53 windshield trim removal.

[Valts]

Hi!
Friend started long awaited 53 coupe restoration project but cant figure out how to remove upper-smaller trim of windhield and same also on rear glass.

Thicker piece is fastened thru firewall with long bolts and nuts and can be removed altought some butterfly nuts are hard to reach from inside.

[G Pennington]

The upper piece is held in place by the windshield gasket.  You will probably have to cut the rubber to get it off.  Of course that means removing the windshield and replacing the gasket.  Suggest you just leave it in place if you don't to get that deep into it.

[Jim Govoni CLC 20546]

I second what Gary said. It took Steele Rubber 4 tries for my 53 Series 62. My restorer had to drive there, which I paid for, with the gasket to prove it was wrong. Only then did they agree that the mold was wrong. In the midst of this mess they stated "we have sold over 500 of these with no problems". Well, simple math should tell you that is unlikely. It's a very difficult job and there are few "old timers" left that can install a gasket into the body with certain parts already in place and install the glass at the same time.

Jim

[Valts]

Thank you for replies, it helped a lot.
There seem to be small hooks or bent sections on that upper trim that go inside the rubber gasket. Tension holds it in place.

We will think about leaving the glass and trim in place but my friend is quite experienced restorer and he likes to go as far as possible.  Windshield also has some bad spots.