widow felts nos vs. A.Mrkt.

[ko-lek-tor]

I have a chance to get some NOS outer window felts for a not too bad a price IMO. A couple of years ago, this would not have even been a question for me, but A. Mrkt. parts are improving, at least felts,I am told. As I understand, the show grade A.Market felts are pretty good, have come a long way in quality and accuracy and even have the rubber flap on the 1/4 felts. I have not seen these in person. I am a NOS kinda guy , but if the A/M is as good as claimed, I would go that route as funds are getting squeezed and other weatherstripping will be A/M. Along that thought, I planned on getting the higher priced latex weatherstripping. Here is what I'd like some feedback on: Anyone, here, that is a correctness freak and can give an opinion on the A/M quality, correctness, etc... to help me decide would be greatly appreciated. Also, any feedback regarding the latex vs.regular rubber drip molding and door/trunk weatherstrips, so I do not make the wrong purchases when that time comes appreciated as well.

[ko-lek-tor]

 ???Anyone??

[69Z28-RS]

The after markets are $100 or more, the NOS ones I've seen are significantly more.   If you can afford/want to buy the NOS ones, I'm sure they fit and look better...

[lakeholme]

The after markets are $100 or more, the NOS ones I've seen are significantly more.   If you can afford/want to buy the NOS ones, I'm sure they fit and look better...

X2
It's news to me that the A/M felts are improving. Plenty of folks out there are still complaining, both with and without beltline trim.
Why don't you contact the suppliers, ask them if they will be at Charlotte, and then, you can check some out in April?  Might as well add that to your trip.... 

[69Z28]

Why is it so hard to make this product exactly right? Patent issues? They already go thru the problem of designing SOMETHING, why not do it right the first time? I could stand to replace my outers to the round bead style. Somewhere in time the flat style was added to my car, whether they are GM or not they do fit well and seal well. Did GM have both round bead and flat bead?

[MyRed67]

This is the kit I used on my 67, from Heartbeat City;
http://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/20670/Camaro-Windowfelt-kit-coupe-10-piece-1967/         I was very pleased with the look and the fit.  And YES, it has the round bead trim.   
ko-lek-tor,  It looks like you have 69's, HBC has kits for all First Gens.

[ko-lek-tor]

  Thanks Mike. I guess to try to clarify my position I have, up to this point, always bought original OEM or NOS items ONLY. I have not bought anything repro, quite proud of that, I may add. I am getting to a point in parts buying where I realize that repro will be the only route as the price of NOS is too high for me IMO. Most of the items I speak of are soft items like rubber, foam, plastic, and vinyl. Things like weatherstrips and trunk mat. The other items are pot metal where it might be too costly to re-plate. I am a purist and like things as correct as possible. If there is anything that falls under the categories mentioned (soft and pot metal) that the repro is just not acceptable because of appearance, fit and quality and is so sub-standard that it is obvious to most that it is not "correct" then I would like to know. I asked about felts because I have a chance to get a set of outer NOS. I know I would prefer to have them over the repro, but for cost consideration. I will compromise (or should say I have to) up to a point, but if the repro part is just flat wrong and a flimsy cheap imitation, I want to know and at that point, I will have to suck it in and get NOS.

[lakeholme]

This is the kit I used on my 67, from Heartbeat City;
http://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/20670/Camaro-Windowfelt-kit-coupe-10-piece-1967/         I was very pleased with the look and the fit.  And YES, it has the round bead trim.   
ko-lek-tor,  It looks like you have 69's, HBC has kits for all First Gens.

Mike, when you get a chance, could you post us a picture of the felts in your car?  Like I told Ko-lek-tor a while back, it is hard to find a set that looks original and fits well.  I'd appreciate it!

[MyRed67]

This is the kit I used on my 67, from Heartbeat City;
http://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/20670/Camaro-Windowfelt-kit-coupe-10-piece-1967/         I was very pleased with the look and the fit.  And YES, it has the round bead trim.   
ko-lek-tor,  It looks like you have 69's, HBC has kits for all First Gens.

Mike, when you get a chance, could you post us a picture of the felts in your car?  Like I told Ko-lek-tor a while back, it is hard to find a set that looks original and fits well.  I'd appreciate it!

Phillip,  yes I can get you some pics. but it will be a while, maybe even a month to 6 weeks.  The car is in a Car Jacket now, and I don't intend to take it out 'til the weather gets much nicer than it has been.  If you can wait, I'd be glad to.

[lakeholme]

No problem. Post it when you get a chance.

[Sauron327]

PUI vs GM felt comparison beginning at post #35 in this thread: http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=212160&page=3

[JohnZ]

Here are the original door and quarter window fuzzies on my unrestored '69Z.

[firstgenaddict]

The ends of the "good" repros's I have used and seen are not rolled like the originals, they are VERY SHARP.
The originals appear to have been cut using a tubing cutter, or some type of cutter which rolled/pinched the ends over, the repros appear to be saw cut and are blunt ended and sharp.
I have used a fine metal file to bevel the ends however they are still not Identical to the GM parts.


If this has changed I would like to know who carries the rolled end type.

[ko-lek-tor]

I just want all of you who have replied to know that I appreciate this advice and information. Thanks, Bentley.

[Sauron327]

Recently purchased PUI felts shown have sharp ends as James stated. PUI felts bought 10 years ago are the same. Quarter window felt shapes vary and may not match the window ledge contour very well.