Hi everyone,
Had my 73.5 Targa stripped to bare metal and repainted a few months ago. Paint looks spectacular. That's the good. Here's the bad part.
I of course wanted to go with all new seals. The first shop I worked with (who ultimately passed on the project -- too busy) recommended I go with Sierra Madre seals and rubber, which I did (https://sierramadrecollection.com/Se...73-p31661.html).
The shop that did the disassembly, metal work, paint, and reassembly had terrible problems with the Sierra Madre seals, particularly the windshield and rear window seals, which he complained were way too hard, thick, and impliable. He could not get them to go onto the glass and had to go with a different set. He told me the last car he did (a 71 coupe, I believe) had the same problem. The owner of that car purchased Sierra Madre seals for him to install, and they were impossible to get on. They wound up going with Stoddard seals instead.
Apart from the window seals, he used all the Sierra Madre parts I provided. The car looks beautiful, drives wonderfully, but frankly it's hard to enjoy. The area between the vent window and seals have little gaps. The targa top only goes on with extreme effort and targa front seal always wants to come unglued on the edges, so getting everything seated takes some doing.
And the noise...Holy crud. I've owned this car for 6 years. I know what normal Targa wind noise sounds like. This is a different ballpark. We're talking so much wind noise that it's difficult to hear the engine! It's almost quieter with the top off.
I've spoken with the shop about it and they want to make it right, but insist that we're going to need to go with different seals -- vent windows, targa front / rear bar, perhaps different targa top side seals. They suggest Stoddard.
What do you think? Can any of you share similar anecdotes? Are these known issues with Sierra Madre seals? Is my installer off his rocker? I'm looking for some collective group wisdom here. If you'd rather not share publicly, PM is fine and helpful. Sierra Madre were very nice to work with. Great customer service, etc. I just need to know if it's the product or installer that's to blame.
Thanks as always.