X1/9 Window, Door and Top Rubbers (A Work in Progress 4.2)

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The new seal being fitted as a continuous length.

Work has continued tidying up my "new" Series 1, with one of the easier and more satisfying tasks being the replacement of the cracked and crumbly rubbers that once upon a time sealed the side windows, doors and and top.  They've certainly improved the look, the doors don't bang shut like they did and the car's a bit less breezy, too!  

Having searched the 'net for some suitable seals, I chose Midwest-Bayless' three piece set that were on special for a fairly reasonable U$69 (AU$100 +/-).  Well, they were reasonably priced until U$92 (AU$134!) was added for freight!!

A pleasing finish.

Members of the Australian X1/9s Facebook site soon had me sorted, putting me onto Aussie company Clark Rubber, a crowd that I ignorantly associated with pool noodles, lilo patches and not much else.  Silly me!  

 Not only did my local Clark Rubber store stock way more that swimming pool accessories, its manager, Eddie, was a bit of an Italian car tragic, having owned a number of Lancias.  He soon short-listed some seals he thought might do the job, cut a couple of test lengths and helped me to assess their fit.    

The two options.

Two profiles showed promise: the No. 44 Pinchweld on the left of the above image and the smaller one to its right.  Either would have done but the former provided a firmer seal, fitted the seam to which it attached better and had a nicer looking finish. 

It was a comparative bargain at approximately AU$125 and a helluva a lot cheaper than Midwest-Bayless' offering, not that I blame them for the US Postal Service's exorbitant rates.  I'm also quite convinced that, quality-wise, it was well worth the money.

The Clark Rubber product description.

As an aside, the Midwest-Bayless set came as three discrete lengths and required additional joiners / corner pieces, which I believe were an added cost.  I bought, and fitted, the Clark Rubber No. 44 Pinchweld as a continuous length, and had no difficulty making it conform to the various angles at the bottoms of the doors and where they go over the sail.

So, thanks to the Australian X1/9s Facebookers for pointing me in the right direction!  It just shows that a bit of local knowledge is a very, very handy thing!





U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

All iPhone images. 

Comments

  1. sobia8 May 2020 at 02:03

    These websites are really needed, you can learn a lot. Rundpool

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15 May 2024 at 20:24

      Thanks. I’m pleased you found it useful.

      Delete

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