1960's patrol softtops in USA.

[Sierra Patrol]

So does anybody have any idea of how many 1960's soft top Patrols are left in the USA, running, not running?????

[RiverPatrol]

So does anybody have any idea of how many 1960's soft top Patrols are left in the USA, running, not running?????

That is the $64,000 question. No one has the answer. That was the original intent behind the USA Registry; to get everyone to list their Patrol to try and come up with an accurate count. Hasn't happened yet. Over the years I think I have seen or know of about twenty, but I certainly haven't seen them all. Unknown Patrols turn up all the time, just like yours.

[MadTripper]

Maybe I misunderstand the question but do you mean that still have original canvas or that they were just soft tops from the factory? I have two but both have hard tops added at this point. River you must have seen more than twenty over your time.

Tripper

[RiverPatrol]

I took the question to mean how many were soft tops from the factory.

There were 915 soft top Patrols imported into the US during the 60s. Many were left to sit out in the weather once the canvas rotted and had no protection for the interior. So the theory is that they went to the scrap heap first because of their condition. Some were salvaged with vinyl replacement tops or sheet metal like Sierra Patrols top. I had one like that also. It came from CT and was a twin to Madtripper's Mystery Patrol, complete with a drop down tailgate and side spare tire carrier.

More than twenty? I sit here and try to list all the one's I know of and can't even come up with twenty, so I'm taking into consideration faulty memory. See, I forgot that you had 2, but I might have remembered that Norville had one... Then there is the odd one that may have been on eBay or craigslist that I may or may not remember.

[Sierra Patrol]

Sorry for the confusion.
Just wondering how many soft top models are still running around or parked as a parts rig, with some type of soft top on them, and not switched to a hard top. 20%, 40%, 60% still driving or yard art waiting to be rescued? I know there probably is a ton that nobody knows about, and these owners have know idea that they have a rig waiting for a good owner.

[MadTripper]

Mystery patrol was a unique bird for sure. It had the soft top frame with it and the tail gate. I let it all go to Brad in Ohio and I'm not sure how it all ended up. I had thought about keeping the frame but the odds of me ever mounting it were pretty slim and if I did want a softop, I think I'd rather make a newer modular system. Plow Patrol had the frame as well but Norville kept it and then he got screwed when he sold it to a guy.

Tripper