So, I know I am not that bright - but really? Deck lid grill gasket......

You're right no room to install an original gasket with the VS grill, just install the grill.

Hi Scott.... My car is a CMC, for what it's worth, mine doesn't have a gasket and fits fine....Larry

Thanks Alan - good to know I am not (that) crazy.

The grill fits fine, it just bugs me that the gasket detail is missing.

You may want to check with Carey at Beck.  I ordered my engine grille from him and he also supplied a gasket that is basically an o-ring that is split lengthwise.  It slips over the edge of the grille and is held in place when the grille is installed against the decklid.

I remember installing the gasket that James mentioned on my CMC a long, long time ago.  I just went out to take a photo of it and it isn't even there!  Sometime in the past few years it must have fallen out of there and I never noticed!    

Just drive the car.  It looks just fine without it.

Gasket?  you mean I have to find a gasket for the grill I can't find?  Great...

No, @Wrenn Smith   Don't bother looking for the gasket, just the grill.

CMC was too cheap to throw in a $12.95 gasket with their grill.    

@Alan Merklin @Gordon Nichols ^^ both you sirs are correct....if the grill is loose....some 2 side tape will hold it in just dandy....not all that complicated....as always IMHO

tape idea sounds best..maybe a glob of JB weld and dont tighten all the way..my dental crown still holding except when i drink Jack:}

That's odd; my VS came with that gasket; it didn't come with a bunch of other gaskets that it should've had and that I ended up sourcing and installing myself, such as the two that go on the hood moulding and the ones behind the horn grilles.

good luck to you..problem  i drink Jack every day,,i was trying to make a funny. mine cost $1850 recently,,,ouch...no dental insurance..Jack doesnt affect it:}

My gasket on my CMC grille is a straight piece that is dumbbell shaped. It was pretty easy to install.

Why would you need a gasket ?  What is it designed to seal ? Perhaps to eliminate a potential rattle ?.  Never knew there is such a thing................Bruce

It's use is mostly cosmetic to seal off the gap between the grill and body, but if any of us had a muffler as quiet as the original we might notice the buzzing coming from the grill when under way.  The gasket (supposedly) sealed off the gap, making things look "neat".  Germans wouldn't have it any other way.

@aircooled posted:

Why would you need a gasket ?  What is it designed to seal ? Perhaps to eliminate a potential rattle ?.  Never knew there is such a thing................Bruce

Its seems that gaskets were used in many metal to metal contact areas such as the engine grille, horn grilles, handles, lights, etc.  My guess would be to reduce rattles and rubbing the paint, resulting in more rust issues.  One of the things the German engineers did not put much effort into with their early cars was corrosion protection.

An appearance thing...Got it........Bruce

@Alan Merklin posted:

You're right no room to install an original gasket with the VS grill, just install the grill.

My CMC has a gasket but my grill is an original used 356 grill.

When I brought my 2003 VS from the original owner it was missing a few gaskets where things (grill, hood trim, door handles, etc.) we’re mounted to the body.

I am a firm believer that anywhere something is mounted to a painted body surface there should be a barrier (a.k.a. gasket).  It doesn’t seal a darned thing with the grill but it keeps the paint from chipping at the edges.

I seem to recall buying all the rubber bits I needed from Kirk and Mary before they sold the business.  I imagine they aren’t too terribly hard to find if you look in the right places: Vintage Motorcars or Special Edition.

I remember I sourced the missing seals from Porsche part outfits such as Stoddards, Klasse 356, Sierra Madre Collection, Mid America Motorworks, etc.