Anyone interested in trading tops. Mine is from a '74, looking for an original grain late top. My top is in good overall condition, no cracks or gouges. My headliner is not original, thickish vinyl not perlon carpet, has some scratches. Can trade up or like condition, we can also trade latches for an easy swap or keep ours, mine is in good condition. I am located in Las Vegas, NV.
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FYI - you can also reshoot your top to redo the texture & black.

Also FYI not all tops are the same when it comes to the seals, cuz the early 70-72 had a different seals at the side windows, vs. late 73-76. So you'll need to match same-same for the swap.

The texture can be recreated with Wurth Schutz spray (underbody coating), then Satin Black paint. Look for the topics in the Originality & History Forum for redoing the tops, or doing the F & R Valances & L & R Rockers or the 73-74 black textured bumpers for the how-to of it, since the texture was all done the same way, as on the roof panel (google search works better than the site's searrch BTW).

IMHO - stick with the top that came with the car - assuming it's correct early/late or is the known original top, now almost half a century later.

PS - That looks like it may be a nice small-block V8 Tempest with the "Noodle-driveshaft" in the background ... maybe or the slant 4?
PSS - Never mind! ... Dang these old eyes!
I just enlarged the pic & read it's a Chev BelAir!

Good Luck Either Way!
Tom
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Thanks Tom! Great advice, I'll look in to restoring the texture.
Here's a pic of the car in the background...
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I would just try to source a late 'original' late top and keep your red smoothie for those special occasions.

I have a spare 'late' top here that I could let go for cheeeep, but shipping would probably be somewhat prohibitive.