Removable rear window conversion
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 517
Likes: 7
From: Peoria IL
My window is actually loose- falling out but held in by the trim right now. I'm curious about this modification as a removable back window would be awesome.
What is required (besides the bezels) to make this update? If my window is removed undamaged, will I need a different one, or will my window fit a repro aluminum frame?
What is required (besides the bezels) to make this update? If my window is removed undamaged, will I need a different one, or will my window fit a repro aluminum frame?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: windsor ontario
I had to source ebay for the window.The bezels I bought on this site.The rear window latches weatherstripping are available thru variuos corvette houses.Now if you can't find the window I beleive a member managed to use his original window and did some modifications from Lowes to make it work, you would have to look back at old threads. Yes this is very cool and I am looking forward to spring as I doubt that I will ever have it in but I can in case I have to.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,449
Likes: 40
From: Panama City Beach, Florida
I am currently doing this mod, so far window came out easily, just used a utility knife and cut through the sealant, no problem and I'm sure it was the original stuff.
Cleaned up the opening, cleaned up the frame.
And as per usual, now I can not find the weatherstrip, so I'm hunting for. it. Usually for me the only way to find it is to buy another one.
I'll post any other issues,
Frank
Cleaned up the opening, cleaned up the frame.
And as per usual, now I can not find the weatherstrip, so I'm hunting for. it. Usually for me the only way to find it is to buy another one.
I'll post any other issues,
Frank
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: SHERMAN TEXAS
I had to source ebay for the window.The bezels I bought on this site.The rear window latches weatherstripping are available thru variuos corvette houses.Now if you can't find the window I beleive a member managed to use his original window and did some modifications from Lowes to make it work, you would have to look back at old threads. Yes this is very cool and I am looking forward to spring as I doubt that I will ever have it in but I can in case I have to.
Last edited by colin75; Mar 14, 2010 at 04:44 AM. Reason: add pics
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 517
Likes: 7
From: Peoria IL
Cost of removable window conversion (and sources for parts)
It looks to me like this update costs about $820 for all new parts (without the hard-to-find, not reproduced interior bezel):
68-72 Rear window frame $285 PG2038 YearOne
68-72 rear window $142 7727 Paragon
68-72 rear window weatherstrip $34 4264 Paragon
Removable rear window wedge $20 1588 Paragon
68-72 rear window latches $160 0H5410 YearOne
68-72 halo panels with latch recesses/cutouts $142.49 413253 Willcox
68-72 locators for body $10 8195 Paragon
Rear window plastic frame guide $24 QY965 YearOne
Ouch!!!
68-72 Rear window frame $285 PG2038 YearOne
68-72 rear window $142 7727 Paragon
68-72 rear window weatherstrip $34 4264 Paragon
Removable rear window wedge $20 1588 Paragon
68-72 rear window latches $160 0H5410 YearOne
68-72 halo panels with latch recesses/cutouts $142.49 413253 Willcox
68-72 locators for body $10 8195 Paragon
Rear window plastic frame guide $24 QY965 YearOne
Ouch!!!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,449
Likes: 40
From: Panama City Beach, Florida
It looks to me like this update costs about $820 for all new parts (without the hard-to-find, not reproduced interior bezel):
68-72 Rear window frame $285 PG2038 YearOne
68-72 rear window $142 7727 Paragon
68-72 rear window weatherstrip $34 4264 Paragon
Removable rear window wedge $20 1588 Paragon
68-72 rear window latches $160 0H5410 YearOne
68-72 halo panels with latch recesses/cutouts $142.49 413253 Willcox
68-72 locators for body $10 8195 Paragon
Rear window plastic frame guide $24 QY965 YearOne
Ouch!!!
68-72 Rear window frame $285 PG2038 YearOne
68-72 rear window $142 7727 Paragon
68-72 rear window weatherstrip $34 4264 Paragon
Removable rear window wedge $20 1588 Paragon
68-72 rear window latches $160 0H5410 YearOne
68-72 halo panels with latch recesses/cutouts $142.49 413253 Willcox
68-72 locators for body $10 8195 Paragon
Rear window plastic frame guide $24 QY965 YearOne
Ouch!!!
Which interior bezel are you talking about, I'm not familiar with that part ???
You can keep an eye on ebay, there have been complete sets for around $400.
I bought parts here and there and have finally got around to the install. Right now I'm waiting on the weather strip, I thought I had one but can't find it.
Frank
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,449
Likes: 40
From: Panama City Beach, Florida
I then cleaned around it with pre-clean, now waiting on the weatherstrip, hopefully installed over the weekend.
Frank
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,449
Likes: 40
From: Panama City Beach, Florida
It looks to me like this update costs about $820 for all new parts (without the hard-to-find, not reproduced interior bezel):
68-72 Rear window frame $285 PG2038 YearOne
68-72 rear window $142 7727 Paragon
68-72 rear window weatherstrip $34 4264 Paragon
Removable rear window wedge $20 1588 Paragon
68-72 rear window latches $160 0H5410 YearOne
68-72 halo panels with latch recesses/cutouts $142.49 413253 Willcox
68-72 locators for body $10 8195 Paragon
Rear window plastic frame guide $24 QY965 YearOne
Ouch!!!
