68 Top Surround Reinforcement Strip

[Michael M.]

The Sermersheim catalog lists 4 reinforcement strips that bond under the top surround on either side of the headlight openings. They are listed as GM part numbers 3941911, 3941912, 3941913, & 3941914 for 68-72 Corvettes.

I am changing the original top surround on my '68 but I do not see these bonding strips. They are shaped like and "L" and are about 9" long. Were/Are these actually used underneath original top surrounds? What was their purpose? Were these service parts used to reinforce the top surround but not used in production. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 68 Top Surround Reinforcement Strip

I have seen early 68s without them, but they are beneficial to strengthen and hold the correct curvature of the headlight openings.

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 Top Surround Reinforcement Strip

Seen cars late in production without the reinforcements, as Wayne stated, if you are not going to have the car judged, by all means install them

[Michael M.]

Re: 68 Top Surround Reinforcement Strip

Thanks for the replies. So do they bond directly against the headlight openings? A few inches away? I can't find them depicted in my AIM.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Top Surround Reinforcement Strip

Seen cars late in production without the reinforcements, as Wayne stated, if you are not going to have the car judged, by all means install them

Dick------

I think I'd add them even if I was going to have the car judged and just suffer the minor deduction if it were even to be assessed. GM didn't add these because things worked just as well without them. Distortion of the surround panel which might occur without these pieces would be far more of a problem than their basically unseen presence.

[Michael M.]

Re: 68 Top Surround Reinforcement Strip

So can anyone assist on where to mount these strips? I know they go to the left and right of the headlight openings but since they're not depicted in the AIM, I don't know how close or far to the headlight openings they get bonded. Thanks for any replies.

[Alan S.]

Re: 68 Top Surround Reinforcement Strip

Hi Michael,
On my 71 the strips are about 1/4"-3/8" away from the edge of the surround opening.
Hope these help. Right-side door first, then left-side.
Regards,
Alan

[Michael M.]

Re: 68 Top Surround Reinforcement Strip

Alan, that's perfect. Thanks so much. As long as this board has been going and as deep as the archives are, I couldn't find any discussion of these bonding strips in the archives. I hope this will help others in the future. Thanks to all for your replies.