The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) once estimated that vinyl roof sales hit 100,000 units a year when the accessory was in fashion, with Automotive News reporting in 1981 that ‘vinyl roofs went on over 40 percent of domestic cars’. Proof, if proof were needed, that the US was a booming market for vinyl. In 1971, Rover launched the definitive version of the P6 – the 3500S. With a manual gearbox and a V8 engine, this was the P6 to beat all P6s, not to mention any rival you placed before it.

Given Opel’s American parentage, it’s no surprise to discover that just about every model could be covered with a layer of vinyl in the 1970s. From the humble Kadett (Astra in the UK) to the hairy-chested Manta, vinyl was invariably on the options list. All three generations of the Ford Capri were available with a vinyl roof and were best served with a ‘his and hers’ sunstrip and a dixie horn. This Swedish-Italian affair – the 262C was built by Bertone in Italy – soldiered on until 1981, by which time Volvo had removed the vinyl. The vinyl roof may have been born and raised in the US, but to the Brits it’s steeped in 1970s nostalgia. Think of a vinyl roof and the image in your head is likely to contain a Ford and a distinct tinge of sepia.The Ford Thunderbird was the original ‘personal luxury car’ and one of the early champions of the vinyl roof’s second coming. The 1962 model was a real thing of beauty. Delivery is on a selected date, you can choose a delivery day of your choice, up to 10 days in advance (Excluding next day delivery. Postcode restrictions apply)

In most cases, a soft top needs to be replaced because of signs of aging, wear or tearing of the fabric. Deterioration can also be the result of deliberate action. Similarly, the vinyl roof just looks so right on a Ford Cortina. It was a sure sign that a salesman was enjoying a good year.

Dodge Challenger

But that’s not our favourite two-tone Jaguar (sorry, Inspector). Instead, we’re rather partial to the glorious Jaguar XJC, made even better with a vinyl roof. Just try not to think about the moisture gathering under there.