Going back even further when I was still at school in around 77 , I remember a yellow RX3 at a local caryard that had a half vinyl roof. It was a used car yard so I am assuming it was at least a couple of years old . I cant remember if it was a coupe or a sedan though.
I remember looking over it & thinking it was the coolest looking Jap car I had ever seen.
Little did I know how it would effect my life.

Mazdas did not come with factory fitted vinyl roofs.Same as factory fitted airconditioners.No such thing.I know spare parts books have aircond listed for parts.When I worked for a dealer back in the 70's I was 1 of the people who was lucky enough to pick up new cars from the docks or distributor.No airconds ever fitted.Mazda supplied airconds in boxes we and other dealers fitted.Even my RX4 has[ factory fitted air con] but was fitted by Westco motors as it was a demo.Vinyl roofs were a big thing in the 70's every brand car was fitting them.Some were fitted to hide damage.I remember also in the 80's the showroom ceiling fell down on new cars.Rather than replace turrets on cars all was repaired and vinyl roofs fitted so as to keep the cars with original turret.Even in America vinyl roofs and mags were a dealer fitted option.I have booklets to back that up.The chrome mould which was fitted at edge of vinyl was made up when fitting.That is why no part number.

Thanks for that Deniss, i knew you would have the answer!

i didnt think mazda would release their new sporty rotary coupe with a grandpa top!

thanks to rotary lover for clearing that up,

seems like everyone was 1/2 right. i shouldnt have been so liberal with words, factory fitted and dealer option to me are kinda the same thing - eg tick the boxes if you want aircon, vinyl roof, mags, pinstripes etc.

if its officially fitted by mazda and comes under the standard warranty then to me thats a factory option.

I remember seeing a 10A model RX3 coupe at Bris. jambo a few years ago, maybe 4 or 5 .. it was yellow and had a black vinyl roof, only came up halfway on the roof though...it was also for sale.. i should have some pics of it somewhere..i will scan them in and post for you..

...ray...

Thanks guys.
For the record.I am 39 years old and i love vinyl roofs.I will like to have some pics from old mazda's with the vinyl on top.I understand you do not like it on a car,but for me its the BOMB.I got a lot off pics off rx-2 USA spec with vinyl roofs or half cut or complete .Nice cars.Please feel free to put some pics here for me,thanks. [ need a AC blower converter to]

ETABT-1 paint the top of your car pearl white like a vinyl roof.

This may be the same one that sat in the back shed of mazspeed for a few years it had a 12APP in it i think was a very neat car.
Also when i first moved up here 10yrs ago there was a young chick who had a RX2 coupe with a vinyl roof.
Hey guys lets bring them back just imagine vinyl roofs,20 inch rims with white walls, retro interior, shaved handles and RX8 engine(think ive got my next project)

very true, my grandfather had an 808 coupe from new and it had a vinyl roof and it started to rust above the windscreen so he removed the vinyl roof and there were a few tiny dents He ended up geting the rust and dents fixed and chukced out the vinyl roof.

Found a pic with a RX3 COUPE WITH THE VINYL ROOF
http://mazdarotary2.50megs.com/photo3.html

That Rx3 doesn't deserve to live like that

i saw a white 808 coupe today with a vinyl roof

more pictures please.need pictures rom all rx-3 with vinyl tops.

If you look on the original GONE IN 60 SECONDS movie there is a section filmed at some mazda dealer in the us . You will see plenty of rx2's & 3'S coupes and sedans with vinal roofs . Its about half way through the movie

Hi guys, I may be able to help you with this.
I use to sell RX3/808's brand new back in the early 70's. I can assure you that vinyl roofs were not fitted by the factory nor by Westco Motors (importers for NSW back then).
There is some truth in them being fitted to hide damage but the main reason was it was a style/option thing that the dealer used to make bucks out of. As Dave from Restoremaz says it was an option just like mudflaps etc. He is also correct in his comments about it not being listed in the parts books (which I have a few for sale if any one wants one)

I don't know about any other market than Australia, but you have to remember back then we couldn't get enough new Mazdas to sell, so we fitted them up with heaps of extras, loaded the price like you wouldn't believe & some times made more out of the profit in the accessories than the car its self.

Colin

Here is a couple.

yes yes,there they are.
My beloved vinyl tops.i want more.I will put vinyl on mine when it arives.

Found a vinyl roof 808 for sale on carsales..

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales ... istance=25

It's not an RX-3, but my Grandfathers RX-4 Coupe, which he had a vinyl roof fitted to when he bought it in 1974.

Like the others have said, the vinyl roof was often organised to be fitted by a dealer when selling the cars, but not factory fitted as such.

Being in the motor trade, from my experience most Jap cars that a vinyl roof had it fitted as a dealer option. Some dealers made up special " Deluxe " models and fitted vinyl roofs to them.
Other cars had them fitted to cover up hail damage. Next time you go to
peel one of because you think it looks better without it , beware of the hail !!!.