53-55 side curtains

[Dan D.]

Re: 53-55 side curtains

FYI, the original side curtains for my 54 #1725 have fabric. Date code on the plexiglass is Feb and March 54.

-Dan-

[Jim L.]

Re: 53-55 side curtains

My #3300 '54 has side curtains with tattered remnants of fabric on the rubber. As I recall, the side curtains are dated 5-54.

Jim

[Troy P.]

Re: 53-55 side curtains

You are correct, I should not have made such a blanket statement. Still I belive the bowdrill was added in 53 as a running change.

What date codes on the sidecurtains that you've restored?

Since we know a very early 54 super low mileage unrestored car has bowdrill if you have restored 54 side curtains without the bowdrill then the conslusion would have to be that they put it on randomly, which seems illogical. Still anything is possible. But why?

I have thought about the NOS parts I bought across the counter and have to figure they were made in mid 54. As you know they thought they would sell many more cars in 54 than they did and ended up with parts left over. So some would logically have ended up as service parts. Others were used on the 700 1955 cars.

I will check in with Steve and see what he knows.

[Brett H.]

Re: 53-55 side curtains

Steve would be a great source for input. I've restored many. 6-53 12-53 and other 54's off the top of my head. Can't remember the 54 dates. Some of these 54 sets were used for 53's. While removing the bottom bow seals, I just don't ever recall seeing any cloth. From what I had experienced, I was of the thinking that the cloth must have been used on the later cars. That is probably wrong. I used to keep the old glass but stopped at some point because I knew that I'd never use it.

Please update with Steve's input when you get it.

Thanks

[Chris S.]

Re: 53-55 side curtains

my original to the car set - dated 4-54 and 5-54 - had it - late car 3803.......
just FYI

[Mike M.]

Re: 53-55 side curtains

both pairs of my 54 dated side curtains have/had the cloth covering on their weatherstrips.mike

[Troy P.]

Re: 53-55 side curtains

My investigation looking at super low mileage 54-55 unrestored cars and querying Steve Newsom and many owners indicates that it would be rare to highly unlikely that they did not come with bowdrill. I do not have personal knowledge of 53's. I would hold out the possibility that early 53 may not have had it and it was added as a running change to solve an in use problem like friction between the chrome window frame supports and the rubber.

Research continues...as always, I'm never done until the last piece of evidence is uncovered.