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Published by Christopher J. Holley | Mopar History & Tech | June 2025

The Chrysler Mod Top was one of the most flamboyant and distinctive factory options offered during the late 1960s muscle car era. Designed to tap into the fashion trends of the time—especially the psychedelic and flower power movements—it was a bold experiment by Chrysler to attract young buyers, especially women, through a fusion of automotive design and 1960s pop culture.

What Was the Chrysler Mod Top?

The Mod Top was a floral-patterned vinyl roof covering, typically paired with matching floral interior trim. It was offered on select Plymouth and Dodge models between 1969 and 1970, with extremely limited availability and low production numbers. The roof featured a repeating pattern of colorful flowers and leaves, making it an instant standout on the road.

Years & Models Offered

◾ 1969

Plymouth Barracuda

Plymouth Satellite (including Road Runner in theory, but never officially recorded with Mod Top)

Dodge Dart Swinger (as a separate version known as the “Floral Top”)

◾ 1970

Plymouth Barracuda

Plymouth Duster 340 (exceedingly rare)

Dodge Dart Swinger

Exterior: The Top Itself

The Mod Top vinyl was color-printed, not dyed, and used special PVC material to withstand weathering. The pattern consisted of psychedelic floral prints, usually in blue/green or yellow/green color schemes. These tops were installed on the assembly line, not by dealerships.

Interior Trim Matching

When a Mod Top was ordered, it typically came with matching floral seat inserts or door panel trim. Usually paired with white, green, or blue interior colors. Seat materials often featured vinyl bolsters with cloth floral inserts.

Codes and Ordering

The Mod Top was a factory option that could be ordered using specific option code:

V1P or V1Q on Plymouths (depending on color)

V1H for Dodge models like the Dart

Mod Tops were typically bundled with other visual flair options (such as bright paint colors).

Why Was It Offered?

Chrysler conducted market research in the mid-1960s that revealed young female buyers wanted cars that were more expressive and fashionable. The Mod Top was a response, blending the automotive and fashion industries—a novel marketing concept at the time. The marketing emphasized “stand out from the crowd” appeal.

Rarity and Collectability

Very few were made. It is estimated that 2,876 units (mainly Plymouths) were produced in ’69–’70. The Dodge Mod Top production was a little more than 200 Dodges. Commentary at the time noted that while visually memorable, the option missed the muscle‑car mainstream, making it rare—and collectible now. Many were scrapped or had their tops replaced due to deterioration. Survivors are rare and highly collectible, especially cars with original tops and matching interiors. The 1970 Duster 340 Mod Top is among the rarest muscle cars with this option—fewer than 20 known to exist.

Restoration and Reproduction

Original materials are long gone, but reproduction Mod Top vinyl is available from specialty suppliers like SMS Auto Fabrics. Correctly restoring a Mod Top car can significantly increase its value—if it is authentic and documented. Fender tag and broadcast sheet are essential for verifying authenticity.

Cultural Legacy

The Mod Top is considered an iconic expression of late 1960s American design culture. Today, it represents the wild creativity of the era when car companies were willing to take big design risks. It has a small but enthusiastic following among Mopar collectors and muscle car enthusiasts.

Summary

Feature	Details
Years Available	1969–1970
Brands	Plymouth, Dodge
Models	Barracuda, Satellite, Duster, Dart
Pattern	Floral vinyl top (green/yellow or blue/green)
Interior	Matching floral seat/door trim
Rarity	Extremely rare (fewer than 1000 total)
Purpose	Appeal to style-conscious buyers, especially women
Collector Value	High, especially with documentation

Closing Call to Action

Do you have a Mod Top‑equipped Mopar? Or maybe you are eyeing one for your museum-worthy restoration? Share your Mod Top story, restoration photos, or questions below, and we will collaborate to preserve this wild piece of automotive-fashion history.