1963 coupe side window upper channels

[Frank D.]

I bought repro channels and the driver's side snapped in easily; the passenger side was just awful with the clips way off along the top. The picture shows the PS repro piece with the gray marks drawn where the clips SHOULD be......two questions:


1) Who has a decent repro ? Long Island maybe ?
2) What are the corner reinforcements supposed to look like ?
One side has a corner piece with its own bead covering the channel bead and mating to the horizontal garnish; the other side's corner piece is just a reinforcement without the bead as shown in the pictures...

[Leif A.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

Frankie,

Have you tried these folks?

http://www.corvette-rubber.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=db3cd55738abed757cfaf485eaaf76c4&Screen=PROD&Store_Code=cr&Product_Code=D323R&Category_Code=6C

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

No - I'll look into that outfit tomorrow !

[Donald L.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

Long Island is the one who makes the POS repro. I sent 2 sets back. I was able to use the original.

[Gary J.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

You never know the repro may be from Corvette Rubber

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

I replaced one in my 63 RH door and it did not come out well. At $125.00+ a set, if anyone comes across a good high quality set please post it. I am planning to do both sides again.

Cheers

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

I bought a set from Ecklers about 5 years ago, maybe acquired from LIC, and the snaps were properly placed. Maybe LIC has them made offshore now and they used their METRIC ruler to place them. Now we have even MORE reproductions that don't fit right. No matter the cost. Ask me about a few grand worth of Holley's lately.

FYI...

Original design had the forward stainless beads bent to fit into the vertical channels. Repros don't have this feature. I would expect a partial hit on the field due to this anomaly.

Originals
P1270004.jpgP1270007.jpgP1200029.JPGP1270008.jpg


This view shows the repro(upper item) after installation against the vertical. No transition bent beads at the joint. It would have been very easy for them to replicate that on the repro.
P1200038.JPG

It was a serious pain to get them to fit and look reasonably correct. I did both vent windows while I was at it.
P1220040.jpgP1220041.jpgP1220042.jpgP1220043.jpgP1220044.jpg

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

Those pics helped tremendously Rich (as usual). So I've spent the day moving the bubble clips on the repro PS channel to new locations to reinstall the piece. Man those clips were on TIGHT....a few casualties. Now, this morning I have to figure out how to knock "slots" for the clip tabs into new locations in the channel without destroying the flimsy metal (maybe a jeweler's screwdriver hammered through the channel). Drilling a hole is a no-go as a round hole of sufficient size to pass the clip removes the channel material needed for the clip tabs to "bite" when bent over.

I see in your pics the transition of the vertical bead on the rear vertical window channel on the inboard side to the door panel SS strip. I don't think there is any way my door panels can be made to fit close enough to allow that but I'll give it a shot - a much nicer transition than that bead just hanging in air.

Such fun!

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

Frank, Yes it's a pain but will be much better when you're done. In case you need, I just posted my whole picture folder of the trims on PB here if it'll help. If you need any measurements from my original pieces i have them here on a shelf.

http://s684.photobucket.com/user/richmz/library/Misc/1963%20Corvette%20Coupe%20Window%20Trims%20and%20Parts

Rich
ps, yes a sharp bladed punch will probably be best to make the new slots, or a tiny Dremel cutoff wheel.

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

Got clips moved without destroying the whole darn thing ! Now just gotta get the channel in the door; the button clips pushed in and work out the corner transition - no way it'll be as nice as yours....the Al Knoch deluxe door panels just don't curve outward enough to bring the horizontal stainless in close enough... You can see how far off the driver's side is with the same repro channels and door panels...any thoughts on that ??

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

Harry Sadlock:

Actually the LICS sets - with the corner reinforcement are $160/pair now - they won't sell an individual side either !

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

It's been a while since i did those, but I may have cut and massaged the stainless beading to get the fit better.

BTW, I had that set of inner corner reinforcement pieces in a kit and mounted them myself. The channels I bought had none installed and I got that kit years prior at a swap meet, knowing I'd need them. Very inexpensive.

Rich

[Alfred D.]

Re: 1963 coupe side window upper channels

Hi Richard , how do you install those inner corner reinforcement pieces? doing a restoration on my 1963 coupe working on doors now have all parts but end were not attached. any help or pics would be appreciated. nrcs# (55087) . Al Dutton