1954/55 Kaiser Manhattan Rear Window Weather Seal

[jsgmpeek]

Over the years, I've heard at various times, someone was going to contact a rubber weather-seal manufacturer and reproduce the weather-seal for the three part rear window, has anything come of this?

[joefrazer]

Yes, several folks have done some investigating but because of the complexity, getting the gaskets (plural, it's actually a 3 piece affair) reproduced is an expensive undertaking. Hopefully as the 54 gains popularity, the drive to have the gaskets repopped will gain some traction.

[mbflemingkf]

Jim, do you know what the latest projects are being worked on by the Manufacturing Fund?  Can you let us know please?  Thanks, Mike

[mbflemingkf]

Unfortunately, I was unable to get to the national and did not hear Adam Harder's report. 

It sure would be nice to be able to go somewhere on our club web site to read the reports that were presented at the convention general meeting.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

I agree that it would be nice if information was provided in a timely fashion (2 years later in a QUARTERLY is not timely).  Also, there is NO REASON why an agenda with items to be brought up at the Business Meeting cannot be released for publication in the issue of the Monthly Bulletin for the month of the meet or before it, depending on event timing.

But, since the great majority of members don't care about what goes on in the organization, how the money is spent, etc, why should anyone else care???

[joefrazer]

I will ask the manufacturing fund manager to update everyone via the bulletin...this way everyone gets the same news at the same time!

[mbflemingkf]

Jim, that will be wonderful.  Thank you.  I just hope Barbara has enough space and doesn't have to go to extra pages!

[HJ-ETEX]

Say Jack - Isn't that part of our function...to make the members care, to get them enthused? If they don't care, then they don't pay dues and then there is no Club. So if you want something in the Quarterly, demand it from the Quarterly Editor.

[ben-tex]

That might apply to the "constant updates" promised for this website on the opening page as well 

[jsgmpeek]

I would support an effort to get the manufacturing fund to look into the cost and provide the weather-seal for my car.  Thanks for the post but I think we got off topic.  John

[joefrazer]

About the rear window seal, back in the 70's, John Parker (a former parts vendor) checked into having them made and the mold cost at that time was ~$5000. It's probably at least that today, even with advances in technology. Amortizing that cost over a relatively small number of cars that need one would make them rather expensive. That's not to say they won't be done...just not now.

Also, from the manufacturing fund folks:

"We are having 47-50 Kaiser / 51 Frazer floor mats, 51-55 Kaiser floor mats, and 51-54 Henry J floor mats redone." There was no mention of anything else for 2010.

[Orphanauto]

I would love to get the new mats for my 53 Manhattan. The idea about people not caring about how the manufactering fund is spent, well... I think people here do care, just don't know how to voice their concerns on what is being produced, so, I decided to start a new topic, and ask people to list the 1 or 2 items they would like to see made, perhaps this will help the KFOIC to get an idea of what is really needed the most. Well, it's a thought.

[GA Kaiser]

ben-tex has a point.  The Dixie Region Fall meet for October 1, 2 and 3 is not on the web page and we have been putting a notice in the Bulletin for months now. 

I would love to see photos of member's vehicles in the web section with the years and models of the cars.

[ben-tex]

When I invented the club's original web site back in the dark ages the emphasis was on the cars and members were asked to contribute pics etc for posting.

[GA Kaiser]

Perhaps there can be a drive to get members to submit photos and descriptions of their cars for the website.  Then, even casual visitors to the site could see the various models and colors.  Even interior shots of the various upholstery would be a great addition to the site.