PC-99 plate…if it was CD-1 I’d think it was Chris Dodd’s. I wonder if the extra taillights are functional, and I really wonder what that roof will look like after a few months of parking under those trees.
In my town, back in the early ’90s, there was a first generation Dodge Grand Caravan with a full vinyl roof. Brown (gold?) with a brown roof extending all the way down the big C-pillar. Had to be one of the most atrocious things I’ve ever seen.
I’ve kicked myself ever since for not taking a picture.
At least on the example here they did the tops of the doors. It looks pretty silly when the doors are open but at least there isn’t a big cutout over each door when they’re closed.
The Presidential logo and accompanying emblem are hilarious. After market restyling at its finest and to think someone actually paid more for it. Like to get the proud owner’s reaction after reading these comments.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think this is even a Landau. For a Landau, only the rear portion of the roof can be padded. No open air driving for the chauffeur.
I am getting old. I will take one in jet black please. Time to head to Miami I guess. Either that or a Lexus ES black on black. I figure when I am not driving it I can rent it out to funeral homes.
I remember reading (Edmunds?) back when the Lincoln LS came out, that a series of memos went out from Lincoln HQ to the dealers attempting to stop the dealers from doing vinyl roofs on the LS, as unbecoming of the model’s intended image.
While (of course) Lincoln couldn’t stop it from happening, I believe they were threatening cutting back a dealer’s allotment of the model if they insisted on turning them into retirement-mobiles.
That looks just like the 93 Olds something or other that my buddy had. One afternoon he was hauling down Route 128 and the gdamn thing ripped right the frick off the roof and deposited itself in the high speed lane. He actually went back and got it.
This reminds me of a story from many years ago. Friends touring the African Lion Safari (a zoo of sorts west of Toronto where the animals roam free and people are restricted to cars or tour buses) mentioned a warning sign that the monkeys were prone to ripping off vinyl car roofs – which they witnessed. It appears our relatives have more taste than many humans.
Michael Karesh : Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think this is even a Landau. For a Landau, only the rear portion of the roof can be padded. No open air driving for the chauffeur.
The man’s got a point. RF, better get another challenger ready to do battle.
Speaking of, a reincarnated Chrysler Cordoba on the Challenger body sounds good to me. Landau roof, different front clip, rear bumper, disc wheels, standard HEMI, cop car column shift, etc. Corinthian leather and shag carpeting inside. Metallic bronze paint and designer prints on the vinyl outside.
I am totally with you on the Cordoba idea. I think I have suggested it on ttac a couple of times myself. I would like to see the V6 in it though… maybe even the small Chrysler 6 for a real malaise era feel.
Earl Scheib used to offer a spray on textured paint to give your car that upscale vinyl top effect back in the 70s.
It really is kind of interesting to see after living through the dull color/monochromatic period: contrast, texture, color. Sort of livens things up. Not necessarily in a good way, but still.
That is a full simulated convertible top, not a landau. Landau is more of a “half roof”. Most often seen on circa 1973-1982 Grand Prix, Regal, Eldorado etc.
This just in: $899 installed.
PC-99 plate…if it was CD-1 I’d think it was Chris Dodd’s. I wonder if the extra taillights are functional, and I really wonder what that roof will look like after a few months of parking under those trees.
I saw a similar treatment on a current-model Camry last year. Putting that crap on domestic cars is bad enough, but Japanese?
Also, this one should have put the padding down the A-pillars too.
Y’all haven’t been to south Florida lately, huh?
These roofs are required by law on all vehicles driven by persons over the age of 70 in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
When did this become a contest between TTAC and Autoblog? *rolls eyes*
This Malibu is hideous.
I saw a “landau” top on a 2010 Taurus yesterday… now THAT was horrific.
Bell bottoms came around a few times also
In my town, back in the early ’90s, there was a first generation Dodge Grand Caravan with a full vinyl roof. Brown (gold?) with a brown roof extending all the way down the big C-pillar. Had to be one of the most atrocious things I’ve ever seen.
I’ve kicked myself ever since for not taking a picture.
At least on the example here they did the tops of the doors. It looks pretty silly when the doors are open but at least there isn’t a big cutout over each door when they’re closed.
AWESOME!!!
I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
Autoblog already beat it, if the Escort from earlier was their entry.
Oh come on – you can do better than that.
http://www.pillings.com/pics/Lexus/2002_ES300_Flat.jpg
Just proves, never open up TTAC while eating lunch!
Holy crap! Emphasis, of course, on the crap.
One word, Economy.
The poor economy, old folks can’t afford Cadillacs or Buicks anymore but they still want their carriage roofs so Chevy will give it to them.
Hideous.
Actually looks worse than the numerous Cadillacs around here with them. Didn;t think that was possible.
I like the use of AstroTurf
The Presidential logo and accompanying emblem are hilarious. After market restyling at its finest and to think someone actually paid more for it. Like to get the proud owner’s reaction after reading these comments.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think this is even a Landau. For a Landau, only the rear portion of the roof can be padded. No open air driving for the chauffeur.
