I just installed a new trunk lock gasket from Detroit Muscle Technologies. (See pic below).

How does the look of this gasket compare to originals…sizing and color? Does anyone have a picture of an unrestored car with the original gasket installed? I’d like to compare.

Thanks everyone!

DMT's gaskets are sized and made based on NOS originals. I would think that the one on your car should be spot on compared to the original.

Thanks, Dwight. That's what I was wondering.

Looks SPECTACTULAR

I agree! You have fantastic products.

I like!

is different than a b c and e body challenger ,body door and trunk lock gaskets?

is different than a b c and e body challenger ,body door and trunk lock gaskets?

This an example of the unrestored original from the Tabbaco heir Hemi Cuda.

Thanks ucudant. I saw that picture after my initial posting and compared it to the one I installed on my car.

It looks like the original gasket on the Tobacco car doesn't protrude out as far from the stainless lock bezel compared to the DMT gaskets. However, the gasket on this car is 45 years old, so it has probably shrunk or been modified in some way by the environment. It doesn’t even have the grey coloring anymore.

I found a old shot of mine, new gasket installed.

I know this is an old post but I also have black versions of those gaskets. Even Mopar replacements came in gray and black. Black would probably look better on that tailpanel.

In fact I make all of my gaskets in black for some customers doing black or dark colored card.

Good to know.

Actually, It's funny you should mention this because I was at the Nationals this past weekend and I saw a 70 AAR with a black gasket behind the trunk lock. It looked like it had been there for quite some time. I could not tell if it was assembly line issue. I should have taken a picture...

I know an old post but curious if anyone can confirm color used, grey or black?

Is it possible that this was changed at some point by year?
Or based on body color?

Mine being a mid March 70 build AAR, any idea what would be correct?

I'll keep digging in old parts and post what I find . . . If I find it

Thanks

Thought I would share my findings since no-one jumped in . . .

Couldn't locate my original, vaigly recall it being split in several places and in my haste tossing it.

Called several friends with AAR's, some restoring previously unrestored cars, a couple refinished (by the current owner), and a few survivors, all reported the same findings, black. So it would appear that at least for AAR's, black was used.

Now the question becomes were the black seals used;
Only on AAR's (doubtful)?
Only on blackout tail panels?
Only on blackout tail panels for some period?
Only up to a date?
Only between some dates?
Or randomly based on supplier?

Logically (so this can't be since its Chrysler), cars with an Argent tail panel would get grey and cars with blackout would get black. As seen on the Reynolds 71 Cuda, this doesn't appear to hold true.

AAR#2 - I have several pictures of unrestored/survivor 70 Hemi Cuda's and they all have the grey gasket as made by DMT. The build dates on the Hemi cars I’ve documented almost span the entire model year of production, but that doesn’t mean a black gasket was not used. I’ve only seen a couple survivor AARs, and I don’t recall seeing a black gasket on the car. I would think that detail would have jumped out at me.

One item to keep in mind is that back then you could buy and change the locks, if needed. Could it be that the Mopar replacement lock packages contained a black gasket, vs. the assembly line grey gaskets? Not sure.

On another note, I have since been told that the factory grey trunk lock gaskets are more “spongy” than the DMT gasket, which makes it easier to install the retaining clip inside the trunk. I have not been able to confirm this by seeing an original gasket in person, however.