53-55 door weatherstrip changes
Some time in 54 through 55 the door weatherstrip was installed in 3 pieces. Workers got tired of trying to put the bottom door area on upside down and fighting gravity. The solution was to cut the weathestrip and put the bottom piece on before the door was hung. Easy peasy! As a result that piece of rubber got painted when the door was painted. This is described in the TIMJG.
(First photo from a late 54, second from an early 55. Note: the 55 has been repainted so both pieces now have paint on them.)
Yager 54 063 (Medium).jpgPhinney 55 047 (Medium).jpg
Recently I noticed in photos of unrestored mid 53 (9500 miles) and early 54 (2300 miles) the door weatherstrip was put on in two pieces. The long piece runs most of the way around the door and ends at the top of the upper door hinge. To finish the run a second piece of about 12" starts after the hinge and on to the end of the door. That second piece appears to be installed flipped over in orientation. This 2 piece install is not mentioned in the TIMJG.
Miller 53 121 (Medium).jpgHall 54 264 (Medium).jpg
Both of the above cars have been modified in accordance with TSB 307 that came out in September 54. I've considered the possibility that the weatherstrip was cut off above the hinge as part of that modification. But TSB 307 does not call for that and in the 1953 photo you can see there is no sloppy excess glue above the hinge that would indicate a one piece weatherstrip was originally installed all the way past the hinge.
As per the above evidence from low mileage unrestored cars, I am of the belief that mid 53/early 54 and late 54/55 did not have one piece door weatherstrip. The question is then, "Did any 53, 54 or 55 have one continuous piece of door weatherstriping?" Possibly mid 54 or very early 53?
I know it is common practice for restorers to install the weatherstrip as one piece regardless of the year but I suspect that is not correct. If you have evidence from unrestored cars that would clarify the situation please jump in the discussion and share.
(First photo from a late 54, second from an early 55. Note: the 55 has been repainted so both pieces now have paint on them.)
Yager 54 063 (Medium).jpgPhinney 55 047 (Medium).jpg
Recently I noticed in photos of unrestored mid 53 (9500 miles) and early 54 (2300 miles) the door weatherstrip was put on in two pieces. The long piece runs most of the way around the door and ends at the top of the upper door hinge. To finish the run a second piece of about 12" starts after the hinge and on to the end of the door. That second piece appears to be installed flipped over in orientation. This 2 piece install is not mentioned in the TIMJG.
Miller 53 121 (Medium).jpgHall 54 264 (Medium).jpg
Both of the above cars have been modified in accordance with TSB 307 that came out in September 54. I've considered the possibility that the weatherstrip was cut off above the hinge as part of that modification. But TSB 307 does not call for that and in the 1953 photo you can see there is no sloppy excess glue above the hinge that would indicate a one piece weatherstrip was originally installed all the way past the hinge.
As per the above evidence from low mileage unrestored cars, I am of the belief that mid 53/early 54 and late 54/55 did not have one piece door weatherstrip. The question is then, "Did any 53, 54 or 55 have one continuous piece of door weatherstriping?" Possibly mid 54 or very early 53?
I know it is common practice for restorers to install the weatherstrip as one piece regardless of the year but I suspect that is not correct. If you have evidence from unrestored cars that would clarify the situation please jump in the discussion and share.