Author Topic: rain gutter strips?  (Read 19241 times)

tinman75

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 81
  • 1968 ash gold rs-ss
    • View Profile
rain gutter strips?
« 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

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 234
  • 68 SS/RS 350
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2007, 05:50:34 PM »
 ??? No clue.   Anyone?
Joe
Schodack, NY

'68 SS/RS 350, M21, 3:73, Rallye Green, Black Deluxe Interior

tom

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1146
    • View Profile
    • Discount Internet Services
Re: rain gutter strips?
« 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
69 X11 Z21 L14 glide
looking for a 69 export model (KPH) speed
o

gro51

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 234
  • 68 SS/RS 350
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« 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.
Joe
Schodack, NY

'68 SS/RS 350, M21, 3:73, Rallye Green, Black Deluxe Interior

Steve68

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 521
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« 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

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 81
  • 1968 ash gold rs-ss
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2007, 12:10:26 AM »
Is the plastic gutter strip  currently reproduced by anyone?

Pex68

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 394
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« 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.
Chris P
1968 Sequoia Green SS 396/325 M20

tom

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1146
    • View Profile
    • Discount Internet Services
Re: rain gutter strips?
« 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
69 X11 Z21 L14 glide
looking for a 69 export model (KPH) speed
o

68L30

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 231
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« 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

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 394
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« 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. 
Chris P
1968 Sequoia Green SS 396/325 M20

tinman75

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 81
  • 1968 ash gold rs-ss
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« Reply #10 on: January 05, 2008, 10:29:15 PM »
If anyone ever comes across a set, let me know.
Thanks

169INDY

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1786
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« 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
Jim
68 SS/RS L35 Th-400 LOS
69 Pace Car L48 Th-350 LOS
68 Z28 M21 LOS

Pex68

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 394
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« 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.

Chris P
1968 Sequoia Green SS 396/325 M20

lakeholme

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2497
  • 68-12D L30/M35
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« 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???
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
Spring Southeastern Nationals chair, AACA National Director

Pex68

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 394
    • View Profile
Re: rain gutter strips?
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2008, 05:00:17 PM »
Phill, you want picks of the retainers installed, by themselves, or the tool?
Chris P
1968 Sequoia Green SS 396/325 M20

 

anything