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Just wondering if this is a common problem area on these cars or something more sinister? Factory seam or not? Thanks for any input. Looking to purchase this car and noticed this crack. Also, the roof is somewhat tweaked and has some minor creases/dents in it but not sure if related. Maybe just buyer's paranoia. Thanks!
Im no expert and especially with post coupes but it seems there may be some previous damage or rust issues? I wouldn't think there would be lead or a factory seem there? but Im not sure? Looks like plastic giving way.
With the roof stuff maybe a tree fell on it at some point and cracked the post?
Either owner isn't telling you something or he doesn't know?
IMO - that is typical factory/original work. There IS lead work done there by the factory. D side on my '70 post car looks similar and the car has never had any panels replaced, etc. P side on mine is much "cleaner" looking. IMO - the factory guy on the P side was a "neatnick" and the guy dealing with the D side could have cared less.
Of course, look for other clues but my bet is it is original.
Roof dents - typical "whiskey dents" - fairly common.....not bad to repair/remove but you'll have to remove the headliner and scrape away the crappy roof insulation to get to the backside.
How do you define "normal" when it comes to these sometimes-crudely-built cars??
Sure, if you are used to staring at "overdone" cars then that may look odd to you. Surely you've seen original lead roof seams at the back/sides of our hardtops....WAVY, WAVY, WAVY.
The list of "don't look normal" stuff on our cars in their original state, when using today's over-restored standards, is a VERY LONG LIST.
Looks great to me...."originality".....soon to become an endangered species.
Last edited by 70Post; February 11th, 2019 at 06:50 PM.
Also - if you study the pic it's obvious why it was done. The window frame/post stuff and the QP are separate pieces. This was GM's attempt to cover up any seams or gaps where those parts all come together. Slick work?? No....but as mentioned, there is plenty of this type work on the rest of these cars.
Thanks for the good words Terry.
Last edited by 70Post; February 11th, 2019 at 07:27 PM.
I can't see a big fat dog jumping onto the hood or roof, then scrambling up the glass onto the roof. A big lean dog like a Great Dane, Doberman, etc, yeah.
Also - if you study the pic it's obvious why it was done. The window frame/post stuff and the QP are separate pieces. This was GM's attempt to cover up any seams or gaps where those parts all come together. Slick work?? No....but as mentioned, there is plenty of this type work on the rest of these cars.
Thanks for the good words Terry.
My car has the same cracks and I found out quickly that it was lead when I tried to weld it (in 1984). Drivers side is definitely worse. What solutions have worked? I am thinking about reinforcing with auto body panel adhesive from the back side.
Oddly enough, I also have a dent in the top.
Last edited by 1of1442; June 4th, 2019 at 12:05 PM.
Solutions?? I don't know exactly since my post car with the cool factory "shoddy" work is still original and will remain that way for a long time most likely. If I ever restore the car I'll likely try to preserve as much of that "look" as possible.
You probably aren't going to be able to get enough of anything behind that area to make a big difference since adhesives rely on contact with SURFACES to stay in place and who knows just how clean the surface is behind those panels. You could try the panel adhesive or some epoxy as an alternative. Removing any lead there and welding it up would be better IMO if you can get the area really clean.
Dents in the top are fairly common - "whiskey" dents and things dropping on the roof at various times.
should be a weld under that lead. lead finish was determined by how clean the area was,and weathers time was taken to properly tin the area. poor tinning leads to edges that do not blend into the parent metal. with the amount of lead work on those cars it was easy to not have a perfect job. every car had lead somewhere,all done in the same solder booth. frt and rear facer,(where the pillars meet the side frames) frt and rear roof seams,any other lead needed to repair, spot weld blow holes grind thrus,sharp dents, was put on in the repair area.
February 11th, 2019, 11:57 AM
