Convertible top frame color? 1968

[Bob Steur]

Hi people,

What color should the convertible top frame be on a '68? Mine is white, looks like original paint... but all others I have seen are black. Anyone know for sure? Thanks!

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Bob,

When new, Cadillac convertible tops had the same color liner as the outside e.g. green top-green liner, blue top-blue liner. This was true for all colors except white. Some were black and others were a beige or off white. The roof bows would be painted to match the liner color.  There is now only one mill that laminates vinyl convertible top material and all exterior colors come with a black liner. The one caveat to that is that I’ve seen recent top white installations that had the beige color liner, but could establish the source.

HTH,

Ralph

[Bob Steur]

Thanks Ralph, but what I was really asking about was the "frame" - the metal part of the top.  Does that match the top fabric, ie. white top - white metal frame, black top - black metal frame?

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Bob,

The metal frame is painted the color of the inside (liner) of the top. I should have checked the specific year for liner color. As the '60s wore on the liner colors increasingly trended to black or off white regardless of outside color.

Assuming your frame was not painted in the past, and is a white or off white, the original top was Sandalwood (Code 6) or Dk Brown (Code 5). Both had off white liners. In '68 the white top (outside color) had a black liner. If your trim tags indicates the original top was white (Code1 ) I strongly suspect it has been painted.

HTH,
Ralph

[Bob Steur]

Hi Ralph

My original colors are dark brown with tan/saddle interior (forget the codes but I did confirm them long ago.) So your comment about the top being Sandalwood (Code 6) or Dk Brown (Code 5) makes perfect sense.

I am going for accuracy in restoration, except for the colors. My interior is red and I'm planning to paint the body white. I haven't decided on the top color.

Interesting too that the white top had a black liner. Would it look weird to have a white frame against a black liner?

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Bob,

The white frame against a black liner would be a personal choice. I’m doing a triple green ’66 Eldorado and will paint the frame black to match the liner in the medium green roof. The car is stripped for painting and the roof bows come out with minimal work. Depending on how extensive a paint job you’re planning, you may want to paint the frame if you have second thoughts about the white contrasting against the liner.

Ralph

[cadillacmike68]

If you get a white top with a black liner, a white frame will definitely stand out. The black tends to hide everything at night. Mine frame is black, and the car originally had (and still has) a white top with black liner.  Keep a boot on the top when it's down or that exposed part will fade in the sun. I faded out a couple down here in FL.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Ditto on the recommendation to go with a black top frame when your
top liner is black. That's what I did with my '55 Eldo and it looks great.

White just will not look "correct", in my opinion.

Mike