1967 Barracuda Windshield Trim

[Plum Crazy 67]

I purchased my 1967 Barracuda fastback this summer knowing that it needed some final touches to the trim finish off the Plum Crazy paint job. The windshield is installed using a rubber molding but lacking the chrome trip to match the back window. I have been working with Dave Layson at Layson's Restorations in Washington for this and some other parts that I need as well. He sent me the chrome trim and explained that the trim sits in the groove of the rubber seal. He told me that the 67 differs in installation from the 68 and 69 which went to a clip style installation.
I have been to several glass shops up here in the Edmonton, Alberta area but none so far are familiar with this type of "old school" installation. Dave has been very supportive by offering advice. I have found a shop in town that was recommended for their experience with older vehicles and met with the manager the other day. He is looking into the issue for me. He suggested that I consider a flush mount which is the "newer" way to install windshields with no trim but I told him that I want the front glass and trim to match the back window.
I have attached a few pictures for reference. One shows the slit in the rubber molding. The other two show the plastic moldings from both sides and an end view to show the cross section.
Any comments and/or advice is much appreciated.

 

[mvh]

The first question is, is the back window using the factory trim? The factory trim consisted of several strips of plastic with a shiny mylar finish that snapped into grooves in the window seal rubber. At the top cores and the center of the bottom, where the strips met, there was a short stainless steel corner piece. The upper corners were right angles, and the center bottom was a shallow angle. Does your trim match this description?

Assuming it does, then the windshield set-up is similar. There would be 4 pieces of the plastic trim (usually referred to as "lockstrip" although it really doesn't lock anything), and 4 center pieces. The corner pieces are often missing, but you can buy at least the right-angle ones on eBay.

OK, I looked at your PDFs, and yes, that is the factory lockstrip. The problem is that it gets brittle and yellowed, the mylar peels off, and it shrinks so that it sits short of the corners, enabling the corners to fall off. You used to be able to buy these strips from Layson's. If he no longer carries it, then you have to finds a substitute. People sell rolls of similar plastic on eBay — be aware that it may not fit as well. But if you have the new plastic strip from Layson's, there is no reason you can't just pop it in yourself — it doesn't require any expertise. It is totally a DIY job.

Basically, this stuff is a PITA — that the bottom line. Many people give up and do what Mopar did for the 1968 models — install the 1968-69 seals along with the clips and stainless steel window trim pieces. This looks much better and is permanent. The problem is finding a set of the trim (only available used), and the fact that you have to pull the glass, drill the frames to install the clips, and replace the seals. But it's worth doing if you have to replace the glass. I did.

The suggestion from the glass shop to do "flush mount" is impossible. It was a stupid suggestion. It can't be done with the factory glass without massively modifying the frame areas. Many glass shops will be familiar with the older rubber seal technology — you just have to find one that has been in business for a while.

 

[HemiSSDart]

The factory lock strip is now reproduced, check out Detroit Muscle Technologies. You must have the correct 67 only front and rear windshield rubber gaskets to make it work. Be aware that the front windshield also has stainless corners that snap into the lock strip also. Here is a link on eBay to the lock strip and corners... NEW Mopar 1967 Dart Barracuda Windshield Lock Strip | eBay

 

[Plum Crazy 67]

The first question is, is the back window using the factory trim? The factory trim consisted of several strips of plastic with a shiny mylar finish that snapped into grooves in the window seal rubber. At the top cores and the center of the bottom, where the strips met, there was a short stainless steel corner piece. The upper corners were right angles, and the center bottom was a shallow angle. Does your trim match this description?

Assuming it does, then the windshield set-up is similar. There would be 4 pieces of the plastic trim (usually referred to as "lockstrip" although it really doesn't lock anything), and 4 center pieces. The corner pieces are often missing, but you can buy at least the right-angle ones on eBay.

OK, I looked at your PDFs, and yes, that is the factory lockstrip. The problem is that it gets brittle and yellowed, the mylar peels off, and it shrinks so that it sits short of the corners, enabling the corners to fall off. You used to be able to buy these strips from Layson's. If he no longer carries it, then you have to finds a substitute. People sell rolls of similar plastic on eBay — be aware that it may not fit as well. But if you have the new plastic strip from Layson's, there is no reason you can't just pop it in yourself — it doesn't require any expertise. It is totally a DIY job.

Basically, this stuff is a PITA — that the bottom line. Many people give up and do what Mopar did for the 1968 models — install the 1968-69 seals along with the clips and stainless steel window trim pieces. This looks much better and is permanent. The problem is finding a set of the trim (only available used), and the fact that you have to pull the glass, drill the frames to install the clips, and replace the seals. But it's worth doing if you have to replace the glass. I did.

The suggestion from the glass shop to do "flush mount" is impossible. It was a stupid suggestion. It can't be done with the factory glass without massively modifying the frame areas. Many glass shops will be familiar with the older rubber seal technology — you just have to find one that has been in business for a while.

Thanks for your insight. I have the plastic "chrome" trim from Laysons and give it a shot.

 

[toolmanmike]

I purchased my 1967 Barracuda fastback this summer knowing that it needed some final touches to the trim finish off the Plum Crazy paint job. The windshield is installed using a rubber molding but lacking the chrome trip to match the back window. I have been working with Dave Layson at Layson's Restorations in Washington for this and some other parts that I need as well. He sent me the chrome trim and explained that the trim sits in the groove of the rubber seal. He told me that the 67 differs in installation from the 68 and 69 which went to a clip style installation.
I have been to several glass shops up here in the Edmonton, Alberta area but none so far are familiar with this type of "old school" installation. Dave has been very supportive by offering advice. I have found a shop in town that was recommended for their experience with older vehicles and met with the manager the other day. He is looking into the issue for me. He suggested that I consider a flush mount which is the "newer" way to install windshields with no trim but I told him that I want the front glass and trim to match the back window.
I have attached a few pictures for reference. One shows the slit in the rubber molding. The other two show the plastic moldings from both sides and an end view to show the cross section.
Any comments and/or advice is much appreciated.

Post your photos directly to your thread instead of PDF's.

 

[65Val]

You can use the plastic chrome mylar strips from Ch*vy trucks...get it from local body shops...comes off a roll...much cheaper than the repro stuff.

 

[HemiSSDart]

You can use the plastic chrome mylar strips from Ch*vy trucks...get it from local body shops...comes off a roll...much cheaper than the repro stuff.

Ford has a roll of the same stuff that works too but neither is the same width...

 

[4spdragtop]

The only place that mfg the correct "mylar" is this place.
Precision Premium Automotive Glass Parts | Automotive Parts
Lots of retailers sell their stuff. Try Nigel at National Moparts here in Ontario.
I have some leftovers from when I swapped to stainless. The stainless corner pieces just rtv on. They don't snap or clip in. I may have some if need be. Make sure you use 67 style gasket.

 

[dan5354]

I did my rear 67 fastback window with the mylar strip I purchased from Classic Ind.. It fit right and the corner 90* pieces slid over the mylar strip.

 

[dan5354]

Wanted to add that no silicone is needed on the corners, but if the lockstrips shrink enough the corners could possibly fall off.