Learn me: old car weatherstripping

I'm currently in the process of tearing down my '66 Hillman Husky for body work (build thread here), and I'm at a crossroads. My weatherstripping is well and truly done. Since it's an old and unusual car, replacement pieces are nigh impossible to find. There are "universal" weatherstripping products--I've heard Steele Rubber makes good stuff--but I've also heard some weatherstripping on these old cars is "irreplaceable" so I'm a little afraid of tearing the old stuff out.

Can I (1) use stuff like Steele Rubber's peel-and-stick extrusions to seal up my windows and doors, or (2) should I try to fill up the cracks in the old stuff with some magic/science compound, or maybe (3) just not drive the thing in the rain ever?

Any help appreciated.

I would be very surprised if you can't find a good match from Steele. Trying to save the old ones is probably an exercise in frustration.

I use Metro for rubber and seals

https://www.metrommp.com/?f=part_type_list

It is as simple as looking at pictures, ordering free samples of what you think is correct and then choosing the best match for your profile.

Both Metro and Steele have a good selection of universal weatherstrips in a variety of shapes. I generally use Metro as they are local to me and have been happy with their quality.

Have you checked to see if there are any UK sources for Hillman weatherstrip? A quick Google search turned up some guy in Australia who has Hillman Minx rubber parts but he didn't have the Husky listed on his website.

http://www.dannoenterprises.com/

I saw this site suggested on another forum. It can't hurt to have more places to look.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will definitely be looking into all of these.

I've always had pretty good luck with JC Whitney, no really.

Somewhere in their site are B&W slices of weather stripping with dimensions. Even if all you have is the metal rib that goes inside the window track you could figure out what you need. It usually comes in 8 ft. rolls and surprisingly cheap.

Dan

http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/textsearch_result.jcw?D=weatherstripping&PN=1101000714+4294867484&Nty=1&Ntx=mode+matchallany&PNf=P_JCW_FS_Regular_Price%7CGT+0&Ntk=part_main_4_5&VN=0&N=0&Nu=P_PF_Code_4&Ntt=weatherstripping&shopid=100001&l2=1

saruken wrote: (3) just not drive the thing in the rain ever?

It IS British, so I'd probably stick with number three

Yes, since it never rains in Great Britain, so they simply don't know how to design cars to handle a spot of damp...

Just go to the junkyard and find something that fits. They come in every shape and size and if you go to a less used door such as the passenger side rear on a four door they are usually still like new. Or a mini van slider uses a really long length and you can cut the compressed/worn bit out and still have enough for a small car. Bonus is you will probably get it for free. Second bonus is it will seal far better than the crappy felt glue-on POS that the Brits dreamed up.