I do not know if anyone is making them, but I suspect not as everyone seems to need them.

The Windshield Header and the Bow#1 garnish pieces, they are made from ABS and most of them are cracked from what I can tell.

I know that there are basically two designs for the header 1985 - 1988 and 1989 - 1992 ASC Convertibles. And THREE designs for the Bow #1 piece. 1985 - 1988, 1989 and 1990 - 1992. I got the information from the Parts and Illustration catalogs.

I suspect the bow#1 garnish for 1989 and 1990-1992 are similar but the difference is probably to accommodate the 1990+ Headliner. But I am not sure how they are different.


I am starting with my 1989, as that is what I have on hand and can copy. I am planning on setting up and making new ABS units. As of today I created a new Website for this, it will be a division or part of my existing business that makes Windshields and windows for aircraft. I want to get my ducks in a row before advertising.

One thing I noticed about my pieces is it appears that they have actually shrunk, about 1/4" total, which causes them to crack.

Lon or anyone that has a clue, it would be appreciated.

Thanks

John

 

John, Being ABS the parts are hydroscopic and assorb & lose moisture over time and that is why they become brittle. That could also be the cause of the shrinkage but a 1/4" is a lot. I find that using a protectant like AmourAll [i know some people hate it] on my IROC keeps all my plastic parts flexible and in great shape. You can also fill in the cracks with a filler like Weldon 40 and use it to apply small patches of ABS plastic to reinforce the repair. Any local plastics distributor should have pcs in stock. I will check out the windshield header on my 88 when i get her. I believe it is in excellent shape with minimum cracking. Down the road maybe you can use it as a template.

 

Apparently heat also causes the ABS to shrink. I was just at my local Plastics distributor and we were talking about making molds, and he told me that when I make the mold, not to let it get too hot as it could cause the original to shrink. I suspect that since the parts were actually originally Vacuum formed that they want to go back to their native state when you apply heat. The native state would be a flat sheet.

The biggest issue I have right now is the fact the parts are so flimsy. I have to support the part to get a good working mold from it.

How I figured it looked like it shrank approx 1/4" is the fact that the area where the clamps attach to the Windshield Header, the Windshield Header garnish appears to be about 1/8" short on both side, when you measure from the Center screw. The Header piece has a bump that goes around the latch these bumps did not line up with the Latch. I am honestly not sure how much of this is due to the fact it was only 40°F when I removed the pieces. Also I found a crack that I did not know I had when I removed the sun visors, On the LH side I found a Huge crack that was spread 1/8".

Thanks for the input.

John

 

come on, do you really think that all of this lined up exactly when these left the factory? not bloody likely given the "quality" of GM stuff on the 3rd gens

 

Considering it had to line up at SOME point because there was an obvious spread of the crack.

Actually there is an update. I contacted Bruce hawkins ,and apparently he has been working on the Header pieces for the past few years. he already has the Header pieces ready for sale

1989 & 1992 http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ca...nyl-1-1-1.aspx

1987 & 1988 http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ca...vinyl-1-1.aspx

He is working on the 1987 & 1988 Bow #1 Garnish, and the 1990-1992 Garnish, I am sending him my 1989 Garnish for a template.

John

 

if the crack isnt too big, you can plastic weld the back of it using a soldering iron. My car being converted from left to right had a flimsey dash until I removed it and did some of this plastic welding on it. Tightened it right up. I also have done some on the sills and the rear bow. Do it on the back side.

 

There is a definate market for replacement 3rdgen convertible parts. I remember when 2ndgen parts were so hard to find and now you can get just about everything you need. That will be the case with 3rdgens down the road....

 

I am closing this thread because Hawksthirdgenparts.com is going to be offering the parts for sale shortly. He already has some of the parts done.

John