Manx Style Windshield Seal, For Glass To Frame Mounting

Product Overview

When you''re tearing up the dunes or cruising the coastline in a classic Meyers Manx or a fiberglass buggy clone, the last thing you want to deal with is a rattling windshield or water leaking into your cockpit. The EMPI Manx Style Windshield Seal is the professional''s choice for securing your safety glass firmly within the aluminum windshield frame. Over decades of exposure to UV rays and salt air, original rubber seals become brittle, crack, and lose their elasticity, leading to dangerous glass movement or unsightly gaps. This high-quality replacement seal provides the cushioning and weatherproofing necessary to restore the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of your buggy''s front glass assembly.

Engineered by EMPI, a name synonymous with air-cooled Volkswagen performance and style since the 1960s, this 10-foot roll of specialized rubber extrusion is designed specifically for the unique "glass-to-frame" mounting interface. Unlike standard Beetle seals, this profile is tailored to wrap around the edge of the glass before being seated into the aluminum channel. With 120 inches of material provided, you have more than enough length to cover a standard Manx-style windshield with a generous margin for precision trimming. Whether you are performing a frame-off restoration on a vintage EMPI Imp or just freshening up a weekend beach cruiser, this seal ensures a tight, vibration-free fit that looks as good as it performs.

Vehicle Fitment

This windshield seal is designed for universal application on "Manx Style" fiberglass dune buggy bodies that utilize a standard aluminum windshield frame. This includes, but is not limited to, the following models:

• Meyers Manx: Original, Manx II, and Manx S.R. models.
• EMPI: Imp and Sportster buggy kits.
• Berrien Buggy: Nostalgia, Roadrunner, and Lancer models.
• Berry Mini-T: T-Bucket style fiberglass bodies.
• Kyote: Dean Jeffries designed buggy bodies.
• Allison: Daytona and various kit configurations.
• Generic Fiberglass Buggies: Most "California Style" buggies using a 1/4-inch safety glass and aluminum frame setup.

Technical Specifications

• Total Length: 10 Feet (120 Inches).
• Material: High-grade EPDM weather-resistant rubber.
• Profile Type: U-Channel glass-to-frame mounting.
• Manufacturer: EMPI.
• Part Number: 18-1057-0.
• GTIN: 707924459890.
• Weight: 0.5 lbs.
• Color: Matte Black.
• Chemical Resistance: Resistant to ozone, UV exposure, and typical automotive cleaners.

Pro Tips from the Appletree Garage

Tip 1: Use the Right Lubricant for Installation

Installing new rubber into a tight aluminum channel can be frustrating without the right approach. Avoid using petroleum-based lubricants like grease or WD-40, as these can degrade the rubber compound over time and cause it to swell or rot. Instead, use a mixture of mild dish soap and water in a spray bottle, or a dedicated glass cleaner. This provides the "slip" needed to slide the glass and seal into the frame but dries completely, leaving the seal firmly seated without any oily residue that could attract sand and grit.

Tip 2: Accounting for Natural Rubber Shrinkage

Rubber has a tendency to shrink slightly over time, especially when exposed to the heat of the sun. When you are trimming the seal to length, do not cut it exactly flush at the corners. We recommend leaving an extra 1/8th to 1/4 of an inch and "bunching" the seal slightly as you work it around the glass. This ensures that as the rubber settles and undergoes thermal cycles, it won''t pull away from the corners, which is the most common cause of leaks and gaps in buggy windshields.

Tip 3: Prep the Aluminum Channel Thoroughly

Before you even touch the new seal, take the time to clean the inside of your aluminum windshield frame. Old seals often leave behind calcified rubber, oxidation, or even old silicone adhesive used by previous owners. Use a small wire brush or a flat-head screwdriver wrapped in a rag to scrape the channel clean. A smooth, debris-free channel is the only way to ensure the new EMPI seal seats at the proper depth, preventing the glass from sitting "high" and making the frame assembly difficult to bolt back together.