Plymouth Valiant & Signet, 1963-64

Convertible Top and Convertible Top Parts

DO IT YOURSELF INSTALLATION:
This classic will reward owner installation of the new top !

Our 50 page two part top installation manual and tutorial
covers, in detail and well illustrated, all of the steps
in the installation of this classic two part convertible top.

Required skills are: patience, handling an air driven staple gun
or our heavy duty electric stapler, and the careful positioning
of top fabric to frame components and attaching with contact cement.
(We will credit prior purchase of the manual toward subsequent
purchase of a top installation package special.)

The package specials include all parts normally needed for a complete installation.
An electric stapler can be ordered separately. The stainless steel staples
included in our staples and glue kit will fit most standard air staplers.
(We would subsitute the electric gun staples if that is ordered.)

Read a summary of our two part
top manual via the link
at the bottom of this page.
While brief, it is a good introduction
and will acquaint you with this
very doable job.

Two Part Top:
This is a classic two part convertible top. The main top and the rear window section are integrated during installation. You can read all about how this is done at the link (at the bottom of this page) to a summary of our installation manual.

The full manual is a 50 page tutorial and step by step installation manual fully photographed with detailed instructions.

If you feel comfortable using an air driven staple gun and with aligning and gluing with contact cement then do-it-yourself installation should be within your capabilities. If you would rather not use an air gun then you can purchase our heavy duty electric stapler and would include the appropriate staples in our package.

Fabrics:
These tops are available in either Haartz Pinpoint vinyl or Haartz Stayfast canvas. The latter is the longer wearing and features an elegant canvas outer layer. The vinyl, less expensive, is easier to keep clean. The pinpoint vinyl is the original fabric.

Hold down cables:
These are installed in the side pockets of the top and hold the top to the top frame at the sides.

Tack strips:
Tack strips are embedded in the front and rear top bows and receive the tacks or staples that fasten the top. Tack strips usually last through two tops. Replacement strips are available. See "accessories" for replacement tacking strips.

Pads:
Pads install under the top, along the sides from the front to the rear. They "build out" the top. Pads usually last through two tops. They are also available here, at "accessories."

Package Specials:
The package contains all that is usually required for a thorough top restoration job.

Do-It-Yourself Installation:
Classic two part tops are frequently installed by our customers, even first time installers. We suggest that you make this decision by reading our installation summary by clicking on the link below. There is no sewing required. Tops are installed with staples or tacks and with contact cement.

If you are comfortable using a compressor driven staple gun (or an electric stapler) and with using contact cement to apply fabric sections to the frame then you are a candidate for do-it-yourself installation. There is no sewing involved in the installation of this convertible top.

Hydraulics:

We now stock hydraulic cylinders, motor-pumps, and hoses for your convertible tops. All are made to OEM specifications. Each can be ordered separately; however, when ordering hydraulic cylinders we recommend replacing both. The chances are that both hydraulic cylinders were manufactured at the same time: if one is on its way out the other may follow. If the top is raised and one hydraulic cylinder is working harder than the other the result over time can lead to a slightly bent convertible top frame. The replacement of both hydraulic cylinders will ensure that the top raises and lowers symmetrically.

Systems for this car take Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and have a 1 year warranty when used with this fluid. Brake fluid should not be used as it voids the warranty. We also offer an installation manual when ordered.

The 12 volt motor-pumps include a mounting bracket with rubber grommets to reduce vibration.

