Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

[Garry B.]

Can someone provide me with a close up picture(s) of an original, installed windshield weatherstrip (interior side) showing the ribs that judges look for? I believe some years were 2 ribs and others were 3 ribs. These ribs are very thin lines that run parallel to the top of the dash. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Garry Barnes
#18531

[Mike M.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

never seen 3 ribs on originals . just 2. mike

[Richard M.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

Gary, In all of my time taking original C1's apart, I too have never seen 3 ribs. Sometimes 1 or 2 but never 3. Mostly no ribs. I always wondered if it was a myth.

Several years ago, when CRC Rubber Co had a problem with their replacement rubber being too long.......Gory details here.....
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...367#post688367

...Mike and I talked about the ribs then. I asked if they could reproduce the rubber with those original ribs but he said they cannot due to their extrusion process to make the rubber. He said those ribs were so light that he thought they were just a subtle feature in the original mold and wasn't really sure if they really existed. IMO the restoration police community have to rethink about this "feature" and there may be some misinformation about the infamous ribs. THere MAY have been some cars with them, but I'm not really sure if ALL cars had 3 ribs.

Kind of reminds me about the alleged myth about steering wheel grain on 1956 to 1962 steering wheels too, but that again is another whole controversy all on its own.

Rich

[David B.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

Rich,
Curious --- What "alleged myth about steering wheel grain" are you referring to?

[Richard M.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

Rich,
Curious --- What "alleged myth about steering wheel grain" are you referring to?

That grain ever existed on ORIGINAL cars.......

I have been doing C1's for over 35 years. My friend John has been doing C1's for over 50 years. NEITHER of us(and many others I know) have EVER seen a C1 steering wheel with plastic rim Grain. We have countless original examples in our possessions with no evidence ever of having grain. The most obvious places for it to be is directly behind the ring at the flats of the spoke areas. Never seen it.

The only steering wheels I have ever seen with grain are reproductions,, which I believe were manufactured using a NOS wheel(the other one with grain) from someone that got it from the Engineer that worked there at GM. IMO it was a test sample for the service replacement over the counter wheels. I believe Assembly Line cars had NO grain. Service replacements, maybe, but not original St Louis cars. That NOS wheel discussion is somewhere in the Archives here. My gut feel is that the sample was thought to be original, and was used to make thousands of reproductions.

I just found the thread. As far as I'm concerned, he Jury is still out.
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ng+wheel+grain

BTW, to me, those repros are awful, cheesy, chinessy, junk. I hate them.

David, if you, or anyone, has a GM Design print that shows grain, I will relinquish my opinion(and even eat crow), but I'd need some reel hard proof before I change my opinion.

Rich
PS You might think I'm a bit opinionated about this, but it's been a pet peeve of mine for a long, long time.

[Garry B.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

Mike and Rich, thanks for your comments and your years of observations. Frankly, I had a fairly well known restorer recently tell me that there was a three rib version, so I threw that in because in my 30 years of doing this I have learned that there is always something new to learn. I have two small samples of the two rib and have never seen a three rib. The ribs do look intentional, but we may never know. Would still ask for pics if anyone has or can take some for me as installed. Thanks.

[Chris S.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

Gary - I have an early 54 and 56 windshield here that have never been apart - I will look at them tonight.....

[Gary C.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

Garry,

Many moons ago Mike Hunt and I had a discussion about the two ribs on the windshield weatherstrip. Hunt's opinion that I agree with at the time was that the two ribs were a manufacturer ID similar to the ribs on heater hoses. Just a thought.

Always two ribs, I've never observed 3 ribs on any original 1957 windshield weatherstrip.

Gary
....

[Garry B.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

Chris, I always appreciate the help. Hopefully your photo skills are as sharply honed as your corvette knowledge! I look forward to seeing what you find. Thanks a bunch.

Gary, always good to hear from you. I would tend to agree with what you and Mike Hunt determined. The ribs are clearly defined and seem intentional. Thanks for your comments and any additional information you can provide as this goes forward.

[David B.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

That grain ever existed on ORIGINAL cars.......

I have been doing C1's for over 35 years. My friend John has been doing C1's for over 50 years. NEITHER of us(and many others I know) have EVER seen a C1 steering wheel with plastic rim Grain. We have countless original examples in our possessions with no evidence ever of having grain. The most obvious places for it to be is directly behind the ring at the flats of the spoke areas. Never seen it.

