I was going to wait a little longer to share the news but the NATO guys have posted something about this, so now I will too.
Currently I am in discussions with Steele Rubber Products (http://www.steelerubber.com) about producing specific weatherstripping for the Fox Thunderbird/Cougar (1983-88). They want to cover as much of the car as possible. In theory this shouldn't be too much of a stretch, as similar w/s was used on the Fox Mustangs; they just weren't long enough for our cars. Now we would have specific-length rubber pieces, eliminating trial-and-error guesswork.
Some of the parts that we have may be unique. I am not sure if they're going to reproduce the window runs; those varied depending upon the model year. There were two styles for 1983-86 (with vent windows, without vent windows) and one for 1987-88 (flush glass). The earlier cars would probably equate to the Mark VII window runs which would make reproduction more cost-effective. Also, inside the door in the A-pillar area, there is a clip-in welt that is probably also unique to our cars (and the Mark VII). These parts are unknowns at this time, as far as being candidates for reproduction. Virtually every other weatherstripping piece on the car (trunk, hood, door jamb, etc.) should be easily reproducable.
In all fairness...anyone with a tape measure and some common sense can easily order most of the weatherstripping for these cars from JC Whitney right this very minute. It's not rocket science. However, I feel very optimistic that we would get quality reproduction-grade pieces from Steele Rubber and that, over time, they would hold up as well as OEM parts. I also like the fact that they came to us and are pouring over the details of the old OEM parts (via microfiche!) to get accurate representations. They plan on selling individual pieces as well as restoration kits. Essentially it will be one-stop shopping for weatherstripping, a huge boon for us.
There is no set timeframe for launch of the products; the company is simply in the hunting-and-gathering phase right now. I will provide as much as I can in the way of info and even real samples. There may be instances where I'll need help from you, in which case I hope for seamless cooperation.
Anyway, I just wanted to be the first to let you know. I'm going to help with the Cougar parts, and hopefully the NATO guys can step up for the more specific T-Bird/TC parts. I'll post any news in this thread when I get it.
(P.S. The company hinted that they may be looking into MN12 weatherstripping as well).
Good job man! , Thanks for always looking out for us :)
Sweet! Thanks Eric!
I know that I could use just about every piece due to sun damage, wear & tear and general shrinkage over time.
Please let me know if I can help in some way!
Oh WOW! Steele, that's great. EVERYone in the antique car hobby knows what you mean when you say "steele rubber" they're great ya can't beat em for anything rubber for old cars. Cool!
awesome :D
I see that they actually have some of the parts already listed on their site:
http://166.82.96.3/content.php?section=52
Some of the model year info may be incorrect so if you're not sure, let me know and I'll verify the info. The company is having a little trouble separating the body styles and model years right now. I still have to school 'em. ;)
Great news and I hope they go thru with it.although mine are in fairly good shape,the color is faded away...........brownish like.
Well, the best way to clean and protect rubber weatherstripping that I've ever found is to use a pure silicone spray. It keeps the rubber supple and flexible and inhibits cracking. A side benefit is that it deep cleans and also gives a nice, flat finish for a true OEM appearance. I cleaned up all the w/s in the '84 last spring with silicone spray and it looks like I unpackaged my NOS w/s and installed it. GM, Ford and most other automakers recommend silicone for their OEM rubber so you know it has to work.
Huh...imagine that...Mike not liking something...
Thanks Eric for pursuing new sources of aftermarket parts for our aging cars!
Well you know, Mike, normally I would ask for opinions about a product so that we, as a community, can make a fair assessment about it.
But since you are, well, your typical self and blurted things out before anyone else here actually used their products (or even asked for an opinion at all), I guess we can see how "unbiased" your opinions really are. I personally have never really had any type of attitude with you and chose not to for several reasons. Unfortunately I remained neutral with you and your attitude for far too long, and it seems to have put a rift in our community here. Well, so much for that.
Actually, it is not "my time". They came to US, buddy. They are asking to become part of our community. There's no gun to anyone's head here. I'm willing to help provide information and samples, simple as that. What exactly do you have against that? Do you mean to say that, if you still had aBM running, that you could do better? Seems to me that, had you wanted to, you could have done weatherstripping for us awhile ago. And yet you chose not to. Why is that, I wonder? Perhaps you were far too busy whoring out parts for our cars, I'm thinking.
Do yourself a huge favor. I'm going to say this one time, and one time only.
Take your opinions and STFU.
mmmm let's see... Eric.... steele... and rubber all in the same thread??
nahhh... I better not say it. :D :rollin:
You're exactly right. :D
Define 'you'. I've never said anything against your business. Only thing I ever bought from you was a decal for my center console..which was not correct and peeled off within months. Did I ever knock you for it? Hey, if all those people gave you the perception of being satisfied, more power to you. Keep on patting yourself on the back for all the "good work" you did for our community, Mike.
