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My '79/80 has an opening rear hatch. I don't know if it is an original '82CE hatch or aftermarket. At any rate, the installation was not done very well and it doesn't fit right so it leaks. I could probably spend a bunch of time adjusting it, replacing rubber seal and try to get it to fit correctly but I don't really need to have an opening hatch. A fixed window would be fine for me and I've been told the opening hatch is valuable but I have no idea what it is worth.
If it is worth a decent amount of money I'd be happy to sell it and replace with a fixed window. Anyone have aby idea what it might be worth?
Here are some photos including the release handle.
yes. hinge pics. if not orig, they may be a superior way to do it since the orig hinges are ****. but since hatch doesn't line up right, sounds like orig or just as well designed...
i think it has already been verified as not a CE hatch transplanted onto this 79. just wondering if the hinges are 82 CE hinges which are too soft and stretch or something else which may be a better design or may be from home depot. and just cuz they are house hinges-if they are-doesn't mean they are not superior th the CE hinge.
Now, I'm thinking about selling the car to buy a stick shift metal bumper car instead. Do you all think I should sell as is or try to fix fitment? Or try to sell hatch separately and replace with a fixed window?
The 78-82 Corvette rear glass hatch conversion was originally developed in 1978/79 by the t-top and sunroof conversion company, Cars & Concepts. Corvette Chief Engineer Dave McLellan, and GM engineering provided input during the development of the rear glass hatch. Starting in 79, Cars & Concepts offered the hatchback as either a kit to be installed by the buyer, or a completed conversion installed by an authorized Cars & Concepts installer.
I have GM Engineering letters that indicate Chevrolet planned to offer the Cars & Concepts hatch on 81 Corvettes built at Bowling Green, as an option under RPO code Z08. Per a Chevrolet Engineering Center Product Bulletin, the plan to offer the hatch glass option in 81 was cancelled in June 1980, but the hatch eventually became part of the 1982 Collector Edition package.
The Cars & Concepts conversion kit is basically the same hatchback as was installed by Chevrolet in the Collector Editions. Some of the parts for the hatchback are available, such as the release handle/cable assembly, the hinge covers, strikers/latches and the weatherstrip, though they are a little pricey. Hinges are not available and as has been said, the original ones were weak, so if you have a set that's not broken or "stretched" to bad, they are definitely valuable. The rear hatch glass has not been made in many years and good usable ones regularly sell for $2000 and up. The date on the glass could enhance it's value, since anyone needing a hatch for an 82 CE would prefer one dated roughly between August/September 81 (just before 82 production began) and October 82, when 82 production ended.
If you remove your rear hatch, be really careful with that piece of glass. It's rare and valuable enough that I'd hate to see it get broken.
Here's my $.02: HIre an auto glass outfit to remove the rear glass and install a fixed piece.
Remove all the other hardware yourself and sell the car & glass separately since its already a 79/80 blend.......... but then again someone might pay more for a "light custom" with this unique option.
Also, there were no "aftermarket kits" they ALL came from C&C like gbvette posted. only the CE kits were OEM installed.
The 78-82 Corvette rear glass hatch conversion was originally developed in 1978/79 by the t-top and sunroof conversion company, Cars & Concepts. Corvette Chief Engineer Dave McLellan, and GM engineering provided input during the development of the rear glass hatch. Starting in 79, Cars & Concepts offered the hatchback as either a kit to be installed by the buyer, or a completed conversion installed by an authorized Cars & Concepts installer.
I have GM Engineering letters that indicate Chevrolet planned to offer the Cars & Concepts hatch on 81 Corvettes built at Bowling Green, as an option under RPO code Z08. Per a Chevrolet Engineering Center Product Bulletin, the plan to offer the hatch glass option in 81 was cancelled in June 1980, but the hatch eventually became part of the 1982 Collector Edition package.
The Cars & Concepts conversion kit is basically the same hatchback as was installed by Chevrolet in the Collector Editions. Some of the parts for the hatchback are available, such as the release handle/cable assembly, the hinge covers, strikers/latches and the weatherstrip, though they are a little pricey. Hinges are not available and as has been said, the original ones were weak, so if you have a set that's not broken or "stretched" to bad, they are definitely valuable. The rear hatch glass has not been made in many years and good usable ones regularly sell for $2000 and up. The date on the glass could enhance it's value, since anyone needing a hatch for an 82 CE would prefer one dated roughly between August/September 81 (just before 82 production began) and October 82, when 82 production ended.
If you remove your rear hatch, be really careful with that piece of glass. It's rare and valuable enough that I'd hate to see it get broken.
Thanks for the info! Here is the stamp on the window. It says 81 but don't know what indicates the month.
Here are hinges:
If this stuff is worth over $2K I'd gladly sell it all and just have a fixed window. Any idea how much the fixed glass costs? I guess I'd just need the glass and stainless trim? Any other parts?
The date on the glass is the "TA", not the M81. I'm watching the grandkids right now, but I can check the codes when I get home later.
To replace it you'll need a used rear window that probably will cost you $200-$300 (new ones aren't available), the outer moldings for another $150-$200, and used inside moldings which are pretty cheap. I probably have all of it, relatively cheap, but the freight to NV would be a killer.
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Those hinges look OE, but the install/holes look BUBBA IMO, not by a professional shop. Either way, it may be a gem to keep or sell. A vette wrecking yard would be a good bet on the fixed rear glass as mentioned. GL
Those hinges look OE, but the install/holes look BUBBA IMO, not by a professional shop. Either way, it may be a gem to keep or sell. A vette wrecking yard would be a good bet on the fixed rear glass as mentioned. GL
I second Bucaneer on the hinges. They look just like mine. I decided a while back that if something ever happened to my rear glass, I was just going to back with a standard glass. No way I could pay thousands of bucks for a piece of glass unless it came from the Sistine Chapel.
'82CE Rear Hatch Value?