68-72 Rear window frame $285 PG2038 YearOne
68-72 rear window $142 7727 Paragon
68-72 rear window weatherstrip $34 4264 Paragon
Removable rear window wedge $20 1588 Paragon
68-72 rear window latches $160 0H5410 YearOne
68-72 halo panels with latch recesses/cutouts $142.49 413253 Willcox
68-72 locators for body $10 8195 Paragon
Rear window plastic frame guide $24 QY965 YearOne
Ouch!!!
Here is a link to one that ended, this was a great deal;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...T#ht_500wt_956
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Palm Coast Florida
I won that auction, and you're right, it was a great deal. Everything is in great condition. I just have to clean off the old weather stripping from the window frame and I'm ready to install, however, time to do it is the problem. I'm also installing a Vintage Air Gen IV A/C in my car and that's taking up alot of my spare time.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Muskoka ontario
Of all of the things that I have done on my car in the last 33 years I would rate this on a scale of 1-10. 10 being the hardest I would say it's a " 3 " if you have all of the parts ,than its just a matter of removing the rear window and installing the new parts. All of the holes are already manufactured into the car so alignment is not going to be an issue. The hardest part that I seemed to have ( only because I did not have an extra set of hands ,was installing the new gastet. Other than that everything is just bolt on. I used reproduction latches and they work great , no need to go NOS ,it just adds to the cost , spend the money on a good glass and frame and you won't be sorry.
Hey guys , want to know what was a " 10 " ???? !!!!!
YUP,#4 body mount , a word to the wise keep the ones that you have cleaned out so they don't rot out like mine did. Had I realized what was happening to mine I would have drilled weep hole in them for drainage, mine were packed with mud and salt I never thought to flush them out when washing the car, I DO NOW!!!!
Hey guys , want to know what was a " 10 " ???? !!!!!
YUP,#4 body mount , a word to the wise keep the ones that you have cleaned out so they don't rot out like mine did. Had I realized what was happening to mine I would have drilled weep hole in them for drainage, mine were packed with mud and salt I never thought to flush them out when washing the car, I DO NOW!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
For all the Corvette owners that are installing the removeable rear window feature in their Corvette, there are different halo panels for different years that had this feature.
'68 & '69 halo panels had a cut out that used a metal bezel for a finished look. '70 panels had a built-in stepped ledge in the cut out to give a finished look and used 2 black screws at the rear cut out edge for attachment points. '71 panels had the same style cut out with only 1 screw for attachment point. '72 panels had same style cut out with NO screw used in the cut out area for attachment.
If you use a '68 or '69 halo panel or cut out the latch area in a halo panel NOT made for this feature, you WILL need the metal bezels for a finshed look. The metal bezels were NOT made to be used with '70 , '71 or '72 panels.
'68 & '69 halo panels had a cut out that used a metal bezel for a finished look. '70 panels had a built-in stepped ledge in the cut out to give a finished look and used 2 black screws at the rear cut out edge for attachment points. '71 panels had the same style cut out with only 1 screw for attachment point. '72 panels had same style cut out with NO screw used in the cut out area for attachment.
If you use a '68 or '69 halo panel or cut out the latch area in a halo panel NOT made for this feature, you WILL need the metal bezels for a finshed look. The metal bezels were NOT made to be used with '70 , '71 or '72 panels.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Fresh Meadows New York
rear window
i have all the parts..the plastic guide is on the bottom and the metal guide is on top of it??? it seems the first install is the weatherstrip? then put the window in and put the latches against the frame then drill the holes to mount them? my latches came with quarter 20 screws...correct? what size screws for the guides? shheet metal screws? or machine screws? thanks guys....im sure the chrome frame is gonna look better than the plastic frame... i bet the window will be out all the time...
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 517
Likes: 7
From: Peoria IL
i have all the parts..the plastic guide is on the bottom and the metal guide is on top of it??? it seems the first install is the weatherstrip? then put the window in and put the latches against the frame then drill the holes to mount them? my latches came with quarter 20 screws...correct? what size screws for the guides? shheet metal screws? or machine screws? thanks guys....im sure the chrome frame is gonna look better than the plastic frame... i bet the window will be out all the time...
The upper latches should use 1/4-20 screws. You'll need something to screw them into also, I took some more flat bar stock and drilled/tapped a hole to screw into. J-nuts would work better if you found some with the right length reach, but the ones I got at the hardware store wouldn't work right.
You can install the weatherstrip last, which is a plus since you can put the window in and close the latches to hold the seal in place while the weatherstrip adhesive cures overnight. I left mine in for a few days so that it was good and dry.
I'm sure there are other ways to do it, but this is how I did mine and I'm happy with the results. My window looks much better stowed away in the storage area than the original did in place!