Rear Window Difference
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Rear Window Difference
Newbie here. I posted an intro in the new member forums. I was curious about the rear window in a 1977 Vette. I have seen some pics where the rear window is flat, set in the rear fairing. The Vette I am restoring has a wrap around rear window. What is the difference? The Vette was originally an L82 C3 Vette.
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
68-77 & 78-82
Yes 77 was last year for the flat window. During the period it was common for some to change to the 78- window on earlier models to look like the newer ones.
The interior was also redone in 78.
Yes 77 was last year for the flat window. During the period it was common for some to change to the 78- window on earlier models to look like the newer ones.
The interior was also redone in 78.
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From: Southbound
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Welcome, Preston. Purchase a copy of any of the Corvette anthology/history books. Almost all of them provide good information concerning the differences between the various Corvette generations and the model year changes within a generation.
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OK. Going to try and get the vin. The title says 1977, but it has the curved back glass. Looks like it would be an act of congress to change it from the flat back glass to the curved just to update the look. I dunno....will get the vin soon!
Team Owner
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Preston,
I agree wth you that it's a serious piece of work to change a 77 rear window into a 78 rear window. Did people actually do that very often? Are you sure you're working on a 77?
Regards,
Alan
I agree wth you that it's a serious piece of work to change a 77 rear window into a 78 rear window. Did people actually do that very often? Are you sure you're working on a 77?
Regards,
Alan
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Lincoln CA
That change you speak of sure wasn't trivial. Not like just bolting up the new glass. They'ed have to change the whole rear quarter of the car. Was there a kit available?
Last edited by RagTop69; Jul 23, 2009 at 03:46 PM.
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From: Bronx New York
Someone either grafted on a 78-82 rear section or the car has had it's vin/title switched. Does the rest of the car have 1977 parts or 1978-82 parts? What does the interior look like? The dashboards were different, as were the door pannels. Does the vin number on the engine match the car? What is the casting date on the block?
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Correction: it USED to be an L82 Vette. Right now its a complete wreck of all year parts thrown together. 78-82 dash, 79-82 Pace Car style seats with custom upholstery... if the title is a '77, thats about all thats left from 1977. Early motor? 78-79 rear clip. Wow, that car was thrown together from whatever was left laying around at the junk yard if it says '77 on the title and the VIN. Depending on the state, Id expect to see a re-assembled/totalled VIN or salvage title. No trim tag...
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Correction: it USED to be an L82 Vette. Right now its a complete wreck of all year parts thrown together. 78-82 dash, 79-82 Pace Car style seats with custom upholstery... if the title is a '77, thats about all thats left from 1977. Early motor? 78-79 rear clip. Wow, that car was thrown together from whatever was left laying around at the junk yard if it says '77 on the title and the VIN. Depending on the state, Id expect to see a re-assembled/totalled VIN or salvage title. No trim tag...
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From: Bronx New York
I agree with vettebuyer5869, it's a collection of parts. If the parts were assembled with the correct year in mind it wouldn't be much of an issue. With the vin not matching the body style this will be a 'problem child'. Since it's not your car it's really not your problem but, I would tell the owner this car will be a money pit with no chance of recouping any more money than the sum of it's parts.
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From: Southbound
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From: Pitman NJ
But with black trim around the back window, dash board, and the newer style seats it resembles a '79. However, this all could have been changed by somebody over the years.