1973-1979 VW Super Beetle Convertible Cal Look Front Windshield Seal
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- Description
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TechTips
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This high quality 1973-1979 VW Super Beetle Convertible Cal Look (or Standard style) Front Windshield seal comes with a lifetime
guarantee and is sure to fit your classic VW perfectly. Cal Look Window seals do not have a molding groove for the deluxe trim so
they install as a smooth seal.
Please Note: The original metal gripper clips on the windshield frame must be removed prior to window seal installation! See tech tip for more details.
Cal Look versus American Look:
There is only one difference between “American Look” and “Cal Look” window seals. The groove to accept the chrome trim. American window seals have the groove. Cal look seals do not have the groove. It's the exact same rubber compound, fit, function, and quality is the same.
American Window Rubber
- American window seals have a groove in the rubber to accept the aluminum window molding
- Most Beetles that were exported from Germany to the US came with the aluminum trim in the window rubber
- Thus, this style of rubber seal is referred to as "American"
Cal Look Window Rubber
- Cal Look window seals do not have the groove to accept the aluminum trim
- Called "Cal Look" which is short for "California Look" where the style originated in the 1960s
- Removing all of the chrome trim from the vehicle including the window trim, body trim, bumpers, and more gives the car a completely different look
Tip 1:
When installing any extruded seal (a seal that has a glued or vulcanized seam) it is highly recommended to put the seam at the bottom center of the window. If the seam is installed in a corner the seam can split because of the seal expanding and contracting with temperature changes. If the seal can't be installed at the bottom center, make sure to put it on a straight edge of the window. Failure to do so will void the warranty on the seal.
Tip 2:
"Gripper Teeth", "Blow-Out Strips", and "Alligator Teeth" can be found on various 1973-on VW models. These metal clips have many names but regardless of what you call them they must be removed prior to installing your new windshield seal. VW originally offered these clips at a time when not everyone wore seatbelts. These teeth were designed to hold the windshield in place, and keep the driver from going through the vehicle in a collision. Unfortunately, this also meant that since the windshield did not give, oftentimes the driver/passengers heads would smash against the retained glass. That is the reason modern cars manufactured do not have these clips. Drivers today know seatbelts save lives.
There are no windshield seals made that accommodate these clips. Removing the clips is a fairly easy procedure, but it can chip the paint so we recommend doing this before painting your vehicle. The clips can be chiseled off. Alternatively, you can also drill through the spot welds to remove them. Although this area will be covered up with your new seal, we recommend touching up the removed clip mounts with some paint to prevent rust before installing your new windshield.
Shipping
We offer FREE SHIPPING on orders over $100*Orders under $100 cost a flat-rate, $11.95*
*Contiguous United States only. Excludes Hawaii & Alaska.
If you need express shipping, please call us for expedited shipping options. We will try to consolidate as much as possible to offer the lowest shipping rates.
Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, APO/FPO, & US TerritoriesFor orders to Hawaii, Alaska, APO/FPO, Puerto Rico and other US territories, we will provide you with your shipping options and the costs via phone. The shipping costs for these orders are billed at the time of shipping.
International ShippingWe do not ship internationally. We only ship to the USA and it's territories.
Returns
90 Day Return PolicyYou can return most unused, never installed, like-new items for 90 days from the date of receipt. Items must be in like-new condition.
The following items are final sale:
- Special order items
- Special order upholstery
- Electrical items
- Installed carburetors
- Once mounted, wheels cannot be returned