'89 window sweeps

[ken1007]

This is for AOAI member "Michael" re window sweeps as posted Oct 3. After learning far more than I was intereested in knowing about Avanti window sweeps, I finally came up with a pair for my 89 convertible. Let me know if you are still looking. Ken, Deltaville, Va

[WayneC]

This is for AOAI member "Michael" re window sweeps as posted Oct 3. After learning far more than I was intereested in knowing about Avanti window sweeps, I finally came up with a pair for my 89 convertible. Let me know if you are still looking. Ken, Deltaville, Va

Why not post your info so more people than just "Michael" can benefit?

[avantidavid]

Why not post your info so more people than just "Michael" can benefit?

I have a 1988 Avanti Convert and would also like to hear what you found out about the window sweeps

Thanks :-)

[ken1007]

I have a 1988 Avanti Convert and would also like to hear what you found out about the window sweeps

Thanks :-)

Avanti Window Sweeps

Replacement of the window sweeps in the 89 Avanti convertible started under the assumption that, like many other parts, they were GM based. After several months of exchanging window sweeps (by mail) and carefully measured pictures (email) to various vendors of older GM parts it was determined that no suitable GM based window sweep would work. In fact no GM window sweep could be “modified” to look like the original (this assumes the original was still on the car). One vendor even said he understood that Avanti had the window sweep made and there is only one US manufacturer of window sweeps in the U.S. and they do not make a suitable Avanti sweep. Each vendor suggested using the “universal” sweep. The problem with that is they are only straight (and almost impossible to bend without cutting) and the stainless reveal is slightly narrower than my original and the end will not be finished off, like the original, instead the end will be “squeezed“ down as opposed to “rounded off“. But only one end of the sweep is visible with the other end under the vent window rubber.

The alternative is to buy remade sweeps from Nostalgic Motors at $100 each and you have to send the old sweeps to use as a pattern. In my case I did not want to remove both sweeps at the same time and it would have been about $250, instead I used a “light weight” universal window sweep at $35 from Convertible Top Specialists . They said it could be bent on a jig, which is true, but bending distorted the angle of the reveal, so, reluctantly, three cuts were made in the “base”, and the base of the sweep was secured to the door at each end of the sweep. Then the sweep was gently pushed down towards the center and secured to the door, this was repeated from each end until meeting in the center. I did not want to cut the sweep for fear of not having a “smooth” appearance at the bend points by seeing a slight bend in the stainless reveal at each of the three cuts, which is more likely to happen if a heavier gauge material is used. Because this is lighter weight sweep one can not tell where the cuts were made and the reveal is quite smooth in appearance. As to the visible end of the stainless reveal not being “rounded” off, I do not see this as a problem because when the end was cut to the proper length for the door, the rubber underneath is so thin that it almost looks like it belongs that way. Just one point of caution; the stainless reveal is slightly narrower than the original so if your car has been repainted with reveal in place, the new reveal might show a thin strip of a different color.

Now maybe you see why I said in my post that I learned more about sweeps than I every wanted to know. Ken - Deltaville, VA