Removable Rear Window
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Not difficult...but can be expensive. You will need the rear glass & frame which is not reproduced and can be hard to find in good shape. Latches, (uppper roof) receivers, (lower window frame) and rear roof panels that are notched for the latches. The glass weatherstripping aslo must be changed. Many here have done it, and I've heard the holes for the latches are already in the roof frame on some cars. Not hard to drill if they are not. If you want the rear window tray to carry your glass, they too can be expensive and hard to find in good shape.
Good Luck
Eddie
Good Luck
Eddie
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Morton Grove Il
Rear window
I did it to my 73. It took less than 1 day to complete. I bought the window off of Fleabay for $85. I bought the laches from Fleabay for $35
I was replacing all of the weatherstriping anyway so I bought a 72 gasket from Zip. The holes for the bottom tabs are in you car, and the place to mount the latches are up under the headliner panels. The only glitch was the window gasket is too big. I started at one corner and glued the gasket to the bottom and sides. I cut the gasket at the top in the middle so there would be no leaks at the bottom. Best $100 I have spent. The window does not leak at all. The window only goes back in for winter storage. I have it out most of the summer (unless I get caught in he rain). If you can find all of the parts DO IT. I saved the original as the next owner may want to return it to stock.
I was replacing all of the weatherstriping anyway so I bought a 72 gasket from Zip. The holes for the bottom tabs are in you car, and the place to mount the latches are up under the headliner panels. The only glitch was the window gasket is too big. I started at one corner and glued the gasket to the bottom and sides. I cut the gasket at the top in the middle so there would be no leaks at the bottom. Best $100 I have spent. The window does not leak at all. The window only goes back in for winter storage. I have it out most of the summer (unless I get caught in he rain). If you can find all of the parts DO IT. I saved the original as the next owner may want to return it to stock.
Last edited by Niart01; Mar 16, 2007 at 08:48 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
I did it to my 73. It took less than 1 day to complete. I bought the window off of Fleabay for $85. I bought the laches from Fleabay for $35
I was replacing all of the weatherstriping anyway so I bought a 72 gasket from Zip. The holes for the bottom tabs are in you car, and the place to mount the latches are up under the headliner panels. The only glitch was the window gasket is too big. I started at one corner and glued the gasket to the bottom and sides. I cut the gasket at the top in the middle so there would be no leaks at the bottom. Best $100 I have spent. The window does not leak at all. The window only goes back in for winter storage. I have it out most of the summer (unless I get caught in he rain). If you can find all of the parts DO IT. I saved the original as the next owner may want to return it to stock.
I was replacing all of the weatherstriping anyway so I bought a 72 gasket from Zip. The holes for the bottom tabs are in you car, and the place to mount the latches are up under the headliner panels. The only glitch was the window gasket is too big. I started at one corner and glued the gasket to the bottom and sides. I cut the gasket at the top in the middle so there would be no leaks at the bottom. Best $100 I have spent. The window does not leak at all. The window only goes back in for winter storage. I have it out most of the summer (unless I get caught in he rain). If you can find all of the parts DO IT. I saved the original as the next owner may want to return it to stock.
Did it to my 73 The part that takes the longest it securing the weatherstrip.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Could probably be done, but would be very expensive. Rear quarters changed in '78 to accomodate the big back window, including frame changes and changes to the location of the fuel tank. You'd be looking at retrofitting 68-77 rear quarters to an '81, in addition to obtaining the pop out window and all the associated hardware. You'd also be losing a heckuva lot of rear storage space and most of your rearward visibility. You'd need exterior paint.
IMHO -- not worth it. Keep the big back glass in the '81.
IMHO -- not worth it. Keep the big back glass in the '81.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
It was SUPPOSEDLY done because driving with the window out caused too much noise and cabin turbulence. I'm sure the real reason was because it was much cheaper to just glue in a flat piece of glass.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The bean counters saved a few $ by eliminating the frame, latches and tray. Noise? - not much more than what you would hear with the glass in place. Turbulence? - I didn't go much over 50 last summer during the shakedown runs of the 72 but there wasn't any objectionable or even really noticeable turbulence with the tops off and the window out. 
Rick B.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
