GHD9024AA - Facelift Backlight Glazing Rubber

[Jaguar5993]

Hi there,
As part of my restoration, I needed to remove all the glass and later ,when the car is resprayed,I will put the already purchased ,new screen rubber seals in.
I was just about to take the rear window out,when I suddenly thought that I should check the availability of a new rear rubber seal (GHD9024AA.)
You don’t need 3 guesses on this one...NLA new anywhere in the world!
After contacting some Jag parts specialist ,it was put forward that I should actually leave the window in and get the resprayer to mask and spray around it.
That just goes against the grain with me ,as I have recently found out that sometimes there is hidden rust etc. It is more of a professional approach with window removed.
Firstly,does anyone know of any new sources for these seals and secondly, can the window be taken out without damaging the old seal and then tackle any possible rust, but more importantly, will the old seal still seal well again?
Seals still available for pre facelift cars...so no problem.
Thanks

[AndyF]

Hi Nick

Just a thought - but have you considered trying to reverse engineer the part? I have run into a similar issue with the wiper mechanism grommet and I am now exploring how I could get the part prototyped via a commercial rapid prototyping company.

You could either get an original part scanned and digitised, as the basis for a proto moulding or get some CAD put together for the part, based on the key functional dimensions. Costs for a single part would be very high, but it would keep it original in design and excess parts could be sold on.

PM me if you would like to consider this further.

AF

[Jaguar5993]

Hi Andy,
Tbh...it all sounds above my head, but great idea of getting some parts repro'd quickly.
We can only hope that as some of these XJS's seem to be getting worth restoring now, meaning that some companies might find a commercial reason to reproduce some new parts....How about a complete new, repro scuttle top that you can spot weld in etc...lol...
Our problem is the limited production run of these late models, especially with 6.0 Coupes.
I might be wrong, but there seems to be more and more professional restorations of XJS's now....I mean, the strip bare on a rotisserie sort of rebuild, like the pros do for a classic E Type or Ferrari .
I remember in the late 70's ,early 80's when the cars were cheaper and the cheaper repairs/resto's followed.
That doesn't or shouldn't happen now with those cars, especially with the often £100,000 price tag.
I do feel optimistic that more repro parts are coming for the XJS in the next few years...we all know the parts that we struggle for, so hopefully some rubber parts. Tooling is costly, but these rubbers can't be too hard to get made again.
However, I know nothing on how this would be done.
As for my rear glazing rubber, I'm stuck and might not have any choice but to leave the window in. Who wants a leaking rear end anyway?
Cheers

[PaulGover]

I think I read somewhere that getting the window out of the back of an XJS is exceeding difficult. (No doubt only exceeded by putting it back again!)

[AndyF]

I am hopeful that the XJS spares condition will improve in future. As values firm up, people are more prepared to spend money on restoring them - due to their love of the car combined with the knowledge that it makes more sense financially. This trickles down to encourage suppliers to start new lines or prods JLR Classic Parts into action. As a side note, I would be interested to hear how other Jaguar products are covered with spares. Can an E type owner find everything they need? Is it getting harder for XJ (X300 / X308), S and X Type and XK (X100) owners as their cars age?

I'll see how my investigations go on reverse engineering rubber parts via a prototype route. If it is successful, I'll share the news! If not, I'll file it along with my other hairbrained ideas!

One other thought - Darren Green's restoration of his 1994 V12 coupe (as featured in the April 2021 magazine). He must have tackled the same issue as you Nick - the photos show the bodyshell looking immaculate in primer with all the glazing removed.

@ David R - not sure if Darren reads or posts on the forum, so perhaps you could put the question to him on Nick's behalf? Was he able to source New Old Stock parts? Or reuse the original?

AF