along the lines of their woodie.Good looking,long lasting,but a layer covering the metal and nothing more...Glad to hear you've got someone to do that for you,at what would be incredibly cheap here in SoCal.Sure hope it lasts a good long time.

 

Car is back from paint and top installation

The top guy actually found some 60" wide stock, in green, so I have the seams in the correct place as my original- on the c pillars! The fbric is haartz and great quality. The bumps in the vinyl are where the rack attaches.

Here's some pics. I'll post more as soon as she's all put back together.

http://buickestatewagon.shutterfly.com/

 

looking good!!!

Aside from the miscellaneous parts missing from the back end,it's looking great!..Had to look for the bumps to see them.They don't seem so bad.Unless you enter it in a concourse,you shouldn't have a problem with them.

 

Thanks, the rack is

going back on. I'll post pics when it's on.