rear hatch open
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
rear hatch open
will a 82 vette opening hatch assembly mount into a 79 or is a pina not worth dealing with? I want to have the rear hatch open an I am wondering if there is a fairly in expensive an non complex way of doing it?
i saw a feew of the old cars and concept kits but missed my ebay bids on them i assume b/c they are the only ones i can find info on that did the kit that there is a major difference in the 79-82 rear glass but is that so or........?
i saw a feew of the old cars and concept kits but missed my ebay bids on them i assume b/c they are the only ones i can find info on that did the kit that there is a major difference in the 79-82 rear glass but is that so or........?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Yes. You can install the CE hatch on any 78-82 big back window car. Purchase the 82 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and take a look at the factory installation. Your swap will install the same way.
Your biggest problem will be lining up the correct factory parts. Good hinges are extremely hard to find.
Your existing rear window and trim probably have value for someone looking for them.
Good luck.
Your biggest problem will be lining up the correct factory parts. Good hinges are extremely hard to find.
Your existing rear window and trim probably have value for someone looking for them.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
I remeber a thread about this several months ago but couldn't find it. I know several people said that the kits sold were notorious for leaking. Is this the case for the 82 vettes as well did they frequently leak when they were new cars? Is this project really not worth doing I thought for sure that several other late c3 guys would chime in with their thoughts an for sure someone on this forum has done it right? For me I love my car an font want to sell it to start a new 82 rebuild. On my budget anything I would buy is gonna be the same condition as my current car not bad but needing lots of work so why get rid of my car. I just love the car having an opening hatch
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
A friend and fellow Corvette club member had a CE; he had no leak problems.
All Corvettes had to pass a water leak test on the assembly line. If leaks were detected, the car went back for leak repair.
AIMs have a page describing the leak test and the water spray booth.
All Corvettes had to pass a water leak test on the assembly line. If leaks were detected, the car went back for leak repair.
AIMs have a page describing the leak test and the water spray booth.
