Black Gator Grain Vinyl Top

[joehiggins]

Hi everybody,

I am restoring a ´70 Challlenger. The car came with a V1G Vinyl Top "Black Gator Grain".
I would like to restore as close to original as possible.
Legendary is offering a reproduction of the vinyl top but it looks kind of brownish.
Is that the original colour for V1G?
Was black gator looking like some muddy brown or was it dark black when it was delivered
in 1970? Is the reproduction colour correct?
I did not find any contemporary and informative pictures in the internet.
Who can help?

Thanks in advance !!!

joehiggins

 

[Adam]

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/7982375/site_id/1

From what I've read the originals were kind of brownish, not black.... A image search for Mopar Gator Grain Vinyl top colors does show some black tops, but they may be aftermarket replacement vinyl. Some post claim SMS sells a black gator grain material, but it is not on their website. Anyone else have input?

 

[challenger6pak]

http://www.legendaryautointeriors.c...HALLENGER-VINYL-TOP---GATOR-GRAIN/detail.html

 

[EV2RTSE]

Gator grain tops were in fact originally brown, but turn black after being exposed to the sun over time. Many years ago Legendary had found a small amount of remaining NOS material complete with the 'Stauffer Chemical' stamp on the back and 1969 date code - enough to do 3 tops, I purchased one from them for a Challenger and the material is definitely brown. SMS makes a gator grain that is similar but not quite like the original in terms of grain, but it is in fact black not brown as mentioned above. It is less costly than the Legendary material, so if you were building a car that wasn't originally a gator grain car it might be an option. IMO The reproduction Legendary top is what you want for an original car.