54's with rust

[dusty]

hi Kaiserkid, I had a 54 manhattan(purchased from Andy Schroyer in the 70's) it had had a canvas top originally and continental kit. when we took out the windshield to replace the rubber we found the same thing also the rear window was rotten. we had to bend a 18ga. sheet( formed like angle iron) slot one edge and weld it in in place of the rotted out window channel, a section at a time. also on 54 Manhattans around the bottom edge of the rREAR windows are prone to rust and must be attacked in the same manner, as the drip molding guides the rain and dirt behind the stainless panel and down to the lower window trim then stays there with the dirt.  Welcome rust!!

[kaiserkid]

Now since I have the rust fixed does anyone have a rear window gasket that I can get? Mine was baked and very brittle from being a southern car. As I was removing the rear window the gasket would shatter, yes like hard plastic! It will be another year before I can get this car back on the road as I will be repainting the whole car. This is a father son project but heavy on the father to get the project done. 

[mbflemingkf]

kaiser kid, I don't know of a source or anyone who has the 54 rear window gasket.  The 2 worst actions in life are to remove the 54 K rear window gasket or to drop and break a 54 right lower tail light lens.  Unfortunately, the manufacturing fund within the club has been no help with either item.  I just don't think there is enough demand or interest in the 54 K (LOL).  

[kaiserkid]

It wouldn't look pretty but the glass could be sealed into place with sealant. I don't know how to put the chrome over that! I would need a few more beers to think.

[mbflemingkf]

Your profile says you're 16!   

[kaiserkid]

I was years ago but the profile is for my son. He's the one that got me into this mess, but it is a fun mess. I have already met many KF members and this is one of the best clubs I have ever been in. I finally have the roof ready for primer and wet sanding. It's a learning curve for me as well as for my son.

[mbflemingkf]

OK, in that case...back to the beer!!!

[joefrazer]

The rear window gasket on a 54 is a 4 piece unit with at least 2 compound curves. The company that makes most of our gaskets can do the work but it won't come cheap....mold cost estimates near 5 digits. Amortized over the number of gaskets you could realistically sell up front, it makes them very expensive.

[kaiserkid]

Between expensive and nonexistent what choice do we have? A project can't be done with parts that aren't available. I have contacted 4 other 54 owners and their project has come to a stop because of the rear gasket. How many other 54's are out there that need a gasket to become a project car? If there are no more gaskets then the 54's that are completed are the only ones left. The club won't grow in that area. Can we start a list of how many people need this unobtainable gasket? I would be willing to pay up to $500 to get this gasket as a new reproduction. Anyone else out there?

[mbflemingkf]

I don't need one but if they were available, I would buy one to have one in the future and to support their availability.  I'm game in the $200-250 range.

[mbflemingkf]

...hope you guys don't think I'm being cheap, but mines in good shape, supple, not leaking, etc.  If my back glass were out or my project were stopped, darn tootin I'd be willing to pony up more of the green ones. 

In my humble opinion, however, it would be nice to get the project done for $200-$250 in a "not-for-profit" environment that the Manufacturing Fund employs.

[kfnut]

I would get one for future use if the manufacturing fund had them made . Maybe two if the cost was low enough .

[kaiserkid]

Yes the cost will be high. Do we need to put a questionair into the newsletter asking what parts need to be reproduced or has this already been done? I'm sure there are other parts that I don't need that should be repoped.