Alrighty... Put me down on the list of those interested in seals. I'm sure if at least one production run was made on the seals and all the T-top owners would purchase a replacement, spare, or both, the product cost would be lower... thus better for everybody.
------------------ Got Blue?
BlueGT
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12:58 PM
RAREW66 Member
Posts: 1119 From: Davenport, IA USA Registered: Jun 2001
I will definately buy a set if available. Thanks for taking the time to move this project along.
My opinion is that just the CJB version of the seals should be made. Have you considered having the the "shingle" made to go with the set? It does make a big difference in the sealing of the tops.
Fred
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10:43 PM
Nov 13th, 2005
AusFiero Member
Posts: 11513 From: Dapto NSW Australia Registered: Feb 2001
Hey guys, just got back from Mazatlan so was a little out of touch!
(note: massages are really good there)
I added all the new names to the list we are at 68 now, which is great as for the price no idea yet but will keep communicating with Steel to get one for us all. Casper
88 with 350 chev.
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06:50 PM
blackrams Member
Posts: 32993 From: Covington, TN, USA Registered: Feb 2003
Well, believing is seeing and in this case touching, but if by some remote stroke of luck, the planets become aligned and some one actually produces the CJB seals, I've got two CJBs that are gonna eventually need new seals. So when you get a price, let me know. Till then, I'll watch this thread and hope against hope, blow out bithday candles, break evey wish bone I can find and make a wish on shooting stars that this comes to fruition.
Anything $500 a set or less interests me.
------------------ Ron Freedom isn't Free, it's always earned. My imagination is the only limiting factor to my Fiero. Well, there is that money issue.
------------------ Marty Wibert : 88 GT 5 speed. S/N 200372 built in 87. Number 8 in the T-Top registry. Black with twin (skunk) stripes, gold wheels, and beechwood interior. ~ 86,500 mi.
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09:48 AM
PFF
System Bot
Nov 28th, 2005
davikan Member
Posts: 688 From: Las Vegas, NV USA Registered: Jul 2005
So what is the status of this? Not that I'm getting my hopes up, well, maybe just a bit.
------------------ Ron Freedom isn't Free, it's always earned. My imagination is the only limiting factor to my Fiero. Well, there is that money issue.
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08:21 PM
Dec 14th, 2005
Caspermont Member
Posts: 59 From: meridian, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2003
Hi Everyone, Hope that you all got to take some time off and rest a bit before you hit the new year.
Just before the break I recieved a call back from a Product manager at Steel Rubber. This was the call I had been waiting for to find out some real data on how the project was going.
So I will tell you the bad news first and then the good news.
His name is Eddie and a really nice guy. He said they make all there products in house, no overseas models or manufacturing. They like the quality doing it this why. It also makes the seals expensive but they seem to have a good business so they continue to do it in house. He looked at our seals and they have decided to pass on doing the seals for us. The reasons are that they are really busy right now and they are choosing to make other seals over ours because they can sell more of them. They could make a little money on our seals but not as much as the other products they are looking into. Its a manufacturing choice really. Eddie said if they needed the work or we could guarentee 1000's of them that would make a difference. He also guessed that the cost could be $700 - $800 for the seals. I knew the seals were going to be expensive but I also thought that was a bit high.
He told me that our seals and how many we need was just not a good business move for them.... BUT!
Now the good news:
Eddie also told me of 2 other companies that make seals for cars and that one of them in particular worked with overseas mold makers to keep there costs down and they might be interested in helping us out. He was very positive about the idea and gave me the man's name to talk to and the phone number of the company. He told me to tell them I had talked to Eddie as a reference. I have not called them yet but will this week. So we are not dead on this idea yet.
So bad news Steel Rubber will not build them
but good news we might have some one else that will!
When I know more again I will get back on the forum to let you know. sorry this is taking so long, I'm waiting like you are also.
Thanks for the update, too bad steel rubber decided to pass. I really hope you have better luck with the other company, I can see where I'm definitly going to need seals somewhere down the road.
And thanks again for all the effort.
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04:39 PM
PFF
System Bot
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Well it's not the news I was hoping for, but maybe something will come of it eventually. Time to get out the hot glue and scissors in the mean time and make my own.
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05:50 PM
Caspermont Member
Posts: 59 From: meridian, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2003
I have a top that I would like to put on but the seals are not very good. It would make the car look bad also so will just have to wait to see if I can make this work out.
Casper
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05:59 PM
fiero_fan Junior Member
Posts: 10 From: Vernon, B.C. Canada Registered: Feb 2004
Here's another company to check out if you don't have the link already: www.tahu-rubber.com I meant to go see them while at SEMA in November but never got the chance. They are from Taiwan but seem to make alot of different weatherstrips for varied applications.
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07:24 PM
AusFiero Member
Posts: 11513 From: Dapto NSW Australia Registered: Feb 2001
There was a company over here that could make them. When I had a new set I looked into it but no one was willing to pay the $1000 AU for a set. At the time that was only $550 US. Looks like it is going to be a case of adapt what you can.
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07:42 PM
Boomtastic Member
Posts: 2359 From: Athens, Alabama Registered: May 2000
We have been down that road twice, once with the org. company that made them and (I hope not the same guy) a guy/company located in CT. If it is the same (not too many that do that) person the answer is the same, they all need to make 1000's to make it work for them.
Once more good luck, and be very careful who you give the seals to.
[This message has been edited by fieroparts.com (edited 01-03-2006).]
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08:16 PM
Jan 4th, 2006
Caspermont Member
Posts: 59 From: meridian, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2003
There was a company over here that could make them. When I had a new set I looked into it but no one was willing to pay the $1000 AU for a set. At the time that was only $550 US. Looks like it is going to be a case of adapt what you can.
