[jayoldschool]

DON'T GIVE UP!

It may not be that bad. That rear window leak is SUPER common on 70s GM cars with vinyl tops. My 71 did the exact same thing since the day I got it when I was 16. I used silicone all around the mouldings on both sides, and it never helped. If it rained, the trunk would get wet. I used to park it with plastic sheeting rolled up in the windows and pulled down to the trunk.

When I finally got the body done, we took the paint down to the metal, peeled back the vinyl top, and removed the rear window. I couldn't believe my eyes. There were about three or four tiny pinholes in the bottom left side right where the glass met the vinyl. It would hold moisture, and that's where it rotted through and the water would leak. It didn't even need a patch, just a few zaps with the mig. I did my Pontiac full custom style, so I didn't put the vinyl back on. Happy to report that ten years later, the trunk is still bone dry.

Here is what to do. Go to a glass shop. Get them to pull your back window. Once it's out, you need to clean out that channel down to the metal. Hate to say it, but you will need to peel back that vinyl too. If you do it carefully, you may be able to reglue it around the window. If you destroy it, don't worry... getting a top done is only about 250 bucks. Once you find the rust holes, find a local body shop that works for cash and have them patch it up. Doesn't have to be beautiful because it will be under the vinyl. They will be very familiar with your problem and know exactly what to do to fix it (and it will only cost you a few hundred, tops). even if they have to cut some patches it is not a hard job. Just get the holes patched, sealed, primed, painted. Then, the vinyl goes back (reglue, or new), then back to the glass shop to restick that window. Put the moldings back, and enjoy your dry trunk.

To safely drive it for now until you get that window leak done, just buy a sheet of patch metal, cut some patches for your trunk, and silicone them in place. You don't need to screw them for a temp job.

Where are you? Perhaps one of our members knows a shop that can help you out. Heck for 1/8th of what those rip-off artists wanted to charge you, you could pick up some nice shears, and a mig welder and do it your self.