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Working on the interior in my '68 coupe again and need a good photo of the rear window area without the window installed. I just need to see what kind of parts and trim go in that area and what they look like. I have the weatherstrip. the lower trim bar and the over head piece that goes behind the T-tops. Not sure what else I may be missing.
I don`t know if this will help you any... this is our 71. I don`t think there`s anything else besides the lower trim, roof panels, and rear quarter panels.... and the weatherstrip. It sounds to me like you`re not missing anything.
Thanks a bunch guys, that is helpful. I was thinking there must be some extra trim or molding to help retain the weatherstrip in there on the sides or somewhere but I guess I had higher expectations than is reality. I assume there is an adhesive holding the weatherstrip in?
William, As far as I know, all 68's do not have the two end screws on the lower interior trim on the ends. I hope that you have the small upper metal trim pieces that cover up the window latches. Also 68 latches have a rectangular shaped latch handle, and the latch body has the holes in slightly different locations. The rectangular handles can snap off, and GM changed them. I put new handles and the lever mechanism into my old 68 bodies to make them fit. Do not throw away your old ones!!!
If I remember correctly, the 68 latches have four screws holding them. GM dropped the two smaller end screws and removed the metal tab that held them to the roof, in the rear. Lou.
The back window weatherstrip has two small screws helping to hold it up at the two upper corners. Use electrical tape to hold it up, while the glue dries overnight. I think that I popped the window in to help hold it while it dries. Lou.
William, As far as I know, all 68's do not have the two end screws on the lower interior trim on the ends. I hope that you have the small upper metal trim pieces that cover up the window latches. Also 68 latches have a rectangular shaped latch handle, and the latch body has the holes in slightly different locations. The rectangular handles can snap off, and GM changed them. I put new handles and the lever mechanism into my old 68 bodies to make them fit. Do not throw away your old ones!!!
If I remember correctly, the 68 latches have four screws holding them. GM dropped the two smaller end screws and removed the metal tab that held them to the roof, in the rear. Lou.
By upper metal trim pieces I assume you mean this one that goes around the window latch.
Yes, and that is the second design latch that does not have the tab on the end for the two screws. I think that the two screws are the same ones that hold that metal cover, but I can't remember for sure. I am also not sure, but I think that the 68 version of the metal trim is somehow different. Lou.
I like the 68's, but why so many one off parts and design changes?
Probably because it was the first of the brand new body style.... and many things were changed / tweaked / improved as the following year models evolved?
It is quite obvious that GM rushed the car into production, even though it was suppose to come out in 1967. The problems with making the car have a one piece "targa" roof delayed the launch until 1968 and no production coupes were made until the end of December.
This is the reason that only 1/3 of 68's are coupes, NOT because people didn't want them. Many people gave up waiting and ordered a convertible instead.
This is not what the new, dumb automotive car magazine writers say. They say that no one wanted the new "convertible-coupe".
Perhaps another reason is that Zora Duntov was removed from Corvette supervision, due to being hospitalized for a long time, due to an accident, I think and GM tried to make the car like a regular car.
I still can't understand why the 68's did not get the 350, like the Camaro did, a year earlier.
If anyone has read my thread "A long time chrome bumper owner speaks", one of the stories is about a young die maker at my work, telling me that the telescopic steering wheel came off of their new 1968 convertible, while his wife was driving it! Needless to say, they traded the car in right away. Lou.
Well as I progressed a bit further I realize that the latch in my photo above is not actually correct for my 68. I found one of my old ones which is shown in this photo. The replacement ones I ended up with are not only different in handle shape but the hole spacing is slightly different also. So it looks like I will be modifying my replacements to work since finding originals in good shape is not a financially sensible option for my "not totally correct" restoration. Yet another example of the 68 uniqueness as has been so accurately pointed out. If I can find my other original I may try and clean them up to see how good I can make them look. Of course replate is always an option to. (Note: there is a really nice original set for sale on the you know where. $400. Refer to my previous comment regarding "not financially sensible").
as much as it isn't correct, just about every 68 part you change to a later part is an upgrade. which is why there seem to be so many 69-up parts on 68's.
Like I stated above, The original 68 rectangular shaped back window handles can snap off. There is a lot of pressure involved when using them to secure the window.
Also the first design 68 inside door release handle is solid on the inside and feels like what a real handle should feel like. I had the second design which is hollow on the inside and mine snapped off on the driver side. GM then came out with a third design that has two ribs molded on the inside for added strength. Lou.
Hi,
I think the lock tabs needed to be re-enforced as time went on because people were trying to stop the rear window from leaking by making the frame to rubber gasket seal tighter and tighter.
I remember snapping off one of the lower 'pegs' while trying to set the upper lock because I'd set the 'peg' to make the seal so tight.
I clearly remember the right corner of the window dripping right into the jack compartment.
Regards,
Alan
Updating a request to this old post. Now I need a pic of what the rear window latches look like installed. In the photo above that Oldgto was kind enough to provide I can see the latch but I need a different angle and closer view so I can see the exact orientation of that latch. The photos that Alan put in are not showing up. All I get is some msg regarding "3rd Party Hosting"...which I have no idea what that even means. And that is disappointing because I know from experience that Alan's pics are some of the best on the web.
Hi 68,
Originally my photos were at photobucket (and several other places) until pb decided to begin charging $399 per year for '3rd party hosting'. They're now holding many, many, people's photos hostage until they pay the $399.
Here are a couple of latch photos. I don't know what detail you might be looking for.
Okay, I'm done with the storage door assy for now and moving back up to this window latch install. I assume the order of installation would be latch....head liner.....bezel? BTW here is how the storage deal turned out, just waiting for the rubber bumpers to level 'em up....
Rear window want fit latches ok I replaced the glass & used old window trim
Originally Posted by loup68
William, As far as I know, all 68's do not have the two end screws on the lower interior trim on the ends. I hope that you have the small upper metal trim pieces that cover up the window latches. Also 68 latches have a rectangular shaped latch handle, and the latch body has the holes in slightly different locations. The rectangular handles can snap off, and GM changed them. I put new handles and the lever mechanism into my old 68 bodies to make them fit. Do not throw away your old ones!!!
If I remember correctly, the 68 latches have four screws holding them. GM dropped the two smaller end screws and removed the metal tab that held them to the roof, in the rear. Lou.
replaced glass in old trim want fit in my car frames
Photo Needed
