In a message dated 5/6/00 7:40:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET writes:

<< To all who have the notion that the decrotive chrome moulding isn't
 nesesary, Forget it!
 Mack Truck has used the same set up for at least 40 years,to retain the
 windsheild glass ( black rubber locker bead) and if not used, the glass
 will be loose in the moulding, and it will leak like a seive.
 I had my windsheild replaced,on my Vanagon and the glass guy, when I
 asked him specificly about removing the tarnished chrome moulding he
 told me that if I enjoyed, a wet dash board, leave it out.
 I did renew the ugly rear window and windsheild mouldings, with very
 little trouble, using alot of WD-40 and the proper tools.
 The front chrome moulding cost me $18.00, as did the rear, and I got
 them at the local VW dealer.
 The side glass cost $9.00 ea. >>

actually the plastic window molding has nothing to do w/ leakage.  ive
removed all the faded plastic window trim years ago on my vans w/o any
leakage.
chris