Back on subject...thanks for the support, everyone else.
I must be lucky, living in the land of scarce sunshine, but all my weather stripping and even my dew wipes are all mint :hick: I suppose we need something to make up for the rust problems...
The only weather/rubber issues my car has are the quarter windows have degraded. Unfortunately the whole frickin' window has to be replaced to fix it...
If needed, I might be able to lend a NOS "Front door Weatherstrip, Opening" (E8SZ-6320708-A) if I can locate it and if it stays in it's NOS condition. I might have a trunk one, too, but I'm not sure on that one.
Aint that the truth. We get to have good weatherstripping and non-cracked dashes and leather lol. :hick: And possibly non baked-off paint!
FWIW, (and I know he mentioned the '59 Buick which kind of puts an axe through my argument) but being that I'm in the antique car crowd and talk with people from that very frequently (forums.aaca.org antique automobile club of america forums) I hear nothing but good about Steele. From there and at local shows and cruises that's what everyone says. What's on the doors of my '38 Buick I'm not sure you could CALL weatherstripping anymore :hick: so everyone always says "oh yeah go to steele and get some replacements for that". I dunno. Just going by word of mouth and the fact that they're still in business and supply rubber for antique cars, and usually....when people resotre 'em they want it to be RIGHT.
Looks like I'll be ding even more stuff. My wife thanks you:hick:
Seriously, great news!!!:burnout:
So when is someone going to step up and make quality replacement body panels and trim? :hick:
I think its great we are getting some parts availability for our cars, and some recognition from the after market that there are people out there interested in parts for our cars. I say thanks Steele and Eric. IMHO if something is not perfect it is still better than the choices we had before. CHE took a leap and made stuff for us and I bought it and I am very satisfied. I may see what Steele comes up with and make a small purchase just to show them there is a market for these birds and show them they made a good decision making products for us. Maybe this will even start a small trend and we will see a few other things pop up. Mechanical parts are no biggie, but lets face it eventually we will all need soft trim. Mine is near perfect now but its also 20 years old............will it last 25......30....I dunno
It'll probably happen the day after I finish making all the panels for my car. LOL
Well hurry up so we can all get those body panels and trim parts :hick:
That’s great news we have to show these company’s that us guys do exist out here. Expose our numbers of members and non-members and other simpler car forums out there showing them there are many interested in these cars, then make it know that its easy access to these company’s like a just save the link I’m assuming Eric will put it on his site.
Good Job
Like mjbtbrd said, maybe they ain't perfect, but, it's a source. Finding parts for these old ducks is like finding hen's teeth. Gonna be a junker, or if you're really lucky, something that got hidden on shelf in a small town dealership for the past 20 years.
Maybe just in time for me too. I'm going to start the process of resurrecting my '86. Got enough vehicles now I can put the Thunderbucket inside and get started on her, and won't have to run along side it to work on it.
The higher the demand, the better the price guys. "If you build it, they will come."
At this point,with people crushing older cars in record numbers,even salvage yards are crushing faster and faster,any source for parts is a great start.We have to begin somewhere.I am seriously going to start grabbing anything that I can that is in nice,serviceable,or restoreable condition.It'll take a while,but I feel pretty confident I can get a nice garage full of parts.Not just for my car,but Cats and 4 eyed cars as well.I'll start gathering parts and for the first time,making an inventory of what I have.I don't have,nor do I want to have a business.I just really love my Sport,and I know a lot of the other members feel the same way.We all know how easy it would be to build a Fox Stang.Reproduction catalogs for them are already out there.As time goes by,and I get everything organized (be patient,time is a rare thing around here),I'll let everyone know how the parts collecting is going.I think we all need to support any company who is willing to help us.I may be exaggerating,but I personally think in another year from now,we're going to be in a truly desperate situation as far as parts for our cars go.Anytime a member goes to the yard,ask around and see what everyone needs,and make sure that they'll pay when you get the parts for them.Oh well,enough from me on this.I'm starting to ramble.
Does anybody know if they sell the piece that goes on the top front of the door. The piece is relatively flat and only about 1.5 to 2 feet long. It looks sort of like: (looking from the end)
|____|
(Hope that makes some sense)
This is good news as i should be starting to get the 87 back in running condition by around the time i get my economic stimulus check. I do need the door weather stripping for her, (have my mounts thanks to chuck) and then the timing and she will be back in running order.
I think those are held on with rivets.I'll look for a decent set at the boneyard Wednesday.....weather permiting.
Another source... me likes. I hope Steele & Eric can get something goin'
:)