T top seals (Page 2/3)
cliffw JUN 30, 08:16 AM

quote
Originally posted by hyperv6:
Appreciate the thought but we have seen this movie more than once.

A good hearted soul offers to see if they can gets seals made. Everyone say hell yes.

The kind hearted soul then calls a number of companies and finds that most are not interested and those tgat are will key do it gor so many hundred sets at a price that makes all the hell yes people vanish.

I am not trying to be negative but this is how it generally goes.

The real trouble is the low number of demand and the fact many Fiero owners are low buck folks un willing or unable to spend the money for this part. No reflection on anyone but just the way it is.

Low volume products are not cheap and even at $700 it would be a deal if you have water running in.

My hope is they may be able to print a part like this to remove the low volume issue so it could be done much cheaper.

Till then I expect these to be a very important part many want but will not pay the price for it.



I prepaid, or was it an investment, (I forget), Lori from the Fiero Factory for her endeavor in making factory correct quarter glass windows for the fastback. It never came to fruition. I am not upset with her. I was also in for Pokey Fiero's factory correct quarter window. They also never came to fruition.

(I was able to locate a brand new old stock set of factory quarter panel windows, in the original GM box. About a decade ago. I paid 800+. I have not used them yet.)

My dumb ass did not get in early, nor at all in Keith Goodyear's fastback tail lights. I think, I do not remember, I could have had a set (before production) for $400.00. After fruition and a limited run they are no longer available. Selling for up to $1,800.00 a set on ebay. They are selling.

This could would be a grate investment for those that do not even have a T Top.

hyperv6 JUN 30, 09:02 AM

quote
Originally posted by cliffw:


I prepaid, or was it an investment, (I forget), Lori from the Fiero Factory for her endeavor in making factory correct quarter glass windows for the fastback. It never came to fruition. I am not upset with her. I was also in for Pokey Fiero's factory correct quarter window. They also never came to fruition.

(I was able to locate a brand new old stock set of factory quarter panel windows, in the original GM box. About a decade ago. I paid 800+. I have not used them yet.)

My dumb ass did not get in early, nor at all in Keith Goodyear's fastback tail lights. I think, I do not remember, I could have had a set (before production) for $400.00. After fruition and a limited run they are no longer available. Selling for up to $1,800.00 a set on ebay. They are selling.

This could would be a grate investment for those that do not even have a T Top.



We are at that tipping point with a number of parts where they are not available reproduction or NOS. If you are lucky to find them it is best to buy them.

I have extra NOS t tops in case I drop one.

Have been saying it is best to buy a low mileage Fieros today as to restore one can cost more than to buy a clean low mileage one.

I have two other cars and I can nearly build one with reproduction parts but they built more of these cars and they are worth enough to make expensive parts people will buy.

One is a 911 1986 and I got a brand new fender from Porsche. But it was not cheap.

cowboy39 JUN 30, 09:05 AM

quote
Originally posted by hyperv6:

Sharonville, Ohio Is where Soft Seal is but they were just sold sold. That would be a long shot that a new owner would take on such a project.

The. Best company to do this would the Fiero Store but even for them it would be a major investment just to make one run.

Our best bet is a well off Fiero fan invests for gaskets with their own money. But if you are that well off are you restoring a Fiero? Not saying we are brok but this is a very expensive project. Cars like Ferrari etc have people willing and able to pay what ever for some parts,

Sadly I just don’t see an easy cheap way to get this done unless it could printed then how good would the durability be.

Glass soon will be an issue. Most new glass is gone for t tops. Used panels are often scratched.

We did have on place make side Windows but there easier to sell since ever one had two of them.

Good luck.

Might try Metro again too.




That's the company am calling today
hyperv6 JUN 30, 12:33 PM

quote
Originally posted by cowboy39:
That's the company am calling today




Good Luck. I really would like to have a back up set if some how it ever works out.
cowboy39 JUN 30, 02:25 PM
Sorry to get everybody's hopes up.I called a couple different companies.And they're talking in the 5 digits to make these i also called the Fierro store and they said they would talk about it and see if it would be worth it for them to make them.I told him it would be a couple months before I installed them.He said he would get back to me and let me know something wasn't trying to get richer anything just trying to help the community out.Because I know these things are hard to come by if anybody has any ideals, let me know.
Raydar JUN 30, 04:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by cowboy39:

Sorry to get everybody's hopes up.I called a couple different companies.And they're talking in the 5 digits to make these
...



Thanks for trying. Those of us who have been here for a while kind of expected that outcome. But someday, someone (maybe even you?) might surprise us all.
I think it's going to take a new process (printing was mentioned?) but it's going to be a challenge.

This is why I sold/traded my T-top car, 24 years ago. Parts - including seals - were still out there, but prices were getting stupid.
Aside from that, I much prefer a sunroof, that I can reach up and "pop open", instead of having to stop and remove panels. Also makes it lots easier to "undo" if it starts raining.
But everyone has their own preferences. Enjoy your ride!

------------------
Raydar
88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550

Praise the Lowered!

hyperv6 JUN 30, 07:00 PM
Yep that has been the pattern.

I never was trying to diss you but I have seen a number of people go down this same road.

Our best bet is the Fiero store as they could move this but it would take them time to get back their investment. Are they willing to have that money sitting on the shelf that long?

Sadly our list of impossible parts to find is just getting longer.

What would be nice is if someone could get the right seal but one we could cut and glue into the right shape. Not perfect but better than nothing.

[This message has been edited by hyperv6 (edited 06-30-2025).]

cliffw JUN 30, 10:44 PM

quote
Originally posted by Raydar:
This is why I sold/traded my T-top car, 24 years ago.



It is also the reason my seller sold me his. About 22 years ago. It was in the PFF mall for more than a week, located in San Antonio, close to where I lived. I had been out of town the whole time. Not one interesting party reply, but mine.

An 88GT T Top, $4,500.00. 98,000 miles. I drove it like I stole it (T Tops).

He told me he never used the T Tops. As he was afraid of seal use fail failure. Mine still do not leak, but they will at sometime.
cliffw JUN 30, 10:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by Raydar:
Aside from that, I much prefer a sunroof, that I can reach up and "pop open", instead of having to stop and remove panels. Also makes it lots easier to "undo" if it starts raining.



Pop open, or remove. If removed and raining, you still have to stop to put it back on. Ask me how I know.

Where do you find replacement seals ?
cowboy39 JUL 01, 10:51 AM
I'm open to any ideas if anybody has any. I'm just trying to help this community. I'm not trying to get rich off of this.