I am getting old. I will take one in jet black please. Time to head to Miami I guess. Either that or a Lexus ES black on black. I figure when I am not driving it I can rent it out to funeral homes.
Especially without the A-pillars done it looks like the really bad hairpiece that your uncle wears but no one mentions the elephant in the room.
Somebody actually likes this enough to pay for it!!?? That must be some really good weed.
I remember reading (Edmunds?) back when the Lincoln LS came out, that a series of memos went out from Lincoln HQ to the dealers attempting to stop the dealers from doing vinyl roofs on the LS, as unbecoming of the model’s intended image.
While (of course) Lincoln couldn’t stop it from happening, I believe they were threatening cutting back a dealer’s allotment of the model if they insisted on turning them into retirement-mobiles.
The excremental hue is entirely appropriate.
What other colors are available? Do they have that in Vomit Green?
It’ll look even better when the trim starts to rust and the stains run down the fender.
Actually looks well done to me. Not that I approve or like.
RF: “This just in: $899 installed.”
I think I’d rather know how much it costs to remove.
That looks just like the 93 Olds something or other that my buddy had. One afternoon he was hauling down Route 128 and the gdamn thing ripped right the frick off the roof and deposited itself in the high speed lane. He actually went back and got it.
This reminds me of a story from many years ago. Friends touring the African Lion Safari (a zoo of sorts west of Toronto where the animals roam free and people are restricted to cars or tour buses) mentioned a warning sign that the monkeys were prone to ripping off vinyl car roofs – which they witnessed. It appears our relatives have more taste than many humans.
At least it gives that anonymous blob some character even if it is in bad taste.
I’d like to see that treatment on a Chrysler Sebring..[ sorry, low hanging fruit, couldn’t help it].
How would that look on a Mazda 3 I’m thinking…
Michael Karesh : Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think this is even a Landau. For a Landau, only the rear portion of the roof can be padded. No open air driving for the chauffeur.
The man’s got a point. RF, better get another challenger ready to do battle.
Speaking of, a reincarnated Chrysler Cordoba on the Challenger body sounds good to me. Landau roof, different front clip, rear bumper, disc wheels, standard HEMI, cop car column shift, etc. Corinthian leather and shag carpeting inside. Metallic bronze paint and designer prints on the vinyl outside.
Badge-engineered WIN.
Forget the roof. I like the emblems !
This site sells the kits, they even have them for Toyotas and Nissans. TOP’s Auto Restyling Products
Works for me! Looks better than standard trim, at least in that body color.
Check this out. I found a Wikipedia page on the subject.
All it needs are some wirehubcaps from a Buick…
God…
First ya mention a Taurus, is it the SHOW model?
Now ya mentioning the Linc LS (I had / have a M A D crush on)
Oh the horror!
I thought that once I get a little older.. that I could stop seeing such… treatment on decent cars.
But god..
A GOLD Malibu, probably the BASE version.. with a shitty top.
Only thing worse.. when are we going to start seeing SUVS / CUVS with these things on?
Oh yeah..
Its official, end of the world is coming. I just didn’t think it would be so old..
Having recently returned from Florida, I can assure that that roof is an example of great restraint, relatively speaking.
The worst landau I saw was one of the old X-Body Olds 88s, with a landau roof ‘expanded to include’ the rearmost sideglass. Trust me, it was worse.
(That being said, whoever it was that attempted to turn a late 60s Pontiac sedan into an ersatz Chevy Avalanche gets the automotive atrocity prize.)
that’s mad presidential son
Someone should sell that car to ex Governor, Rob Blagojevich, that roof looks just like his hair.
Something is wrong with a world where states can outlaw overly-tinted glass, yet allow these atrocities to roam the streets.
Hey guys, try this one on for size. http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1971/Paisley/
there’s a beautiful example of cost cutting.
Only things missing are chrome alloys and Vogues!
@Sajeev Mehta
I am totally with you on the Cordoba idea. I think I have suggested it on ttac a couple of times myself. I would like to see the V6 in it though… maybe even the small Chrysler 6 for a real malaise era feel.
That is, by far, the biggest speaker I’ve ever seen.
Earl Scheib used to offer a spray on textured paint to give your car that upscale vinyl top effect back in the 70s.
It really is kind of interesting to see after living through the dull color/monochromatic period: contrast, texture, color. Sort of livens things up. Not necessarily in a good way, but still.
You can’t be serious. I would be embarrassed to get into that thing, much less drive it.
That is a full simulated convertible top, not a landau. Landau is more of a “half roof”. Most often seen on circa 1973-1982 Grand Prix, Regal, Eldorado etc.
I think the next trend will be a couple of lines across the roof to give the look of the folding joint seams on a retractable hardtop :)
I never understood cloth roofs. All the compromised looks and low durability of a convertible without the ability to actually drop the top.
Whew….the last Chevrolet that could wear one of those with pride was the 1990 boxy Caprice….and that thing ain’t no Caprice.