History / RestorationGot a question about Third Gen (1982-1992) Camaro or Firebird history? Where can I find these original parts? What is this option or RPO code? Those questions, answers, and more!
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View Poll Results: Which do you prefer rubber or plastic
Quick question for you guys. On the roof rails for the T-Top glass what do you prefer the plastic ones or the rubber ones?
As much input from everyone would be appreciated.We're working with one of our suppliers to reproduce these roof rails for you guys,as a good quality piece.
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Tony, I'd have to say plastic. I replaced the stock rubber ones on my Formula a while back with the updated plastic ones and not only did they look better just because they were perfectly straight and not wavy after sitting in the sun, but also I think the longevity is better for the plastic ones.
The old rubber ones would "ooze" out of the ttop when the sun heated the glue up, I did not have that problem with the new ones.
Mark
__________________ 1992 Trans Am "RARE 92" ----- Jamaica Yellow, L98, 147K, All Original CA car 1991 Trans Am GTA ------------*2,800 miles*--1st Place Stock, TA Nats 2009 1992 Trans Am "PMD 92" ------47K, Best of Show, ThirdGen Fest 2008 1989 Formula 350 "PMD 89" ....Sold.... Redline Performance Machines
Tony, I'd have to say plastic. I replaced the stock rubber ones on my Formula a while back with the updated plastic ones and not only did they look better just because they were perfectly straight and not wavy after sitting in the sun, but also I think the longevity is better for the plastic ones.
The old rubber ones would "ooze" out of the ttop when the sun heated the glue up, I did not have that problem with the new ones.
Mark
That's what Dan (1ADan) said to me.He also thought the plastic ones were better also because they didn't tear like the rubber ones tended to.
Keep posting guys, the more feedback on this one the better.
From an accuracy standpoint, I would prefer the rubber.
I understand the longevity of the plastic and in fact that is what GM currently supplies as a replacement for the rubber, but I am in the middle of a ground-up restoration on one of my GTAs and my 1984 Trans Am is eligible for collector's status. So, for me original counts most.
From an accuracy standpoint, I would prefer the rubber.
I understand the longevity of the plastic and in fact that is what GM currently supplies as a replacement for the rubber, but I am in the middle of a ground-up restoration on one of my GTAs and my 1984 Trans Am is eligible for collector's status. So, for me original counts most.
Hoestly no one has ever noticed that my 87 had the plastic. I personally prefer the 91.5 - 92 plastic style because 1) they do not leak, 2) they look better, IMHO. 3) since it is the GM replacement, who is to argue that it is "Wrong"
One thing that I noticed is the GM original stuff that I got was awesome compared to the replacement OER stuff. the OER appears to be getting better, but at first it was real crap. The GM seal was so much nicer and cleaner fit and finish.
John
__________________ 87 FORMULA - 5.1 LB9/A4 T-tops 3.73 Modified (Yellow/Black)
87 FORMULA - 5.0 LB9/M5 T-tops 3.45 (Yellow/Gray)
89 FORMULA 350 - CONVERTIBLE 3.27 All original (Red/Gray) www.3rdgenformula.com
I REALLY wish I had the plastic. after time the rubber ones slide out from under the glass in back and they are impossable to push back in, then they rip and you gotta cut them, just a pain.
I REALLY wish I had the plastic. after time the rubber ones slide out from under the glass in back and they are impossable to push back in, then they rip and you gotta cut them, just a pain.
That was one of the problems when I bought my 87 in 1997. The rubber was pulling out of the top, it was wavy, it looked like crap. When I got the replacement kit in 1998 (for $175 what a deal) I was honestly was surprised to see that it was very different.
Some of the changes, I call them real improvements,
1) like drain holes in the A-pillar and B-pillar sections. The original stuff did not have those provisions.
2) The most obvious improvement (and the topic of this thread ) is the plastic piece that is not all wavy.
I dont care for the plastic myself. I never could keep it from looking chalky and once I got some wax on the edges of it, never did get it off. I've also had the door glass hit the plastic strips and sometimes not fit in the seal right because of it. Never had those issues with the old rubber seals I replaced.
From an originality perspective, I would want the rubber. Yes, the rubber ones do have a tendancy to "droop" in the heat, but that was a factory issue on the earlier cars. In response to John, regarding nobody noticing...That's now. As these cars get older, who do you think will be judging them at shows? Some of us!! If you all recall, I had points deducted from my car during a 1000 point inspection because the hush panels were not in place. The judge "thought" he knew what he was doing, but in fact he was wrong. As we continue to restore these cars, there are experts that know enough minor details to be able to judge a restored car as accurate or updated. "Correct" cars carry a higher value and being correct carries a higher status.
Case in point, I removed the inner fender liner to repair the power antenna. At the same time, I decided to put the top screw back into the heater core plastic cover. While not paying attention to which screw was which, I swapped them. For weeks I knew I did this, but knowing that it wasn't correct, I tore the dash apart again, removed the blasted hardest screw to get at with the heater core and replaced it with the correct screw. This matters to some in being correct and accurate.
[quote=scottmoyer;4249151]From an originality perspective, I would want the rubber. Yes, the rubber ones do have a tendancy to "droop" in the heat, but that was a factory issue on the earlier cars. In response to John, regarding nobody noticing...That's now. As these cars get older, who do you think will be judging them at shows? Some of us!!
I had ordered the T-top rails from GM and was surprised to see the plastic ones. That was not right for what was on the car - I sent them back. Take that as you will. I then found a set of immaculate T-tops from a 1987 Camaro - those are comfortably stored.
I say plastic. im not concerned with original, just better. my car sees some pretty extreme temp changes and the rubber ones on it now sag like crazy in the heat. looks like a licorice. they also seem to be gradually sliding out the front
Last year i bought a set of GM ttop weatherstripping kit, expensive, yes, but at least it came with the updated provisions....as long as they improved the exisiting product to prevent further issues then i'm okay with it. Of course i take my GTA everywhere in the summer and not just for cruises and car shows, but I also drive it on good days to work and of course the car is gonna be sitting in the sun so I don't want the same issue to happen again like the rubber ones....my ending conclusing on that would be..plastic...
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Plastic all the way!!! How can you go back to that rubber crap? GM made a mistake and corrected it by offering plastic replacements... I fixed mine and it looks SO much better than that wavy plastic peice that let all the water in and made noise flapping through the wind... Go with the better material, don't stay with crap just because GM offered it back in the 80's...
Later,
-Marc
__________________ "An engine is like an orchestra. It's made up of wind, brass, percussion, and a whole range of other complimentary sections, all working to make that beautiful music that we call 'performance'..."
I had ordered the T-top rails from GM and was surprised to see the plastic ones. That was not right for what was on the car - I sent them back. Take that as you will. I then found a set of immaculate T-tops from a 1987 Camaro - those are comfortably stored. 
