Decided to rip off that ugly peeling vinyl this morning. I got some goof off to remove the adhesive and try and make it look pretty. Worked well in the first pic, except for taking off a little paint at the top, Then went to rip off the other side and Ewwww... Ugly rust. No amount of polish is going to make the pretty anytime sone.









Guess its time to mix up some bondo.

Yes, the sail panel vinyl is a really good moisture trap.

I'd love to know why the fine folks that designed this car decided to cover the roll bar with vinyl on US models. I was always under the impression that the "vinyl roof" was supposed to provide the appearance of (or at least hint at) a convertible. Last time I checked, the 914 was a convertible. Did someone feel the need to make a Targa look like a ragtop?

Maybe it was just a big joke played on us stupid Americans...

It was an option . . . you didn't need to get the vinyl.

personally, I think they look better without the vinyl

Optional? On US models? ...came standard on my '74.

My 72 came without.

My 74 came without it...

couldn't get it on a 74 LE

I pulled mine off, then had the sails painted black. They have a texture to them, I think it looks fine.

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Click to view attachment

Personally, I think they look better WITH the vinyl. The car looks weak without the contrast.

I was thinking about doing this too. It would be alot easier then trying to match the green paint. That and I plan on repainting the entire car red sometime in the future

I prefer w/out the vinyl & plan on removing it from my six.

I'm putting vinyl back on my freshly painted car. On light cars especially I think the contrast is necessary. On black and really dark grey cars its not so important IMHO.

The reason that the vinyl was added to the rollbar area was to CALL ATTENTION to the fact that this vehicle had rollover protection integrated into its design. In the late '60s and early '70s, there were early rumblings as to the viability of convertible design, safety and practicality in the future. If you recall, early 911/912 Targa models had a contrasting "rollbar" as well (shiney aluminum finish), while later model years had a black, anodized treatment applied. Once again, the "spin" on the contasting finish was to point out that these cars were designed from the outset to have rollover protection.

I concur with "jd" that the darker colors of the 914 can carry the "delete" vinyl appearance better than the lighter shades can.

BTW, unless you are dealing with an LE, the vinyl covering was part of the "appearance package" in all markets. (This according to published Porsche factory periodicals).

Paul

Fresh out of the paint booth. the rollbar area looks smooth and shiney, but IMO, unfinished. The vinyl is going back on.

My Vinyl was in good shape after 30+ years, but when I decided to do some body work and paint, I removed the sail vinyl due to what I had seen on this site from rust damage under the vinyl. As I said mine looked good, no bubbling I could see, but when I removed the vinyl I had some pretty bad rust damage and it is now being repaired with a new peice of metal being installed on the drivers side. I'm not going back with vinyl and have actually filled the trim holes . For me; some 914's look good with it and some without. Mike

Matter of personal preferance, if you like it leave it, if you don't lump it.

It's all good

I thought so too, but a few months ago there was a pic of a Creamsicle with vinyl and I was told that it could be special ordered. I tried a search for the thread but couldn't find it. Anybody got info?

I like the contrast the vinyl gives. I'm going to have Linex sprayed on mine so i don't
have to deal with the shrinkage or rust issues.

I like the vinyl...the cars need the contrast. However, I do like it off if you paint the sails and the roof the same as the body color...anything less looks like something is missing.

option. called "Appearance Package".

same goes for them chrome bumpers. standard was painted in body color ...
Andy

I tried both and liked the contrast of the black vinyl on the yellow car. Here are pics without it (rockers yellow too) and then with the rockers and vinyl in black.
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment

Hey, it was the 70's.

Anybody with COLORED vinyl????

My dad's 73 Olds 88 had light blue vinyl with a dark blue body.

Paul

My '70 Chevelle Malibu (when GM made a manly car) was triple black. I put a Sears air conditioner (under dash). Cool car. Great 350. Ripped ass too!

But, the vinyl top was black. Without a doubt, one of the best cars I've ever owned. My '65 Dodge Dart GT was the best, after I "corrected" it.

just paint the whole thing one color and be done with it.
I removed the vinyl and the trim on my '74

had two cars with vinyl and two without....I can go with either way depending on color and car's purpose....race/track cars better without...street better with.

and here is the basic same color car I owned with the vinyl and my 6 with as well.

and this one

Personally, I think there is a place for everything...not just with light or dark colours but, also with chrome trim....

Chrome (also called jewelry in some automotive circles) bumpers and detail on the 914 looks great with the black vinyl (and bumper top)contrast. This looks great for a street 914.

Many hot rod or race 914s have bumpers (and accessories) body colour or black which seems to make the vinyl stick out of place...

I think the choice of rocker colour (body/black) also makes a huge difference....

Okay call me a fence sitter.....