Re: 1954 Caribbean convertible top

Posted by Leeedy On 2015/10/21 16:04:21

Yes, the original 1953-54 Caribbean top fabric was Orlon. For 1953 it was only white with a white underside. For 1954 it was also offered in black, but with a white underside (inside layer).

And yessss, there are all different shades of white. So keep this in mind since you won't want a blinding snow-white shade.

Yes, diamond pinpoint grain vinyl convertible topping is probably the closest you will find today to the original appearance-if you are not deeply knowledgeable about this stuff. But still you need to find material that is off-white or light tan on the inside and that is not really easy to do anymore. But it is out there. Have your trimmer contact some of the bigger, older sources in the industry for convertible top fabrics.

There is a lot of leather-grain vinyl convertible top material laying around in trim shops and fabric warehouses. But one just has to know where to look. However, I would not use this stuff on a 1954 Caribbean if you are putting it back to original appearance. Save this stuff for 1956 Caribbeans. By the way, the closest leather-grain vinyl convertible top fabric to looking like 1956 Caribbean is from Rolls Royce Corniche and was called "Everflex." It comes in with exterior with light tan inner face. But again, I would not use this stuff for a 1954 Caribbean.

As for woven white (canvas) convertible top material... yes, this stuff is also available for outrageous, insane prices and still hard to find. Worse, the inner face has European "dobby-weave" (a zig-zag pattern). It soils easily and does not have the most accurate appearance to match the original Orlon. But it is indeed around.

As for judging... who knows? That whole thing has gone haywire with what used to universally be called "customizing" now being accepted as "restoration." Every few years the standards get slacked just a little more and something that was once unacceptable gets squeezed in somehow. So I won't touch that subject.