1974 pop out window conversion... worth it?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Charleston South Carolina
1974 pop out window conversion... worth it?
Hello all,
Hope you are having a good start to your week!
Found a cheap pop out window and frame on craigslist and was wondering if the conversion was worth it... I have heard people say it improves airflow in the cabin, etc.
Any advice as to whether I should go through with the purchase and ensuing conversion?
Thanks!
Best regards,
Tyler
Hope you are having a good start to your week!
Found a cheap pop out window and frame on craigslist and was wondering if the conversion was worth it... I have heard people say it improves airflow in the cabin, etc.
Any advice as to whether I should go through with the purchase and ensuing conversion?
Thanks!
Best regards,
Tyler
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: Racine Wisconsin
removable rear window
I like the removable rear window as I usually drive only on sunny days. With the T-Tops in and rear window out, I don't really notice that much increased air flow. It's pretty subtle. I do notice a little more interior noise; mostly from the rear exhaust.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
i have a 72 with the removable window, and i luv it...
usually have the tops off, window out when i go for a drive
just tie a piece of string to your hat.....
it's like having a convertible, but with a roll bar above your head...
usually have the tops off, window out when i go for a drive
just tie a piece of string to your hat.....
it's like having a convertible, but with a roll bar above your head...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you drive the car a lot and usually take the T-tops off...or you want to leave the T-tops on but still get that "wind blowing through your hair" feeling, then the removable rear window is for you. In good weather, I love pulling that window out and driving to car shows/cruise-ins; it really feels like 'driving a Corvette' should feel.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Charleston South Carolina
Thanks for the advice! I have located a window w/ frame for $50 so I figure I'll go ahead with it since it's a great deal - does anybody have any roof panels or other necessary components for a conversion for sale?
I have a saddle interior.
Any advice is greatly appreciated - will I need to do any cutting for guides or anything?
Thanks all!
I have a saddle interior.
Any advice is greatly appreciated - will I need to do any cutting for guides or anything?
Thanks all!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
Its pretty straight forward without too many surprises. When your current interior peices are removed you will see where the hardware goes.I converted my 77 last year to it. In fact the biggest pain was getting the weatherstrip in position. I ended up using some flat wooden paint stirring sticks and some clamps to hold wide areas of the w-s in position. The vette body wasnt changed and still has what is needed back there to mount the hardware at the base and in the roof. Once installed, if you can find a storage tray for it than better yet. The area for the plates to mount the tray hinges to that go behind the fiberglass and in front of the gas tank was not ez to get to because I found out the tank has a metal tray or "shield" around it. I pulled back the carpet a little, cut a small square out of the fiberglass with a whizzer for access and put the metal tab in position and screwed the hinge into it. A little fiberglass work, some spray glue for the carpet and yer good to go. Mine came out of a 72, which had a different latch to keep the tray up into position and locked, compared to the early ones. I had to get a peice of metal, bend it into a little tab and just glass it to the bottom of the deck which worked out fine.
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with John 65. Relatively easy conversion, though I'd recommend getting another set of hands to help install the weatherstrip. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
Thanks for the advice! I have located a window w/ frame for $50 so I figure I'll go ahead with it since it's a great deal - does anybody have any roof panels or other necessary components for a conversion for sale?
I have a saddle interior.
Any advice is greatly appreciated - will I need to do any cutting for guides or anything?
Thanks all!
I have a saddle interior.
Any advice is greatly appreciated - will I need to do any cutting for guides or anything?
Thanks all!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 650
Likes: 1
Do it. It's a lot of fun and worth the effort for the conversion.
I notice that when my rear window is out and the tops are off, the wind turbulence is lessened. More air is moving through the passenger compartment, but it moves through much less obstructed and is less noisy. I have a 70.
Good luck.
I notice that when my rear window is out and the tops are off, the wind turbulence is lessened. More air is moving through the passenger compartment, but it moves through much less obstructed and is less noisy. I have a 70.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Charleston South Carolina
Thanks for all the responses - I picked up the frame and glass today for $50 - lucky find! it's in immaculate shape... better than the window on the vette now!
Just have to track down the hardware - there was some mention of the tray - the hardware is present for that on the body already?
What is all the hardware that I need?
Thanks all - looking forward to this little project!
Just have to track down the hardware - there was some mention of the tray - the hardware is present for that on the body already?
What is all the hardware that I need?
Thanks all - looking forward to this little project!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you have any Corvette car shows in your area, they may have some swap meets with 'odd' parts for sale. You can get some good prices on used parts that way. Otherwise, it would be aftermarket purchases for that stuff, which will be fairly expensive. As least, it's not a difficult conversion.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Fresh Meadows New York
i never went for the tray...some will say the window will bounce around, dunno....i love the pop out window....when the window is in its a nicer look with the chrome instead of the cheap plastic...the weatherstrip is the hardest part, i bought the rubber from Dr. rebuild, and the hinges also...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
Thanks for all the responses - I picked up the frame and glass today for $50 - lucky find! it's in immaculate shape... better than the window on the vette now!
Just have to track down the hardware - there was some mention of the tray - the hardware is present for that on the body already?
What is all the hardware that I need?
Thanks all - looking forward to this little project!
Just have to track down the hardware - there was some mention of the tray - the hardware is present for that on the body already?
What is all the hardware that I need?
Thanks all - looking forward to this little project!
P/N 4264 Weatherstrip - Need 1
P/N 4949 Lock Assembly - Need 2
P/N 6624 Wedge Guide - Need 2
P/N 8195 Locating Wedge Plate - Need 2
If your window doesn't have them, you may also need:
P/N 1588 Wedge - Need 2
I used common screws/nuts for the Wedge Guide and Plate. For the Lock Assemblies, I used j-clip style nuts.
I didn't do the tray either, so I can't comment on that.
Best of luck!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Charleston South Carolina
Looks good Trae - thanks for the info and the pics - Ill get on ordering those parts!
The locks from paragon - is the $55 price tag per lock or a set... I imagine its for one but here's to being hopeful....
The locks from paragon - is the $55 price tag per lock or a set... I imagine its for one but here's to being hopeful....
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
Oh, and several vendors have these parts, I just chose Paragon. That was 2 years ago, somebody else may have a better deal now, I haven't really looked.
Last edited by Trae1976; Apr 16, 2013 at 09:27 PM.