1966 Monaco Wagon Woodgrain Vinyl

[TxDon]

My 66 has all the woodgrain vinyl in place and it is very good condition, such good shape that I am doubting it is original to the car. This is a lifetime southwest car, most likely garaged most of the time, but both the original paint and interior show some sun effects and wear while the woodgrain does not. There is no visible fading or cracking, etc. There is a color and brightness difference between the two sides, the drivers side appears a bit lighter than the passenger side. The driver's side also has what appears to be a fresh glossy clearcoat while the passenger side finish is more dull. This leads me to believe the drivers side vinyl has been replaced but not sure about the other side. So I am asking the wagon experts here to help with these questions:

Which side has factory correct vinyl? (or both - or neither?)
Is there a source for accurate color and grain samples?
If factory correct, could the vinyl have lasted this long without replacement?

TIA for any help you can provide.

 

[300rag]

The passenger side looks more like the original.

 

[Jim 68cuda]

If yours isn't original, it's pretty close. The wood grain itself looks right, but factory original I thought would have been a bit darker.

This one is currently advertised on Facebook Marketplace in Maine as all original 27k miles. Wood grain looks a bit darker, but lighting conditions for the photo are darker as well.

 

[Boydsdodge]

Who ever did the drivers side cared about the end result. The grain match is great, the Pass side is off. I have done a couple of wood grain wagons in the past and I was ver fussy with the grain. Chrysler employees might not have been.

 

[azblackhemi]

This is NOS material for a 68 Sport Suburban advertised for sale on FB Marketplace. I don't know how much difference there is between years and models.

 

[thrashingcows]

I remember someone posting a link to reproduction wood grain for the slabside wagons...was sure I had saved the link but can't find it...probably on the old hard drive that locked up a few years ago. I really need to redo the woodgrain on my 68 T/C wagon so i can get my collector plates.

 

[thrashingcows]

Little poking around on-line and I think this is these guys have the best options available for your old wagons.

Best Woody Kits For Cars | Wood Grain Car Exterior

 

[Jim 68cuda]

This one was just posted on facebook marketplace in Ohio a few hours ago. Looking at this, it makes me wonder if the wood grain was painted on as was done on some early 60's Mercury wagons. Perhaps painted a dark brown and the wood grain printed on a clear adhesive overlay.

1965 Dodge monaco station wagon
$2,500
Dealership · Listed 8 hours ago in Cincinnati, OH

Old Dodge Monaco wagon big block auto asking 2500 title in hand

 

[thrashingcows]

This one was just posted on facebook marketplace in Ohio a few hours ago. Looking at this, it makes me wonder if the wood grain was painted on as was done on some early 60's Mercury wagons. Perhaps painted a dark brown and the wood grain printed on a clear adhesive overlay.

My vinyl decals on my 68 T/C are peeling on the drivers front fender and I can assure you that the pieces that have flaked off it's definetly a solid decal with the cars body colour under neath.

 

[crazyboutwagons]

azblackhemi: Do you have a link for the NOS material for the 68 Sport Suburban as i have been looking for replacement for my 68 Sport Suburban. I searched Az area FB Marketplace but no luck. Your help would be appreciated.

 

[azblackhemi]

azblackhemi: Do you have a link for the NOS material for the 68 Sport Suburban as i have been looking for replacement for my 68 Sport Suburban. I searched Az area FB Marketplace but no luck. Your help would be appreciated.

I'll see if I can find it. I originally tried to post the link but it didn't work.

 

[TxDon]

Little poking around on-line and I think this is these guys have the best options available for your old wagons.

Best Woody Kits For Cars | Wood Grain Car Exterior

Thanks. Unfortunately not one listing for a Mopar vehicle, not surprising with aftermarket.

 

[TxDon]

This one was just posted on facebook marketplace in Ohio a few hours ago. Looking at this, it makes me wonder if the wood grain was painted on as was done on some early 60's Mercury wagons. Perhaps painted a dark brown and the wood grain printed on a clear adhesive overlay.

1965 Dodge monaco station wagon
$2,500
Dealership · Listed 8 hours ago in Cincinnati, OH

Old Dodge Monaco wagon big block auto asking 2500 title in hand

That car has the look of a desert car left outside, terminal baking and fading.

The woodgrain is definitely vinyl transfer. The replacement procedure in the FSM is very involved:
1. Prep body panel, clean and tack.
2. Spray on bonding coat.
3. Apply transfer film using water as a lubricant, position and squeegee out water.
4. Fold back one half of the film overlay at a time and apply nitrocellulose solvent welding solution. Reset film and use water and sqeegee to smooth out, eliminate all bubbles or blisters.
5. Force dry the transfer at 200 degrees for 10 minutes. When dry scuff with 600 grit wet.
6. Dry and tack, then spray 2 coats air dry clear enamel, then bake the enamel.

Wow! The drivers side panel on my car looks like it has been coated this way, passenger side not so much.

 

[azblackhemi]

@crazyboutwagons It's on the Mopar Wagons Club page.

 

[TxDon]

I would be real suspicious of NOS vinyl if it is from the 1960s...

 

[TxDon]

Thanks for the responses, I am now pretty sure the darker passenger side is either original or replaced with original while the drivers side is a very nice but slightly incorrect replacement. I will not be changing anything on this car but my curiosity is satisfied.

 

[Camshaft]

It might be that the car was parked in an open carport attached to the house, and the duller side was on the outside and exposed to weather? Just a thought. Cam shaft