Anyone shaved the drip rails on these Dusters/ A bodies ?

I never have, but the drip rail is where the roof skins are welded to the shell on the sides, so you would need to weld it all also.

Indeed.
Seems to be a place of rust issues, this one certainly has ( had the half vinyl top too).
I have to cut some out to do patch panels ( pieces ) anyway so i thought- hmmm, wonder what this would look like shaved and- little less wind resistance/turbulence as well.

just wondering if anyone had done one, had pictures on how they looked etc.
Would be as much welding as a whole quarter panel though.

I haven't seen it done to a Duster or any A body. But, every other car I have ever seen it done on was a visual disaster. Completely destroys the car's lines.

Pal had old Ritter webber Duster shaved ---looked odd and for what? The 1/3 of a MPH you gain No way on a bracket car IMO

70 charger street car running around here that has them cut off and it looks lousy IMO.

I see that done on some customized, resto-mod type stuff. On fast, stock body, max effort type cars, I've seen them filled and smoothed, but not removed that I can recall.

IIRC the RW car had them filled but 'slightly" shaved

Interesting.
fwiw- drip rails aren't a body line.

if one buys a lift off body- no drip rails.

they existed to help with noise and keeping rain out of the door seals- other than that they have no practical purpose and always cause rust issues, thus no new cars have come with such in many years.

On doing restorations, we always have to deal with the rust "under" the seam sealer as well as the metal itself.
We often have to cut out sections, sometimes long sections because to leave it means the new paint will eventually bubble from that rust spreading.

They Also help with roof rigidity as well.

But if its a race only car,
You don't need to worry about the noise.
You don't need to worry about the rain getting in.
You don't need to worry about roof rigidity if you have a cage/bar.

So do what you like, but I don't think I would like the looks of it.

So as long as you don't race at any of my tracks, and not there to offend me with your drip rail less looks, then have at it if its easier.

Your Tracks?

Im not out to offend anyone , it was just a question on if anyone here had done it- i've seen many A and B bodies done that look good.

But to say- "as long as you don't do it at my tracks" ??

If you own the track- ban me, if not, try to beat me.

And thats how i feel about that.

You see that laughy emojoe at the end of that sentence, that means its means I'm just joking. Don't own any tracks , but if I did, oh yeah, id ban you for sure..


I too would like to see some pics of the shaved drip rails, but looking on my dart, it doesn't look like it would look good. Thanks for posting the question.

They cost money to shape them into the hood line. Cutting is fast and simple. Figure 5-15 hrs per side to blend, not to mention welding up the seams.. Been there, won't do that again. Remove the paint in the rail and then check for rust. Prime and topcoat and after a few days fill with seal filler . Wait a week and touch up with body color. The water runoff from washing the car or rain itself always makes an interior mess.

Water was my concern A/MP as well as my labor.
As stated earlier- welding would be about the same as doing a whole quarter panel per side.
This one has some pretty bad rust along drivers drip rail and up into front corner above windshield.
Quickest/easiest thing is just to make patch panels and be done with it, though i'm always looking for things that might look good, be a little different, but fit the car and, losing a tad of weight /wind turbulance.

fwiw- removing thing like this "do" make a difference in a cars efficiency though i doubt it would show up in 1/8 mile.
longer distances/top speeds/fuel economy- sure, wind tunnels don't lie.

It was just an idea as i was going to be cutting most of the drivers side off and replacing anyway.

I get it now sport 440.
Sorry i took it the wrong way, I apologize.
It happens, its easy to be misunderstood when only having 1d conversation.
Eye contact, facial and hand expressions along with body language - makes all the difference.

I'm not very emoji educated i reckon.

Thanks

I get time i will get you a few picks of it done on Darts- they look good if done well and some folks do a little work on back seat window frames as well- pretty cool but doesn't "change " the car.

Im not sure how well the doors/windows seal up on those either though.

This Duster- roof wasnt attached properly from the factory- not correct at drivers front pillar and, on top of that, drivers rain gutter rusted badly in three areas and up into area above windshied.

If i was building a pro touring car to sell, i would just put a whole new roof on it.

We don't do many "restorations" on Mopars - far too expensive for most folks.
Chevy/Fords more than Mopars.;
I cant even remember the last time i saw anyone down here doing a numbers correct restoration on a mopar down here.

I have a numbers correct big block sport fury ( 66) - survivor, barn find, 41k miles- all original /running and driving, still has original interior in great shape- only one tear in it- can't sell it- everyone wants a restomod- sigh.

Its Texas- everyone has to have their own special brand.

GDemon did this on my car when we did the paint/bodywork. Let's see if I can add some pics from home...

My P-Body and G-BODY never came with them..
its up to you if you want them or not..
just that simple.. if he dont like them.. too bad

I'd try it.

That would be great Hardcore, really appreciate it.
Thanks

I had a '76 Duster with shaved rails.
Old PS car.