RBrid

That makes sense - I'll try to remember that when I'm at that stage with my restoration. Thanks for the tip!

Denpo

You're welcome mate.
The right thing to do it to install everything once, when you're sure everything fits, uninstall, paint and re-install.

F22

Just as we always do here, looking out for each other. If you were on our SoCal roads, you'd be doubly worried! They're in horrible condition, with many potholes and patches.

Denpo

Ever dared searching for "Montreal Potholes" in Google image?

When ice and snow melt away in the Spring, the scenery is one of a kind.





Not only extreme cold and salt do make road age faster, but we've become expert at lousy fix that won't even last a year.
I've been told it may have a lot to do with companies who have a boss with an Italian name...
Actually all road fixing companies that don't (have a mafia-certified boss) went under during last decade... what a coincidence ....

Denpo

It better turn out fine because there's no turning back anymore...











Most of the structural reinforcement of the window is still here.

F22

I can see what you're going to do there. So now, your next task is to build up a window channel, that's going to accommodate the New piece of glass? Just guessing here, but if that's what you're doing, I think it's going to look great. Looks pretty good!

Denpo

Thanks.
Goal is to create a strong frame around the contour of the window opening.
Everything will lie on the virtual window plane.
Then I'll make another frame that will hold the window and bolt to the first frame.
But I still have some work ahead making sure all the current surround lie correctly on this plane.
Tomorrow I will make a fake window out of whatever rigid material I can find at the hardware store, put a handle on it and start the checking/sanding dance.

brent319

Holy cow that was a huge leap of faith to cut that back window out.
I have faith that you will make it work out and it will be sweet when it is done.
This thing is going to have so many unique features about it when you (eventually) get done.
Oh, and yes. Those roads suck!
Keep up the good work. I really like watching the ideas you come up with get done.

Denpo

Thanks Brent.
Truth is, I've been brewing this for a while.
My first post about this, on another forum, was 3 years ago and I kept the spare back clip in my tiny backyard for that long.
So yeah, I was committed to that.
I'm after something between the look of the convertible hardtop and the Baldwin Motion phase III.
A perfect match of form and function as it will give headroom for my dog, and makes the back of the car damn sexy IMHO

brent319

I remembered your dog being a factor in the design of your car. That dog has no idea......
:-)

Denpo

Thanksgiving day off let me move forward on the rear window.
Made my plane checking tool in the usual ghetto fashion.




It's not bad already.









One touchy area it the bottom corner. I have to made a smooth curve to match the back subtle bulging.





Years ago, when I bought my front spoiler, I've been given a broken one in extra. Since this will probably be the more vulnerable part on the car, I'm proceeding to repair it and have it paint so I have a spare one ready just in case.



I managed to get a really good squeeze out of the resin, in the crack under the plastic wrap lay the most packed bit of fiber I ever laid, very few resin.
Once cured I'll do the real fixing, from behind. This glassing it more about ensuring the shape of the part stays right.

F22

That is genius! Way cool thinking with the wood, the beam and the *****! And then you elasticize it, so it's tight and pulled up.

Denpo

Thanks mate.
That's was I came up with what I had around.
Holes are from installing U shaped aluminum beams.
I removed them because they were a bit too long and didn't help maneuver the piece, but as soon as I get a close fit, I'll put them back.
I want to make sure the glass won't experience any stress of bending when installed, to I need my tool to be absolutely rigid.

Richard454

I like the Ghetto fashion...I mean if you use some bushed Nickel ***** - or really stepped up and used oil rubbed bronze ones, I would have been disappointed!!! Not using matching bungee cords is also a plus!!!


Really coming together-I like all the out of the box ideas you have put together!!!

I like the back window- but I really like the look of the Motions- scoops on the sail panels are a little too much -sorta remind me of the Mustangs

Denpo

Thanks Richard, I feel honored by you comment, considering you're one of the most thinking-out-of-the-box guy around.
Concerning the Motion Phase III, sure that's were I got my idea from, but I think in the process they lost a important design clue : the sharp edge of the arch around the back window.
That's why I'm making is at a steeper angle, to stay inside the arch.
Funny I heard the back window mod were also because of a dog.

Denpo

I started a side thread here about the rear window weatherstrip.

Denpo

I've spent the week fitting my body to my mdf window.
Added another bungie rope to the setup.
With the number of turn around the wood beam it can tune the tension.
The tension that keep the mdf board against the body is actually very small, the board almost floats.
This way I ensure the board is not deformed in any way.




My main fitting concern was the top, I wanted a close shave and a symmetric line.




I added a couple of tack gluing. Once cured I'll start casting the channel from behind.
As you probably noticed, the edges of the board have been wrapped, with small hole cut out for the tacks.

Denpo

Pretty much done with the upper half of the window.
I did it first because it's the hardest part, little if no access.
With the guide board tacked, I first 'molded' a couple of reference area, where I had a little bit of access, of a convenient hole to inject the filler.
Once cured I detached the board, fill the remaining areas, and press back the board to conform it to the plan.
The filler is a mix of epoxy and crushed fiberglass.

The lower part, which is much more accessible will get a true fiberglass treatment.

Richard454

I started out young- by putting the round pegs in the square holes!!!




Really coming together

Did you figure out the type of weatherstripping you are going to use....as the other thread sorta got derailed into a Motion car discussion...

Richard

Denpo

LOL, all it takes is enough persuasion.

Thanks Richard.

I'm gonna use what I ordered months ago, a simple U shaped strips, small enough so it can bend around the corners. I ordered with 3mm (approx 1/8") glass thickness in mind, I hope it's gonna be thick enough.
I didn't mind getting my thread derailed, I had all the informations I needed already, and Motion car and custom Vette in general don't get that much exposure on CF, so why not.