AO Smith Hardtops-67

[Gerard F.]

If an AO Smith hardtop were ordered with the C07 vinyl cover, would the vinyl cover be put on at AO Smith or St Louis.

Would the hardtop be painted and finished like the rest of the body, if it was known that it had been ordered with C07.

Looking to get a good color match on my 67. I know I added my vinyl top later, but was just wondering if a good color match could be had with cars with original C07.

[Jack H.]

Re: AO Smith Hardtops-67

I can't speak to the vinyl cover, but I suspect it's just like the exterior color issue. You'll find a nice picture in Noland Adams' book of a car in the paint booth with its hard top 'riding' down the line with the body during the paint process. Bottom line, both the body and the hardtop were shot with exterior paint together, as a matched pair...

When I re-worked the headliner on my '65, the bottom side of the hardtop's interior showed color overspray and was chalk/crayon annotated 'Maroon XYZ' where the XYZ number matched the job number I found in other places on the car.

So, we know the paint process comprehended both the basic body and the hardtop. It wouldn't make a lot of sense to me for AO Smith to off-load labor from the St. Louis factory and then ship a convertible body, fully painted, with a hardtop assembled but lacking the optional vinyl trim!

That would be 'make work' for St. Louis as the body couldn't go directly to the final assy line. The hardtop would have to be pulled, sent to the body shop, disassembled (rear glass, front bow, Etc.) to have the vinyl covering installed....

[Michael H.]

Re: AO Smith Hardtops-67

If an AO Smith hardtop were ordered with the C07 vinyl cover, would the vinyl cover be put on at AO Smith or St Louis.

Would the hardtop be painted and finished like the rest of the body, if it was known that it had been ordered with C07.

Looking to get a good color match on my 67. I know I added my vinyl top later, but was just wondering if a good color match could be had with cars with original C07.

Pretty sure tops were built/painted at the Smith plant. They were primed/sanded while mounted on the body. Most likely painted in a separate fixture off the body though.
Isn't there a pic of new 66 Smith bodies loaded on a rail car that may show at least one or two with hardtop?

[John H.]

Re: AO Smith Hardtops-67

Gerry -

A.O. Smith built, finished (including vinyl when specified) and installed the hardtops on their bodies at Ionia.

[James G.]

Re: AO Smith Hardtops-67

Gerry -

A.O. Smith built, finished (including vinyl when specified) and installed the hardtops on their bodies at Ionia.

Hi John,
Were all hardtops made at each factory for "their" cars, or did A.O. Smith only make the hardtops?

[Gerard F.]

Re: AO Smith Hardtops-67

John,

Would there have been any difference in the paint finish on a hardtop that was to get a vinyl cover, and one that did not.

I know that my vinyl cover (incorrect white) on my 67 was added later, so I have the original paint color and finish under it. Just wondering if cars optioned with the vinyl cover have the same, albeit the 8.5 oz of glue.

[Michael H.]

Re: AO Smith Hardtops-67

John,

Would there have been any difference in the paint finish on a hardtop that was to get a vinyl cover, and one that did not.

I know that my vinyl cover (incorrect white) on my 67 was added later, so I have the original paint color and finish under it. Just wondering if cars optioned with the vinyl cover have the same, albeit the 8.5 oz of glue.

I have to wonder why a top that was to be a vinyl top would even have any body color? I've never removed the vinyl so I don't know what was under it.

[John M.]

Re: AO Smith Hardtops-67

Jerry, Michael, I stripped the original vinyl off my 67 hardtop; no paint underneath.
John McRae 30025

[James G.]

Re: AO Smith Hardtops-67

As I remember, it was a metal car thing. Started on A Body Chevelles and Tempest where the roof panels were welded below the side rear windows. Often , there was a terrible weld spot that grinding and body filler was needed to repair.

The factory found out early on, if they covered it in vinyl all was well, and the customer would pay an additional $75.38 for their mistake! Here we are today.......seeing how that lousy image has caused 50 years of problems.

[Jack H.]

Re: AO Smith Hardtops-67

Yep, if memory serves, the 'option' was hyped back then as a 'simulated' convertible top appearance feature...

Also, remember when they took away vent windows, did NOT reduce the price of the car for the cost saving, and 'hyped' the feature as 'Astro Ventillation'????

[John H.]

Re: AO Smith Hardtops-67

Hi John,
Were all hardtops made at each factory for "their" cars, or did A.O. Smith only make the hardtops?

Gerry -

Each plant made their own hardtops.