Split window conversion
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,144
Army
Save yourself a lot of money and butchering up your car and just draw a thick line using the correct interior color paint vertically down your rear view mirror. You'll have the 'look' every time you glance in the mirror along with the big blind spot. and save a lot of aggravation.
Being helpful but not hating...
Being helpful but not hating...
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,028
Likes: 2,586
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Save yourself a lot of money and butchering up your car and just draw a thick line using the correct interior color paint vertically down your rear view mirror. You'll have the 'look' every time you glance in the mirror along with the big blind spot. and save a lot of aggravation.
Being helpful but not hating...
Being helpful but not hating...
I know, I speak from a prejudiced position because I own a split window. It's really not that hard to get used to.
Rich
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,144
Army
How about Zora Duntov? He didn't like the idea for the very reason of the blind spot...
The OP can certainly do whatever he wants with his car but to me its a significant amount of work for very small aesthetic value.
The OP can certainly do whatever he wants with his car but to me its a significant amount of work for very small aesthetic value.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
Not really into car shows with all the self righteous tire kickers 
I doubt if 99% of the motoring public could tell the difference anyway. My ride is too heavily modified to worry about authenticity. Besides, I've always liked the split window look. Back in the day, I passed up a 340hp split window for a '66 L-72. Always wanted one since.
I doubt if 99% of the motoring public could tell the difference anyway. My ride is too heavily modified to worry about authenticity. Besides, I've always liked the split window look. Back in the day, I passed up a 340hp split window for a '66 L-72. Always wanted one since.
with you man it is what the owner likes in the car. Not what some one walking by the car is thinking. Plus I like the look of the 63 just makes the car look diff.
Go for it man...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I wonder how much less a 64 is worth, that's been "modified/butchered" in this way, than a stock correct one's worth?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 227
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, California
Three speeding tickets in succession and that damn window got replaced with a 64 window when they came available...They have a different or trick look but that was the problem, the poor rear view vision. And the inside mirror was all but useless. Plus the single drivers side mirror was not much help either.
Here in California, we no longer look for cops in the rear view mirror. They are usually lurking somewhere waiting. By the time you see him in your mirror - it's too late!
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,028
Likes: 2,586
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Prior to his passing I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Duntov at Carlisle and getting my "minute" with him. He loved every Corvette made. He didn't care what you did to it yourself as long as you were enjoying it. That is what the cars are for.
Rich
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Meant no disrespect, and not the first in this thread to use the term 'butcher'. But, there's an old rule about selling or buying custom cars that says when you are buying one you figure the amount to put the car stock again (unless you like it) and subtract that from the normal selling price. So... to do this costs you twice, the mod and drop in resale. And whatever you think, in five years or two weeks even, you may see your "real dream car", and want to flog the 'old beater'. I believe in personalizing, but nothing I can't unbolt when the time comes. INHO, but WTFDIK. Cheers.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 178
Likes: 58
From: Jersey Shore NJ
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
How about a high quality photo decal from a printing shop and overlay it on the window to see what it would look like. That's an inexpensive option.
Last edited by Birdman63; May 16, 2010 at 08:56 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 94
From: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
I am not advocating the conversion from one piece rear glass to two, but I just don't get the "big blind spot" so many people refer to. Have any of you ever driven a microwave van or a box truck where the only rear view you have is mirrors on the outside?
I know, I speak from a prejudiced position because I own a split window. It's really not that hard to get used to.
Rich
I know, I speak from a prejudiced position because I own a split window. It's really not that hard to get used to.
Rich
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,028
Likes: 2,586
From: Del Boca Vista FL
You want to watch that. I grew up in central NJ; I know where Brown's Mills is and every few months I get a need for a REAL buttered hard roll from the Italian People's Bakery in Trenton. Don't make me come after you.
I used to drive a microwave delivery Ford Econoline van for NAPA in South River NJ when I first got out of high school. Makes you get real familiar with side mirrors only for rear view. (even though they had an interior rear view mirror hanging from the inside)
I drove a 37 foot box truck, flat towing a vehicle behind it, from NJ to CA in 1982. That's a miserable experience.
Seriously, driving a split window is no different than driving any other midyear car. If someone is soooo intent on looking out the rear window there is some problem going on other than a vision obstruction. Yes, the obstruction is there. It is not insurmountable; all you have to do is get used to it. Like driving any other vehicle keep yourself aware of your position on the road and the traffic around you and you won't have any problems.
Rich
I used to drive a microwave delivery Ford Econoline van for NAPA in South River NJ when I first got out of high school. Makes you get real familiar with side mirrors only for rear view. (even though they had an interior rear view mirror hanging from the inside)
I drove a 37 foot box truck, flat towing a vehicle behind it, from NJ to CA in 1982. That's a miserable experience.
Seriously, driving a split window is no different than driving any other midyear car. If someone is soooo intent on looking out the rear window there is some problem going on other than a vision obstruction. Yes, the obstruction is there. It is not insurmountable; all you have to do is get used to it. Like driving any other vehicle keep yourself aware of your position on the road and the traffic around you and you won't have any problems.
Rich
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 989
Likes: 13
From: Gloucester Point VA
Go for it!
I say go for it! 
I've wanted to build a restovette with all my favorite features from all the midyears in one car. Split window, '67 side gills & '67 BB hood. It's your car, do what you want.
Besides it's not as if the visibility out of '64 to '67 coupes is very good anyway.
I've wanted to build a restovette with all my favorite features from all the midyears in one car. Split window, '67 side gills & '67 BB hood. It's your car, do what you want. Besides it's not as if the visibility out of '64 to '67 coupes is very good anyway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 1,195
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Ray
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,662
Likes: 2,344
From: Lake Minnetonka, Mn
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
It seems as though the idea of not recommending a center divider is premised on the lack of visibility and the need to stay away from the local gendarme. This being a resto (I assume mod or restored car), one has to ask the question: how many miles is he really putting on this car in a given year? It might make the whole issue of visibility moot (for him and anyone else driving less than 1,000 miles a year).
Last edited by Dan Hampton; May 17, 2010 at 10:46 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,049
Likes: 134
From: St. Clair Shores MI
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
2017 C2 of the Year Finalist
Franco: And now my friend, the first-a rule of Italian driving.
[Franco rips off his rear-view mirror and throws it out of the car]
Franco: What's-a behind me is not important.
[Franco rips off his rear-view mirror and throws it out of the car]
Franco: What's-a behind me is not important.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 61
I've considered doing this to a relatively inexpensive '64 coupe many times over the years. Getting rid of the stainless A-pillars and shiny hood inserts would make the '64 look like a mildy customized '63, IMO. Plus you'd enjoy the nicer interior, fewer rattles, etc. of the second-year production.
Thanks to previous posters for the suggestion to buy the complete roof section from a totaled '63. You could save your '64 piece for subsequent owners, like many save their original engines, drum brakes, hoods, etc..
Thanks to previous posters for the suggestion to buy the complete roof section from a totaled '63. You could save your '64 piece for subsequent owners, like many save their original engines, drum brakes, hoods, etc..
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
From: Simi Valley California
I might be prejudice but the styling is worth the post down the center of view. Most everyone in the public is fondly aware of what a 1963 corvette is, “Oh, you have a split window 63”.
If looking for good visibility, this might be the solution.
