I've purchased a 1971 MALIBU 4 DR. SPORT SEDAN and I was wondering if anyone out there has ever restored one. Most everything needed can be purchased to replace whatever is need, with on exception, body parts.

First, I'm luck that there are only a couple of areas that are rusted out and needs replacement panels. The rear window to trunk panel, is there a supplier out there for this panel? There is a truck portion that is rusted out, it is the 4" ledge that runs the width of the car and is attached to the rear tail lamp panel. Is there a replacement panel for this section or is it incorporated into the trunk floor repair panel?

Second, the weather stripping on the car is rotten. I've found trunk weather stripping and replaced it. There is a company, I've been told that manufactures (unknown) the front door weather stripping and the seal between the front and rear door glass seal (quarter window seal). And I've been told that the door weather stripping for a 2 Dr. can be used for the rear door of a 4 Dr. I've purchased this weather stripping and it looks to be doable. But what about the roofrail weather stripping, vent window glass weather stripping, front window run channel, window felts and door jamb rubber? Is there a manufacture for these parts? Or is there another car that the parts can be adapted to work? Such as a Impala 4 Dr. hard top?

Third, door panels upholstery and such, any ideas?

My wife likes this car, she states that is a practical family car with sporty look to it. And I wood like to make her dream car a nice ride.

Thanks
Bob

someone else please jump in, but as far as i know these rubber parts are not being made. i need them myself too. i would like to know about the 2 door rubber fitting the rear doors, that would be new to me!
now, they do make the door rubber for a 4 door sedan, just not the hard top as far as i know. same for the innterior door panels. ( i think pui has them)

I don't know about a '71 specifically but I just got thru re-assembling my '67 4 dr sedan after a recent paint job and had NO problems finding all the weatherstripping I needed...including window run channel, inner/outer fuzzy set, vent window rubber, trunk and all 4 of the door weatherstripping. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

bill you are lucky, they make all that, but 4 door hardtops are a different story.

Check with softseal.com they seem to have everything for my 1964 wagon.

To answer part of my own question, you can get the front door weather stripping and the quarter and side window leading (or vertical) edge weatherstrips from Steele Rubber Products. They also have a good selection of Chevelle 4 door post weather stripping.

As to the rear doors, one end of 2 door weatherstripping matches the door latch end of the rear door (rear of the rear door). The other end of the 2 door weatherstripping gets cut off and thrown away. That cut off end is glued to the front end of the door. (On the hing end of the door there is a section of the door that covers the top of the center post when closed. You tuck it under there.) The old U Jamb Rubber that is incorporated into old weatherstripping is left attached to the door until I can figure out how to replace it. I'll try to post some pictures when Iget it done.

I was wanting to know if the 4 door HardTop and the 4 door Post use the same wing window seal?

As for the roofrail weatherstripping, I was thinking that the roofrail WS from a 4 door Impala could be used if a section was removed from the center and glued back together.

But it will be a while before I can try it. The company my wife works for is moving to Mexico. So all repairs to the car have been put on hold for now.

Bob

PS

I bought a set of used door panels from a man in Pearland, TX and he has a 68 4 door Post and a 71 4 dr HardTop, he stated that the door panels have the same shape but have a differant style. I'll keep you posted.

Bob

Originally posted by MrRoberts:
PS

I bought a set of used door panels from a man in Pearland, TX and he has a 68 4 door Post and a 71 4 dr HardTop, he stated that the door panels have the same shape but have a differant style. I'll keep you posted.

Bob 68 4 door Post and a 71 4 dr HardTop are not the same in shape, not only the pattern. they are not interchangable. the fronts may be but the rear are absolutly different.