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sinbadM
Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2021
Posts: 2
Location: Tampa, FL
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 Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:58 pm Post subject: New Ghia Owner - 71 Convertible |
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Hi, I have recently purchased a 71 Ghia Conv. The car is in pretty good shape, however the convertible top needs to be replaced, as I live in FL and it tends to rain every 20mins, and the current top leaks at all the window seals and back glass. Can just the rubber seals on the existing top be replaced or is it better to just start over with a new top, padding and liner?
Any recommendation on where to get a replacement top, there seems to be lots of options out there.
Thank you |
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obus 
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11069
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2506
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:42 pm Post subject: Re: New Ghia Owner |
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| sinbadM wrote: |
| Can just the rubber seals on the existing top be replaced or is it better to just start over with a new top, padding and liner. |
Welcome aboard!
If the top material itself is still in good shape, then keep it. All the weatherstripping around the glass can be replaced without removing the top.
Here's a link to Chuck's → https://chucksconvertibleparts.com/
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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22manybugs
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2006
Posts: 373
Location: Yorba Linda, Calif
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| Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:37 am Post subject: Re: New Ghia Owner - 71 Convertible |
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Your 71 has the glass rear window, right?
In that case, the rubber seal around the rear window comes with the top, I think it’s bonded to the top and I’m not aware you can replace just the rubber. You can ask Chuck’s about that.
The rubber around the rear glass takes a lot of fussing to get any reasonable seal against the glass, especially in the bottom corners, , be ready to spend some time playing with it. Even so, the rubber seal does not seal perfectly, it can catch most water but some water will get past it. There should be a metal channel along the bottom of the rear window frame that catches water running down the glass, then there should be two rubber tubes connected to the channel and those tubes run out to the bottom of the car behind the rear tires. That directs water out the back of the car.
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Lon
1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper |
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2506
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: New Ghia Owner - 71 Convertible |
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| 22manybugs wrote: |
| There should be a metal channel along the bottom of the rear window frame that catches water running down the glass, then there should be two rubber tubes connected to the channel and those tubes run out to the bottom of the car behind the rear tires. |
Good for bringing this up. Those drain tubes can leak, or be missing all together, which then allows water into the car.
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11004
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| Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: New Ghia Owner - 71 Convertible |
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| rcooled wrote: |
| 22manybugs wrote: |
| There should be a metal channel along the bottom of the rear window frame that catches water running down the glass, then there should be two rubber tubes connected to the channel and those tubes run out to the bottom of the car behind the rear tires. |
Good for bringing this up. Those drain tubes can leak, or be missing all together, which then allows water into the car. |
Which is why it seems a lot of glass window verts have roached luggage trays.
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Go Reds! Smash state!
Retirement is here!
1956 Ghia
1959 SO-23 Westfalia
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now |
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