Does anyone have an up-close pic of where the door windlace meets the rear cover? trying to figure out if the windlace should stop above the panel or continue behind it on a 1970 Cutlass Supreme?

 

not the best pic but correct placement of top of windlace...tucks into a "cut out" spot at the top of the QP jamb....and goes UNDER the rear side panel.

This pic is the Passenger side.

 

this is the area I'm referring to.

 

The original headliner windlace also tucked under the rear side panel...does not end at the top of the panel. I have a loose set from a '70-72 Skylark and it's apparent where the side panel pushed against the face of the windlace...above the end of the windlace by about 1" or so. GM didn't want unsightly gaps and the install would also serve to keep the end of windlace in place.

 

If it matters....that appears to be a thinner aftermarket windlace you show in your two pics.....not the original style which is much wider and also has a distinct bevel/edge running along the length of the windlace. Yours is a simple "tight U" shaped windlace....more like what was used on the convertible top frames along a piece of the inside metal that ran above and parallel to the top of the windhshield. Your style is likely some aftermarket vinyl "generic" windlace that you can buy at local upholstery places.....I buy the same stuff here.

 

Is there anywhere to get the original style?

 

Another guy was asking about this on the site yesterday or so. Various repro vendors seem to offer the windlace BUT you don't want some early-repro-version that doesn't have the internal metal core structure to help keep it from sagging.

The one I linked to on the guy's thread was from The Parts Place and their description said theirs had some steel clips along the length of each piece. The factory stuff has a flexible steel core placed inside of the molded-on vinyl outer part and the factory steel core runs from end-to-end on each piece of windlace. I'm just not sure if anyone repros a set w/the full length steel core like the factory used.

Also be aware....there is likely difference in the shape of side glass windlace pieces - S body vs. Supreme. The factory stuff was made to fit those side glass/headliner profiles specifically. Same for the rear glass. It wasn't like they just bent it to fit....the curvature is molded in. Looks like you'd need Supreme pieces for both sides and the rear glass....the top-of-the-windshield piece, however, is the same for S and Supreme hardtops.

You may be able to find good used pieces but also be aware that some of these used ones exhibit the sticky/gooey stuff just like happens on the '70-2 sport steering wheels. That can be cleaned off w/good solvents but might come back later on....probably depends on the heat, etc the car is sitting in.

I have a couple sets of "S" body windlace here....the side glass pieces just have a gentle curve on them over the quarter glass. The Supreme versions have a much sharper bend and again, the bend is molded into the windlace....not a bend-by-hand deal...that won't work. S and Supreme side and rear glass windlaces are also different lengths.

 

I have nice original windlace for sale, Send me a PM.

 

I don't think the door windlace is repoped for Cutlass. I'm sure it is for Chevelle, but they have a different shape behind the door window so fit will never be very good.
Getting a good original is really the only option if you want something more than just functional.

 

The DOOR OPENING windlace IS the same as a Chevelle.....assuming oddball is talking about the windlace located at the front edge of the rear side panel.

But...the OP is asking about the HEADLINER windlace.

"Door windlace" - the car uses 2 pieces

"Headliner windlace" - the car uses 4 pieces

 

Headliner windlace on the sides is what I'm looking for. The universal across the windshield worked well.

 

I was talking about the _headliner_ windlace that runs across the top of the windows then down the back of the rear window since this conversation was about headliner windlace. Yes, the door opening windlace is the same as chevelle.
Your only option is to post a wanted ad. There are usually a few good sets available, just depends on whether you're willing to paint and how much cleaning/prep you want to do. Nearly all of them have shrunk.