Has anyone here deleted the gutters a long the roof line over the side windows?

 

I doubt it . Why would you do that?

 

I wonder what it would look like. I think it used to be a popular modification on 50-60's customs.

 

I have also wondered what that would look like. I think it would really clean the car up.

 

My rails are trash so instead of trying to replace them I'm thinking I might try to delete, I'm doing a full resto anyway.

 

The outer roof panel is spot welded to the inner roof frame at that gutter line, and body seam sealer is brushed into the gutter to both seal that seam and cover the spot welds. Removing the gutters requires you to fully edge weld and metal finish that seam for both appearances and sealing. Are your metalworking skills up to that?

 

If you grind off too much of the gutter metal you could begin to see the roof levitate?

 

I did this to my car. It's not that daunting of a task but, very tedious. only cut away about 6" of gutter at a time and tack every inch or so to keep the roof panel from lifting then go back and get a tack every 1/2". Take you're time and cool the tacks with compressed air, you do not want to warp the roof panel. Here is a picture of what it looks like, if you want to see more pictures, look here

 

Fantastic write-up. I see Mr. Adams has been playing a significant role. You're an excellent fabricator.

 

As far fab skill I'm learning as I go, I watched some videos that showed to do it every 6 inch or so like stated. I think it looks sweet with the rails deleted. So far it seems an easier task than replacing them.

 

Thanks man, I try to have fun with it....sometimes frustrating though.

 

I guess beauty is subjective. A while back I went to look at a '68 442 that they had done that to, they also removed the windshield/rear glass trim (and all other trim for that matter) and installed plain rubber gaskets. Car looked terrible.

 

Way back when I had a few third-gen Trans Ams. The non T-top cars have smooth pillers and no gutters. After buying my first 71 A body and parking them side by side, the gutters really stood out to me. Deleting the window trim I don't think i could get behind though..

 

Nicely done, that gives the car a more modern look.

 

Kind of like the people who cut the center divider bar out of their split window Corvettes to get the "modern look" of the 1964 cars...

 

Thanks, I really wasn't going for any kind of look with this, my reasoning was the same as the OP of this thread. I will say that I've always thought the gutters were a bit unsightly, however, they would have remained if they weren't rotton.

 

Well, if you do it, remember not to open the car doors when it's raining.

 

Oh my gosh I saw that once and was like what the hell??