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Removable rear window conversion for 1976 Corvette
GM discontinued the removable rear window from the coupe after it was standard from 68-72..
I've heard that some Forum members have converted their C3 to have a removable window.
I have a 1976 Corvette... wondered how difficult it is to make it removable.
Any advice on how to do that conversion and whether you can do it and use the existing rear window?
Is there a conversion kit?
What holds the removable window in place?
Will this disable the rear defog capability?
There are numerous posts about it. They are on many forums and blogs.
I did a 73 about 20 years ago with a friend.
The problem will be if the rear deck is not straight and flat.
If the car is painted and the condition of the paint is good , just remember you may have to do some glass work to straighten out the rear lips to seal the window.
I remember his car actually being pretty good and I did minimum glass work. His car was in Primer when we did it.
I considered doing this on my 77,.......two things came to mind. First.....how does having the rear window out, with T-tops on...or off, change the aerodynamics. I have seen convertibles with peoples hair flying FORWARD....going down the road. I would want to know that the actual reality of having the rear window out would do with the airflow, and make sure its not annoying. Secondly.....if you remove it, you have to put it somewhere,...and the factory "tray" coiuld be noisy, shaking around...and at a minimum,....takes up more space in the very little baggage area....especially with the T-tops stowed back there. I know these are not cross country machines for mose people....but they are for me. I can go from PA to California on a Harley......with all the baggage space I need,....but I have a wife. Enough said.
I did it in my 76. Defog will go away. Everything is avail aftermarket except alum. window frame. I found mine on E Bay. All the mounting points are there when you remove interior parts. Stock glass will not fit alum frame. It has pins on the bottom an latches on top.It easily lays across rear compartment when out.
I considered doing this on my 77,.......two things came to mind. First.....how does having the rear window out, with T-tops on...or off, change the aerodynamics. I have seen convertibles with peoples hair flying FORWARD....going down the road. I would want to know that the actual reality of having the rear window out would do with the airflow, and make sure its not annoying. Secondly.....if you remove it, you have to put it somewhere,...and the factory "tray" coiuld be noisy, shaking around...and at a minimum,....takes up more space in the very little baggage area....especially with the T-tops stowed back there. I know these are not cross country machines for mose people....but they are for me. I can go from PA to California on a Harley......with all the baggage space I need,....but I have a wife. Enough said.
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I drove my 71 for a long time with the rear window out. I liked keeping the T tops on due to traffic here. The wind goes through the car and out the rear window. My wife likes the feel of the open car and the T tops blocking the sun in traffic. If you put in the window carrier you loose about 2 inches at most from the top of the compartment.
Once I put in the Vintage Air and passed 70, I tend to use the vintage air a lot. On a cool day we will pop the window and go.
I considered doing this on my 77,.......two things came to mind. First.....how does having the rear window out, with T-tops on...or off, change the aerodynamics. I have seen convertibles with peoples hair flying FORWARD....going down the road. I would want to know that the actual reality of having the rear window out would do with the airflow, and make sure its not annoying. Secondly.....if you remove it, you have to put it somewhere,...and the factory "tray" coiuld be noisy, shaking around...and at a minimum,....takes up more space in the very little baggage area....especially with the T-tops stowed back there. I know these are not cross country machines for mose people....but they are for me. I can go from PA to California on a Harley......with all the baggage space I need,....but I have a wife. Enough said.
With this.
Converted my 77 years ago.
I was looking forward to being in a wind tunnel with the rear glass out in my 77 but It was dead air. With the door glass down, rear glass out and t tops on I got no breeze.
Removed everything and put the permanent glass back and sold it here.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I did it on my '76 by finding an earlier year donor car. All I had to source was the halo trim panel that had a notch in it for the latches. I found those on eBay. after doing all of that I took the glass out once and have never taken it out again. When my wife used to ride with me her hair would blow forward in her face. I was hoping having the back glass out would let it blow through and not blow her hair forward. I did not really notice much difference so I just left it in after that.
This has been an interesting thread. I have thought about this modification for my 77 on and off over the years. But there always seems to be something more pressing to spend my money on just keeping her going and maintained.
After reading all of this. Fibreglass and paint work I must admit I didn't know about before. And a couple people claiming it's just not all that great anyway. I think I'll just leave mine alone.
From: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I did the conversion on my 1976 a few years ago. No fiberglass work around the window required. You need rear window and frame, halo panels, latches and a new window seal. You could also the stock window storage tray, but I opted not to because I'd have had to drill holes in the rear bulkhead for the hinges. Also, the early package trays are deeper than the later ones because they moved the rear bulkhead forward on later Corvettes from what I've read. I opted to use a 5:11 AR 15 tactical case to store my removable rear window in as opposed to letting move around back there unprotected.
The project wasn't hard but it wasn't really easy. Took me a couple weeks overall but I'm and old man and don't make any quick decisions. I sure didn't want to eff up a nice car because I was in a hurry! LOL!
I also heard that taking the rear window out with the T-tops out made less turbulence than with the rear window in. In my experience, that is not true. I've almost lost my hat a few times....LOL!
Still, having both the T-tops and the rear window out take me back to the day when we were in my cousin's 1969 all black, 427 4 speed Corvette with full Hooker chrome header/side pipes and an L-88 Hood.....driving around town....except mine lacks the big *****.
I also bought a set of AM Tops (foldable canvas tops) so I have a bit more room than when I brought the full size T-tops with me!
Here are a few sites I read before doing my conversion:
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Winner -- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I have had it on my '74 since 1987, I does not help on the wind turbulence in the cockpit at all. It does not require any modifications to install one, the most expensive part (for me) were upper headliner panels that cover the handles
I never have my tops on or the back window in unless its being parked outside for the night or its pouring rain,
But the nice part about the rear window being out is the stereo exhaust sounds (no side pipes) you hear from the back while driving plus its one less window to keep clean
I'm glad I found this thread. I was able to get a rear window, latches and trim panels from a donor car for not much money. My 76's window was loose and rattling so I took it out. I drove it for about a year with no back glass and liked it so I wanted to go back with the removable option. This has been helpful. I'll order a seal and get busy.
Removable rear window conversion for 1976 Corvette
plus its one less window to keep clean
