What's the general consensus on what the factory orig. was for the seal that goes between the 1/4 panel and the extension piece on Supremes/converts? The original ones on my 72 Supreme were very thin, shiny black plastic. The repro's are thicker, sponge'y foam rubberish (see pic). I reused my originals but was interested in what people have found on their cars over the years and if these current repro's are actually correct or way off...

 

Originals are the thin plastic as you stated....so the foam rubber repros aren't technically "correct" if that matters. I guess any slight gaps(ie -wider than the original plastic sheet) might be more "sealed off" using the repro foam ones since that material will compress or expand some depending on gaps, etc.

 

Thanks Patton for the reply. I would think the thick foam rubber would cause a panel gap as there's no way it could compress enough to equal the razor thin plastic originals. And that the black foam might be visible from the sides. Either way I'm happy with reusing my originals. I suppose they go missing over the years of accident repairs and repaints..Also, I assume their original purpose was simply for anti-rub/squeek/rattle?

 

Most likely anti-rub. If the repros are a soft foam then I think they could be compressed down to the .034" or so thickness of the original plastic versions.