Correct vinyl top "grain" for 1972 Fleetwood

[GBrown #8092]

As near as I have been able to research the correct top grain should be small cross grain. The shop is being told it should be either elk grain grain or levant. As near as I can tell Levant is for lincolns. There is also tuxedo grain which might be acceptable.

Not getting too stress as this is intended to be a nice driver but would like to do it right.

Does anybody know which is correct and whether any of these other names are different ways of saying the say thing?

G. Brown  #8092

[okccadman]

I put tuxedo grain on my 70 Coupe de Ville.  It was as close as my local trim suppliers could come to the small cross grain.  It is just a bit finer when compare dto the "grain" texture of the factory mouldings and much better looking than the elk grain roof the original owners had installed years before as a replacement.

[jagbuxx #12944]

You are correct that the smaller cross grain is correct. Elk grain was correct for Fleetwood Talisman/deElegance or Eldo's with the half tops.
Levant was a Lincoln name for their top. Tuxedo grain came out in '77 and was a tight coarse grain, also is harder to keep clean.
I would personally hold out for finding the correct grain

F Burns

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

See the sixth paragraph: http://www.rrrclc.org/color_database.htm

The correct grain material is likely available from SMS, Oregon, or Original Auto Interiors, MI. If you have a special color, the material can be dyed to match.

Ralph

[RobW]

I'm almost positive that 72 and 73 used the same grain. The difference being that 72 had 2 seams and 73 had a single seam down the middle. The reason for the change was that 73's could be ordered with a wider sun roof while the 72 sun roof had to fit between the seams.
SMS can make you a top in the correct grain and color. Go to their website and request a sample. I put one on my 73 last year and its a perfect match to the moldings.

[G Brown #8092]

Thank you. I had looked at the RR Region website but missed that paragraph. I had also forgotten about SMS.
I had been in a thrash to try and get the top done before the Gilmore event and wasn't thinking as calmly as i sometimes do. I took it anyway, without the top, a strange site contrasted against the shiny paint.

Appreciate the Feedback.

Is this a great club or what

Glenn

[Gary Christensen CLC # 21112]

I remember the vinyl top on my dad's '72 Fleetwood Brougham well.  It was "pebbly" if that helps at all.  I'd recognize it instantly if I saw a picture.