Author Topic: rain gutter strips? (Read 19424 times)

tinman75 · « **on:** December 30, 2007, 01:23:51 PM »

I noticed a very original 68 camaro hardtop on e-bay and on the listing the owner mentioned it had "the original plastic rain gutter strips". What exactlly is he refering to on a hard top.

gro51 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2007, 05:50:34 PM »

No clue. Anyone?

tom · « **Reply #2 on:** December 30, 2007, 06:24:58 PM »

Chrome strip that clips on above the side windows. There was thread here recently about replacing this.

Tom

gro51 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2007, 06:28:40 PM »

That makes sense. I wonder why it says "the original plastic rain gutter strips" though.

Steve68 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2007, 06:39:56 PM »

There is a plastic strip that runs the length of the gutter on cars with fabric roof covers. Fisher called it "flexible retainer". It installs into the drip molding with the thin edge toward the outboard side. There was a special tool (J-22710) used to install the strip. It "rolled" the strip of plastic in from front to rear to seat and hold the cover in the gutter. The plastic had a bad tendency to deteriorate, crack and fall out in pieces over time.

Steve

tinman75 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2007, 12:10:26 AM »

Is the plastic gutter strip currently reproduced by anyone?

Pex68 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2008, 12:00:42 AM »

Not to my knowledge but again, it is only used on vinyl roof cars, 67-8 only.

tom · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2008, 12:27:15 AM »

Check your catalogs, most vendors offer vinyl top kits. This strip may be included with the kit. If you cant find it there, check with some 1st gen Firebird vendors, it may be the same on the birds.

Tom

68L30 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2008, 01:34:07 AM »

My 68 had them......I don't know of anyone reproducing them or even selling them used. Most did not survive due to the heat from the top and expansion and contraction due to the temperature changes..If they did survive, removal will almost surely destroy them...I have found several on cars still in place but,in bits and pieces.....The last intact set I've seen were on the low mileage 68 Dana car..

Steve

Pex68 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2008, 01:47:18 PM »

Their on my car, got a NOS set at Carlisle. B**ch to install without the correct tool. I've seen them in both black & Chrome, but Chrome is correct for Camaros. They do not come with any of the repop kits but you still see them eBay every now and again...but their pricey like everything else on there.

tinman75 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2008, 10:29:15 PM »

If anyone ever comes across a set, let me know.
Thanks

169INDY · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2008, 02:53:25 AM »

I will concur that from what I can remember when I farmed out a vinyl roof replacment by a vendor they removed some long flimsey gutter plastic retainers, of course they did not come out intact.
Interesting that there was a tool for installation.
I think most fabric hard tops that have been replaced are gluse and then a silicone product (bead) ran in the gutter to secure smooth out the termination of the fabric.

1968 12E

R2

Jim

Pex68 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2008, 01:23:41 PM »

Yeah, that's exactly how they do it. When I had my top re-done I showed the place the retainers and they said they wouldn't use them. I told them to just leave the vinyl long in the gutters and I would put them in myself...they did and told me Good Luck! Well when the car was done I brought it back there to show them and they were amazed of the look and how well it fit & they asked me if I could get them a few sets. When I told them how much they cost me they said "Never-mind"!

A picture of the tool is in the Body manual.

lakeholme · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2008, 01:50:53 PM »

Well, I just mentioned it to a Chevy body shop and they said "A What?!?" Anybody got a picture???

Pex68 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 14, 2008, 05:00:17 PM »

Phill, you want picks of the retainers installed, by themselves, or the tool?

lakeholme · « **Reply #15 on:** January 14, 2008, 11:55:32 PM »

Chris,

Of the retainers installed (or at least an uninstalled big piece). I've got the tool picture in the manual, which I also plan to show them.

Thanks!

Pex68 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2008, 11:13:52 PM »

Phill,
Sorry for the delay, stuff has been crazy around here. Anyway here you go!

lakeholme · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2008, 01:15:31 AM »

Thanks, Chris, I understand "crazy".
That sure finishes off the vinyl. That's one thing I've noticed about 67-68 tops. The difference in the 69 gives it a more finished look.

Pex68 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2008, 03:39:35 AM »

You’re very welcome; if you need any more or different angles just let me know. Me, personally, never really liked the way they changed the vinyl on 69's, always looked goofy to me with the separate trim and thin paint line along the roof rail, just my opinion though, I'm sure many others like it better!

lakeholme · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2008, 04:29:23 AM »

Chris, since you offered... How about a pic down the length of the gutter from back to front?
Thanks in advance!

Pex68 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 25, 2008, 11:26:45 PM »

As requested, with & without flash!

HokieZ28 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2008, 12:30:52 AM »

My 69Z With Vinyl Top Has Them . I Removed Them Before Sending The Car For Body Work And Paint . They Were A Bugger To Remove But By Laying A Rag On Top And Using An Old Flat Bottle Opener They Came Off Without Damage . Yes Mine Were Chrome And Resemble Door Edge Guards .
I Checked My Factory Assembly Manual And Could Not Locate . May Be Dealer Installed .
Ben

Steve68 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2008, 12:42:48 AM »

Ben

I ordered my 68 car and they were on it when delivered to the dealer. I think it's safe to say that these strips would have been part of the total job for the vinyl top installation at the assembly plant. Agree?

Steve

Pex68 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2008, 12:47:27 AM »

Absolutly, check the Fisher Body Manual.

plumL78 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 26, 2008, 01:13:39 PM »

hokiez28 I think you are talking about the chrome on the drip rail. The 69s didn't have the plastic because the vinyl top doesn't go into the drip rail

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Author Topic: rain gutter strips? (Read 19424 times)