Freds 73 Scamp restore on a budget

RAT ROD AL said
First one was an old used stocker. couldn't get the glass in . figured it was to old and stiff to stretch. Messed the paint all up .
touched it all up, ordered a new rubber seal from Steele with a black rubber lock strip. It looks like about an inch short on the bottom edge. it won't stay in the window hole. Have to stick one corner and stretch it on the glass as i'm trying to get the glass in. Headliner came all loose around the rear window. More scratches in the repaired paint. Window still not in.
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Had a few like that well a lot really put the rubber on the glass not in the pinch weld and lock it in for a few days then put the rubber in the car and try it again. but I think you might have tried that already. Heat also helps get it warm and soap it up. Had a few that was like you have and had to cut the gasket bottom center and after the glass was installed had to urethane the gap. China made I think is the worse.