Hold that thought. We might have to look into your vendor if all of this falls through on the other side of the pond. It's easier for me to work with some one over here so will exaust the options here first but you never know. Seems do able so far. Casper
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10:56 AM
AusFiero Member
Posts: 11513 From: Dapto NSW Australia Registered: Feb 2001
Hi Everyone, Hope that you all got to take some time off and rest a bit before you hit the new year.
Just before the break I recieved a call back from a Product manager at Steel Rubber. This was the call I had been waiting for to find out some real data on how the project was going.
So I will tell you the bad news first and then the good news.
His name is Eddie and a really nice guy. He said they make all there products in house, no overseas models or manufacturing. They like the quality doing it this why. It also makes the seals expensive but they seem to have a good business so they continue to do it in house. He looked at our seals and they have decided to pass on doing the seals for us. The reasons are that they are really busy right now and they are choosing to make other seals over ours because they can sell more of them. They could make a little money on our seals but not as much as the other products they are looking into. Its a manufacturing choice really. Eddie said if they needed the work or we could guarentee 1000's of them that would make a difference. He also guessed that the cost could be $700 - $800 for the seals. I knew the seals were going to be expensive but I also thought that was a bit high.
He told me that our seals and how many we need was just not a good business move for them.... BUT!
Now the good news:
Eddie also told me of 2 other companies that make seals for cars and that one of them in particular worked with overseas mold makers to keep there costs down and they might be interested in helping us out. He was very positive about the idea and gave me the man's name to talk to and the phone number of the company. He told me to tell them I had talked to Eddie as a reference. I have not called them yet but will this week. So we are not dead on this idea yet.
So bad news Steel Rubber will not build them
but good news we might have some one else that will!
[This message has been edited by fieroparts.com (edited 05-10-2006).]
IP: Logged
09:16 PM
Jan 26th, 2006
PePe-LePu_For_2 Member
Posts: 284 From: San Ramon, CA, USA Registered: Jun 2005
By way of the J.C. Whitney web site I just visited the site of one of their suppliers. A company by the name of Metro Moldings Inc. https://secure.metrommp.com/index1.htm They are located in MN. They have a car club link on the page that I have given here. Sounds interesting! Has anyone spoken with them yet?
Has anyone seriously looked at the Camaro / Firebird seals to see if they will work.
I was looking at a Camaro with a t-top the other day and the door glass looks identical to the Fieros. The windshield has about the same backwards slope. The only thing I could see is maybe the seal is too long. It could be cut and bonded back together near the T-bar since water wouldn't be a problem there anyway.
I'm thinking if the angle of the seal between the door glass and t-top glass is the same as the Fieros it might work.
Anyone have a t-top Camaro or Firebird they can look at and compare?
I have a nieghbor that had a t-top Camaro. The problem is I think him and his wife are in the middle of a divorce because I haven't seen the car in a few months.
------------------ 87 Fiero GT White / Blue Pearl Soon to be 3800 S/C T-Top, 11.25" brakes Whaletail, Mecham Scoops, ZR1 Scoop T/A Fender Vents, Much Much More
Has anyone seriously looked at the Camaro / Firebird seals to see if they will work.
I was looking at a Camaro with a t-top the other day and the door glass looks identical to the Fieros. The windshield has about the same backwards slope. The only thing I could see is maybe the seal is too long. It could be cut and bonded back together near the T-bar since water wouldn't be a problem there anyway.
I'm thinking if the angle of the seal between the door glass and t-top glass is the same as the Fieros it might work.
Anyone have a t-top Camaro or Firebird they can look at and compare?
I have a nieghbor that had a t-top Camaro. The problem is I think him and his wife are in the middle of a divorce because I haven't seen the car in a few months.
We did that a long time ago. We went a bought some other seals recently and revisited this and found that we can piece two seals together to make one very good alterative one. Since they may never get reproduced it may be the best option.
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08:44 AM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I have a pair of C&C T-Top seals for a firebird. they are very close, but the center U part of the seal that the glass sits on is too long. I grabbed them just incase I found a way to shorten the U part some day. still not sure how it could be done right
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11:27 AM
FieroMonkey Member
Posts: 3294 From: poway,CA,USA Registered: Nov 2002
Which generation Camaro? Where do you make the cuts? This is on my list of things to do until, (if) reproduction seals are made.
3rd gen firebirds show up in the bone yards every so often with them. Surprisingly, they always seem to be in better shape than Fiero t-top seals for some reason. I am not a 3rd gen f-body guru, but I believe C&C only did the t-tops for the f-body for 1 maybe 2 years in the mid 80's
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11:30 AM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I assumed you used Camaro/firebird seals. If not then would you mind sharing which seals are the closest match?
I own a REAL Fiero parts business, (the kind that pays income taxes) I have been doing that since January 7th 1989 I do it to make money, to put food on the table, pay the bills and to keep a roof over my families head and to provide a service for the Fiero community. I just spent $651.29 to buy all kinds of other t-top seals to try and put something together for the t-top owner's that have a real need for these seals. So by telling the world that this is a GM or a Ford or a Toyota or a Nissan or a C&C or a what ever, t-top seal I won’t make any money now would I ? It gets harder and harder to stay in the business when no one wants to pay for parts that I have shelled out big bucks for or spent big bucks for or in the RD of a part. So I would mind sharing which seal(s) that are the closest match. So people can buy them from me or find out like I did (650.00 worth of finding out) I stopped buying as soon as I got it this close. I hope this answers your question.
Thanks Tim
[This message has been edited by fieroparts.com (edited 01-26-2006).]
