Our 1969 Firebird convertible was getting water in the trunk after we washed it.

I looked at the plastic gutter below the top and it was cracked, so we replaced it.

When testing, water runs down the rear window, it all goes right through the top at the lower edge before the chrome strip and ends up in the gutter. I'm trying to determine how much water should be getting to the gutter, as it seems to pour in at the lower edge of the window. Do they all do this or is the convertible top somehow supposed to seal somewhat at the lower edge (pinch weld) of the canvas/window area?

I can't tell if its time for a new top or if the reason for the gutter is that they all leak so badly along the lower seal???

On a new top, does the water pour thru the base of the top into the gutter? I don't want to replace it if a new one does the same thing.

I have never looked. My car rarely see rain, and can't wash it and see water coming at the same time. How are you doing that? Hidding in the trunk? As long as the gutters are doing their job I wouldn't be too worried about it.

My top is pretty darn tight at the pinch weld area.

I have three 'verts, hand wash them a couple times a year, and never get water in the trunk other than one of them leaks around the tail light seals. It must be something with the gutter.

The rain collects into the gutter and is supposed to dump to the quarter window section. When it dumps under the window, it should drain into the rockers from a small 1/8" hole in the channel area. You might find that the hole is plugged with grease or dirt? Mine was on one side when I took my car apart. Once in drains into the rockers, there is a drain opening (a square hole in the rear of the rocker area) that the water drains to the outside. You may have a rubber flapper covering the hole, but mine were missing and the opening half blocked with the floor from the factory.