OK, this is just a wild idea which came to me because of a random email, but...

I can't remember about Belletts but Hillmans have pivoting front 1/4 windows - they leak, produce wind whistle and you cannot get the rubbers for them anywhere. At least until a couple of years ago when a bloke called Frank Schoen started organising reproductions. He started out with Imps, then someone convinced him to do Minxes (like the Isuzu ones). And now he has done about 4 different types. He has them made out of modern materials (HDPE?) and everyone reckons they are the ducks guts. The greatest praise I have heard cames from one of my mates who has the best Sunbeam Rapier I have ever seen: he says they are the best thing he ever bought for the car - perfect fit and wind noise all gone.

I can't promise anything but if there is a need for these I could ask Frank if he is willing to organise some Bellett 1/4 window rubbers. He would probably need to be looking at over 75 pairs to make it worthwhile. And they are likely to cost about $150 a pair.

So what do we think? Have I just wasted your time or could there be a need for these?

Cheers, Vic

I think you will find sedan and GT are different but I would certainly be in for a a pair for GT. and sedan.

I seem to remember seeing new, probably 40 year old, original vent window weatherstrip for around $200+ for a pair, on Japanese auction. But I haven't seen any listed for quite some time.

If you can work out the model differences and make sure it fits like original, it sounds great. The reproduction windshield weatherstrip has too many "buts" in the description, like "but you can't use the metal trim". Not slighting anyone, just hoping for the best ending.

Sedan and GT are different, I would be interested in front 1/4 windows for GT and if possible rubbers on the rear windows of the GT.
Anyone know of new rear window rubbers on the rear pop out windows on the GT? Not the rubbers fitted to the body.

Rear popout window rubbers put me down for four sets. If you can get them made.

GT rear pop-out window rubbers - I'm in too for 2 if ever available! As far as the wing 1/4 windows, I am wishing hard that it was the same thing I did for my VW - just buy "new" ones. Sigh ...

Yeah I'd be after two sedan sets and two GT sets, I reckon!!!

Just as long as they fit! Sounds like the Hillman crew have had a good run, so that's promising.

Let us know of a timeframe!

Cheers,

Dave

there's an easier way to fix whistling quarter vents.... and it only costs 5c....

and yep, it works!

thats rite i had a hilux 4wd once cost me 20 c

jeez rod.... u could have fixed both windows on 2 belletts for that mate!

whistling windows aint the problem,mine are perished. If you fix that for 5 cents i'll have a dozen.

Ok I contacted Frank about the possibility and here is the guts of his reply

"Hello Vic, I dont mind making other seals but it depends on demand. How many hillman minxs are there out there and I only made 150 pairs and it has taken so long to sell them and I still have them and without US owners buying at least 50 pairs they would still not have sold well. IF the demand is there for sales of 150 to 200 minimum of any seal then I am okay to look into getting them. ..... Most of the resto shops that sell window seals charge $110 for just one seal and these are mass produced seals that are really not that good. I am looking at doing a Humber seal next for Roger Foote in Sydney but I know the sales will be slow for this but they have indicated they are happy to pay up to $250 the pair to have them made ...... Regards Frank"

So basically it's a question of numbers - I have the feeling that there may not be enough Belletts left to mave enough demand - unless we could round up people from overseas.

Frank actually has an add for his Sunbeam Rapier seals on Ebay at the moment.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SUNBEAM-RAPIER-M ... 2c5c195056

I know that Frank spends a lot of time getting them right, he works with samples of the window frames that they have to fit into, and has a trial set made beore going to final production. Frank lives somewhere on the Sunshine Coast if someone up that way wanted to view the seals to see the quality 1st hand.

Cheers, Vic

I stumbled upon an auction for new-old-stock vent window weatherstrip pieces.

http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d116427127

Opening bid is 40,000 Yen.

The worst case scenario price would still be about half the market price in Japan. Demand from Japanese buyers for weatherstrip might be high.

But would those guys get into buying these bits from Australia? The Japanese don't seem to frequent eBay that much and it appears that the only active guy in Japan on our forum is, in fact, a gaijin!

If there was some avenue to get the items to them, they may be enthused!

It's not that they don't frequent eBay, it's that they don't trust and won't buy from non-Japanese.

But exactly how many new Bellett items have been offered on Ebay? There hasn't been much of a conspicuous market of restoration, reproduction, or racing items for 1960's Isuzu cars outside Japan for them to notice or justify overcoming the cultural distrust of the foreigner. All it takes is for one of the younger owners in a group over there to figure out he can redo all the seals on his car for half the price, with new items from Australia instead of 40+ year old stuff that has been dry rotting on a shelf, and you're swamped and trying to find someone to translate the inquiries.

Eagle might be interested.
Restored (the carbon fiber body panel shop) used to sell some seals, but has a big note on their page that they don't have any more to sell.

The cars are appreciating in value.
The owners in the primary English speaking area (Australia) are spending money.
NOS parts in the place where most of the cars are (Japan), are quite expensive. People are obviously paying that much for those parts. And there is enough demand that they are being offered on an ongoing basis.
The whole situation is a lot more inviting than the destitute rice boys in the FF cars.

Put me down for a set of any GT rubbers that get made!! PM if this goes ahead i have cash awaiting!