Challenger S/E vinyl top molding clips OEM vs Repro ??

[autoxcuda]

I have a wide S/E vinyl top set with 9 original clips.

I see the repro clips don't look at all like the original ones I have. Repro are the S-type spring clip.

Do the repro clips work fine?

Repro





Original (was there more than one type of clip used originally?)

Second pic shows difference in width of the S/E molding. Also the molding sits in a different location/path of the regular molding do to the S/E window plug.

[fc7cuda]

I used some clips similar to those repos since all my originals were not reusable.  They worked fine as long as they oriented correctly. 

Tom

[anlauto]

I agree, the above clips should work fine. Nice picture of the difference in the trim, most people are unfamiliar with the difference.

[autoxcuda]

Ok thanks.

I also notice the reproduction don't have a dense foam seal at the base of the threads and sealant (dum dum) at in the nuts. All original vinyls top hardware on Mopars I've seen have this to keep water out of the trunk.

You can buy speed nuts from Auveco that have sealant on them. And I don't think it would be too hard to make little squares of dense foam for the thread base area. Just the little details missed on reproduction parts that keep them from functioning as well and make them less reliable than original.

On my 68 Barracuda with vinyl top ive seen moisture from inside the trunk from a couple of old leaking vinyl top screws after I washed the car or rain.

[anlauto]

I always put dum-dum around each stud before I put them through the hole

[autoxcuda]

I always put dum-dum around each stud before I put them through the hole

Nice attention to details and especially FUNCTIONAL DETAILS.

[RUNCHARGER]

I used the repros and they worked fine but yes they need some extra care if you want to keep water out of the trunk.

Sheldon

[Cuda Cody]

Nice Challenger @RUNCHARGER  is it a real Tri-Color car?  The white, green and black look nice together. 

I used the repros and they worked fine but yes they need some extra care if you want to keep water out of the trunk.

Sheldon

[anlauto]

Nice Challenger @RUNCHARGER  is it a real Tri-Color car?  The white, green and black look nice together. 

I used the repros and they worked fine but yes they need some extra care if you want to keep water out of the trunk.

Sheldon

No for some crazy reason the owner, the guy @RUNCHARGER built it for wanted a black top
Here's what Sheldon started with: http://www.alangallantautomotiverestoration.com/DM-RT-SE-FOR-SALE.html

[RUNCHARGER]

The guy is going to fluff up the stripes too. They should be black in another week or so, taking it away from original and not as unique IMO. I did screw it up with the Hemi and the shaker was on it when I bought it though I suppose. Looking back at it, I should have done a 440 and found an R/T hood for it and kept the car (after cutting out the frame connectors). The tag was a repro though so the only thing for certain was the matching #'s 4 speed.

Sheldon

[Cuda Cody]

Looks like a super clean car.  FJ5 looks work good with black or white stripes.   Breaks up the color well.