• Sonnenland® is a German-made 3-ply topping made up of an acrylic twill-weave facing, a rubber inner-layer, and a polyester "dobby backing." The dobby backing is a knit-like weave original to many high-end foreign cars. Customers who value originality over cost often pay top dollar for Sonnenland, just to have that authentic "dobby backing," seen only when you look up at the roof of your convertible top from inside your car. Sonnenland canvas is a top-of-the-line material original to various Audi, BMW, and Jaguar convertibles, among others. Sonnenland Canvas can vary in terms of surface weave and/or weight for acoustic performance, but all Sonnenland Canvas promises elegance and long-lasting durability.
• Twillfast®, also called Sonnendeck Canvas, is an American-made canvas - a cost-effective substitute for Sonnenland. Twillfast is usually a 3-ply topping (though some versions are 5-ply) with Polyester and/or Polyester/cotton backings. This material, original to certain Camaro, BMW, Mustang, and VW Beetle convertibles, among others, varies in terms of surface weave and/or weight for acoustic performance. Twillfast Canvas is identical to Sonnenland Canvas - elegant and durable - only it's less expensive. This is a top-notch convertible top material, one we often recommend to savvy customers who like a good buy and a quality product.
• Stayfast Canvas is an elegant, durable canvas original to cars like the Mazda Miata and the Nissan 370Z. Stayfast is commonly used in replacement convertible tops. Stayfast canvas has an acrylic square weave facing, a rubber inner-layer, and a cotton backing. As with other canvases, the rubber core gives the fabric long-lasting durability. Stayfast canvas is a sleek, beautiful canvas, usually less expensive than Twillfast, but it does not have the dobby backing offered in Sonnenland and Twillfast (Sonnendeck). Stayfast is a popular upgrade to vinyl convertible tops, and as with any canvas, is richer looking and has a higher wear rating than convertible tops made of vinyl.
• Haartz Pinpoint Vinyl is the most popular fabric. This vinyl design is original to most American cars from the fifties to the nineties. Pinpoint refers to the little dots or pips that you see if you look closely at the vinyl surface. European cars, such as the old Beetles and others also used pinpoint vinyl as the topping fabric.
• Chrysler Sailcloth is featured on many late LeBarons, Sebrings, certain Mustangs and other cars. It is structurally (wear quality) equivalent to the Haartz Pinpoint but has a different surface grain. The grain was designed to imitate the look of canvas. As you can see from the scan of this fabric, it is an exceptionally rich looking material. It is sometimes chosen for replacing convertible tops that originally featured pinpoint vinyl.
• Cabrio Grain is also structurally equivalent to the pinpoint. It has a pigskin outer grain vinyl as original to Volkswagen Cabriolets from 1984 onward and to Mazda Miatas and Mercury Capris.
• A5S German Canvas (Robbins) The 100% Acrylic Twill Weave Surface Cloth receives a special flame singing treatment to remove the fabric knap; and is laminated to Black 100% Polyester Dobby backing.
  
  This is the original topping for Porsche Boxster and Cabrio convertible tops. 59 inches (150 cm) wide, made in Germany.
• British Bison Vinyl is the most popular British roadster convertible top material. It is American made Haartz leather grain vinyl and is an imitation of the British Everflex vinyl top fabric. The British Bison Vinyl convertible top fabric is often referred to as 'crush grain.'
• British Everflex Vinyl We are now pleased to offer British Everflex Vinyl for classic English tops. This is the original material used on British convertibles including Jaguar, Rolls Royce and many others. Imported from England, British Everflex vinyl is a supple vinyl with a rich appearance and is more durable than other vinyls. A good, less expensive alternative is Colonial grain vinyl. Colonial has the same texture but is less durable.
• HV Denim (also called Twill Weave Vinyl) is heavy duty sport material composed of a distinctive twill grain PVC outer layer and a polyester/cotton blend inside lining fabric.
• Trilogy Acoustic Vinyl A heavyweight vinyl that is often used on SUVs like Jeep, because the two-ply composite has the capacity to reduce noise by about 20 percent compared to standard vinyls like Sailcloth. The vinyl material is durable, promises long-lasting wear-and-tear, and resembles the sleek twill cloth commonly found on luxury convertible cars.
• Haartz Twillfast RPC This American-made canvas has a twill weave pattern and resembles German-made Sonnenland canvas. It is a great all-purpose canvas and, according to Haartz, is used on 99 percent of convertibles. It is stronger and more durable than Stayfast Canvas and offers more sound protection. Haartz rates Twillfast RPC as a mid-level acoustic product, compared to the low-level sound reduction offered on other top materials like Stayfast