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The photos below illustrate the condition of the window trim and adjacent rear panels in my ‘77. It’s been that way since I got the car 24 years ago. I’ve had all the panels and trim out to clean them and try to correct those terrible panel fits. It went back together exactly the same.
It seems all the screws are engaging the correct holes, tabs, etc. Everything is screwed in solid. Nothing stripped and what looks like all original screws. All the panels are in great condition and I think they and the window trim (cracked in one location) are original.
Did all my panels shrink? Is this typical fit in this interior area? Any suggestions to make this look a little better?
Nothing shrank, think it is a quality control problem.
100% The cars back them were not built to within 2mm tolerances like many are done today. And at the rate of cars being made each day...they were not going to waste time on this area.
And lets be honest. IF you bought this car new...you do honestly think you are going to pick it to death. Heck no...you are going to drive it and show it off.
GM's standard back then was not like it is today. Do not lose sleep over it. I get customers who complain about this and want me to fix it and I just roll my eyes. They do not understand that it is often times NOT as easy as it seems.
Being a press molded piece of fiberglas that is covered in vinyl...and how it attaches and engages into the door jamb area. Well...it is what it is...because trying to get it to go back further so it can move and not bind up. Is like I wrote ..is not as easy as it may seem.
Simply trying to pull it over to close up the gap does not always work due to the tension it is being put under.
I am NOT saying that it can not be fixed and hold its position...but do not be surprised if it takes you a bit of time to do so.
I appreciate the feedback. At least I'm not the only one. I'd really like to improve on the fits though, somehow. Looks like spacing the side panels inward a bit would help with some of it. Maybe next time I have the panels off I'll take another look.
Amazing that people settled for that kind of quality in a new car, back in the day.
The only trick that I know of that has worked for me is that when I am doing an interior. The horizontal panel that runs under the back window. I often times have to replace the horizontal panel under the back glass. I have the manufacture make it longer and NOT glue and pull the vinyl over and around the end. I can make that horizontal panel as long as I need it sot that seam is clean and tight.
I have also added fiberglass to original due to it was not broken and removed the old vinyl and put new vinyl on it. Rarely and I lucky enough o have enough of the original vinyl that wraps around the end to allow me to heat it up and pull it back and extend the length and re-apply the vinyl.
You would be surprised on how many people do not worry about it. They feel it gives the car character due to that is how it was made. Different strokes for different folks.
The only trick that I know of that has worked for me is that when I am doing an interior. The horizontal panel that runs under the back window. I often times have to replace the horizontal panel under the back glass. I have the manufacture make it longer and NOT glue and pull the vinyl over and around the end. I can make that horizontal panel as long as I need it sot that seam is clean and tight.
I have also added fiberglass to original due to it was not broken and removed the old vinyl and put new vinyl on it. Rarely and I lucky enough o have enough of the original vinyl that wraps around the end to allow me to heat it up and pull it back and extend the length and re-apply the vinyl.
You would be surprised on how many people do not worry about it. They feel it gives the car character due to that is how it was made. Different strokes for different folks.
DUB
DUB
it shows how far things have come since then, and how spoiled we’ve become. I like my 77 with it’s various “flaws” the way it is.
Interior Rear Panel Fit
100% The cars back them were not built to within 2mm tolerances like many are done today. And at the rate of cars being made each day...they were not going to waste time on this area.
