C3 Hard Top Trim Question?

[Don L.]

I'm hoping someone can tell me whether or not the hard top window trim was originally caulked as the windshield header trim was (black strip caulk with silver/gray paint over).

Please see attached photo and note how the pointer is indicating where the horizontal trim meets the vertical trim. Is this joint supposed to be caulked?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks.

[Dan D.]

Re: C3 Hard Top Trim Question?

Don,
For what it's worth; I bought my top used but it looked pretty original and I don't see any caulking. You might want to see if you get any other responses. Good luck, Dan

[Don L.]

Re: C3 Hard Top Trim Question?

Thanks Dan. Thanks for your input and thanks for bringing this back to the top.

I've not seen a hard top with the caulk in it (I've seen numerous tops but I've not seen them all) and most tops see far less time in the environment than the car. With this said, it seems to me that if they were originally caulked, there'd be numerous tops that still show the caulk. Furthermore, it seems to me that where the caulk was needed to protect from water entering the birdcage, a leak in the hard top trim would not enter the vehicle.

Anyone else have a thought on this matter???

[Keith K.]

Re: C3 Hard Top Trim Question?

I have a 74 that I have owned for 42 years - there is no sign of caulk on the hard top. It spends most of the time on a rolling rack in the garage with a cover over it.

[Dan D.]

Re: C3 Hard Top Trim Question?

Keith,
I had to chuckle a little when I read your comments. I bought my '72 in 1985...always wanted a hardtop...so in 2003 I rented a truck, drove from Pittsburgh down to Concord, NC and brought back a hardtop. By the time I finished restoring it, I wound up with a little over $3,000 invested which, like yours, "spends most of the time on a rolling rack in the garage with a cover over it." But you know what...I've never been sorry and I'd never sell it. Have a great day, Dan