The only steering wheels I have ever seen with grain are reproductions,, which I believe were manufactured using a NOS wheel(the other one with grain) from someone that got it from the Engineer that worked there at GM. IMO it was a test sample for the service replacement over the counter wheels. I believe Assembly Line cars had NO grain. Service replacements, maybe, but not original St Louis cars. That NOS wheel discussion is somewhere in the Archives here. My gut feel is that the sample was thought to be original, and was used to make thousands of reproductions.

I just found the thread. As far as I'm concerned, he Jury is still out.
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ng+wheel+grain

BTW, to me, those repros are awful, cheesy, chinessy, junk. I hate them.

David, if you, or anyone, has a GM Design print that shows grain, I will relinquish my opinion(and even eat crow), but I'd need some reel hard proof before I change my opinion.

Rich
PS You might think I'm a bit opinionated about this, but it's been a pet peeve of mine for a long, long time.

Rich,
Did not mean to open old wounds on the steering wheel subject. I was unaware there ever was a question about grain vs non.
It appears you and I would be on opposite sides of the fence on that issue. I do have the original Inland Manufacturing Division print on the steering wheel unfortunately however it does not specify the grain, only the mold#s used to make. Unlike you real "old guys" I will not reveal how many years I have been involved. To help apply a bandage to your wound I think I can dig up a couple of old colored photos of a new red wheel taken off Sebring car #9 that was replaced with another, sold it years ago for a premium. Did not mean to get into the weatherstrip thread on this issue just curious.

[Richard M.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

Gary, A original '60 is 20 feet away from me here and will try to get pics later.

[Garry B.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

No harm in jumping to steering wheel discussion. All good stuff and up for debate.

Here is a photo of what I have showing the 2 rib windshield seal. I am not sure what section this is cut from because there is no "skirt" that usually lays down (or doesn't sometimes) on the dash. I am trying to confirm the configuration and location of the ribs just to be sure. I haven't seen one on an actual car in a long time.

[Joel M.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

John Neas has the orig steering wheel from 1956 vin 009 with less than 14K miles, and it absolutely has grain.

[Richard M.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

John Neas has the orig steering wheel from 1956 vin 009 with less than 14K miles, and it absolutely has grain.

Joel, Interesting. However, I am under the understanding that John's Sebring #7 car was restored, correct? If the original wheel is still on the car I'd very much like to see close-up photos of the wheel showing the grain. I have at times been confused about the appearance of micro-cracks on original wheels being considered grain, as shown on that beige wheel I pictured in that earlier linked post I referenced.

The Sebring #1 car still bears its original wheel......NO grain. It has aged and shows signs of micro-cracking.

I would be relatively okay if I'm proven wrong, but I guess even though I'm originally from Boston, I'm also from Missouri.

No harm in jumping to steering wheel discussion. All good stuff and up for debate.

Here is a photo of what I have showing the 2 rib windshield seal. I am not sure what section this is cut from because there is no "skirt" that usually lays down (or doesn't sometimes) on the dash. I am trying to confirm the configuration and location of the ribs just to be sure. I haven't seen one on an actual car in a long time.

Garry, Great photo. I apologize I didn't get that photo of the original '60 windshield rubber yesterday. Got wrapped up with a '56/'57(no windshield on that one). I will try today, but can't promise. I'm also going to get some macro-shots of the original steering wheel too.
These is the car and some file photos I took a few years ago. It's been sitting there for many years. Notice the mileage. Original paint, etc. IIRC carpet was very faded so it got replaced. I think the original carpet is in a box somewhere.


Notice the dichromate(yellow) on the lid hardware. Again that's another piece of the puzzle surrounding our JG's, but I don't want to divert the diversion with yet more obfuscation.


Rich
PS I know you're okay with the the rubber-to-wheel-hijack, but I still still want to apologize for the alteration of topic. David's inquiry sparked a few goose bumps to appear and I got a little jittery. Sorry.

[David B.]

Re: Original C1 windshield weatherstrip w/ ribs

You are correct Rich, #009 was in pieces when Frank Buck purchased from Rick Carrol. Neas I believe is 7th owner since Chevrolet Engineering. (14K miles??). Steering wheel I referred to was originally on car when it was purchased from Miami Dealership. It was pulled off at Sebring when car was converted to #7 entry. This wheel was included as part of inventory left over and never reinstalled. Took photo of wheel in mid 80's because I was surprised how clear grain looked. Blueprint does show a couple of revisions 5-16-57, 9-11-57 and 3-14-59. Have not followed up on what they were. Again, sorry about the thread maybe should start a new one on C1 steering wheels.