What is the correct GM part numbers for t-top weatherstrips on a 1971 Corvette Coupe?

[Tom S.]

Does anyone have the correct GM part numbers for the LH and RH T-top weatherstrips on a 1970-71 Corvette Coupe? According to the old GM part manuals that I have, they say that a 1970-74 should use #3966572 RH and #3966571 LH (group 12.810). Next I see that a 1975-early 77 should use #362953 LH and #362954 RH. What is the difference between weatherstrips for the different years? Are they interchangeable? I want to search for the NCRS correct NOS weatherstrips with the correct GM part numbers for an early 1971 coupe and I am not sure what GM part numbers to use. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Tom

[Patrick H.]

Re: What is the correct GM part numbers for t-top weatherstrips on a 1971 Corvette Co

Two thoughts -

First, did you check the 1971 AIM? It will have the part number originally used.

Second, any part you find will be 50 year old rubber. I would not suspect it will be as pliable as you might hope.

[Tom S.]

Re: What is the correct GM part numbers for t-top weatherstrips on a 1971 Corvette Co

Thanks Patrick, I did check the AIM and it shows the numbers 3966571,2 for the weatherstrips. the same as the 1973 GM Parts book that I have. I do understand that the rubber is going to old but I was hoping to get lucky and find a set that was stored properly and in good condition. Probably a long shot, but still hopeful. So I guess my question really is what is the difference between the weatherstrips from the original number shown for the 1970-74 and the later shorter number shown for the 1975-early 77? Are they the same weatherstrip just with a different part number? The later number weatherstrips seem to be readily available, but not so much for the earlier number weatherstrip. The reproductions just are not the same and I would like to stay with original GM parts.

[Joe L.]

Re: What is the correct GM part numbers for t-top weatherstrips on a 1971 Corvette Co

Thanks Patrick, I did check the AIM and it shows the numbers 3966571,2 for the weatherstrips. the same as the 1973 GM Parts book that I have. I do understand that the rubber is going to old but I was hoping to get lucky and find a set that was stored properly and in good condition. Probably a long shot, but still hopeful. So I guess my question really is what is the difference between the weatherstrips from the original number shown for the 1970-74 and the later shorter number shown for the 1975-early 77? Are they the same weatherstrip just with a different part number? The later number weatherstrips seem to be readily available, but not so much for the earlier number weatherstrip. The reproductions just are not the same and I would like to stay with original GM parts.

Tom------

As you have found, the 3966571 and 3966572 were the original t-top weatherstrips for 1970-74. The 3966571 was discontinued from SERVICE in March, 1982 and replaced by GM #362953. The 3966572 was discontinued from SERVICE in March, 1981 and replaced by the GM #362954. The 362953 and 3362954 were used in PRODUCTION for 1975 through early 1977. I do not know what the difference was between the 3966571/3966572 and the 362953/362954 but, apparently, GM considers that the latter will SERVICE applications originally using the former.

Finding NOS examples of the original weatherstrips will be quite difficult and, likely, expensive if you do as they have not been available in 40 years. I think even finding the 1975-E77 will be tough as they were discontinued quite some time ago.