wierd request - removable rear window

[billybob]

wierd request

All, yes this has been done many times but this has a twist.

And yes I have seen the corvettefaq and forum but this is a special request.

Rear window conversion.

I have already purchased the brakets, top latches, covers and other misc hardware. What I was not able to buy I had fab'd at the machine and glass shop including window, metal window trim, mounting spikes.

But after finally gathering enough information about required parts to do a rear window conversion I'm still lacking good information and pictures of 1 part. :crazy

The rear window storage tray still baffles me, I understand the back connections and what I believe to be a hinge(s) but what eludes me is the locking mechanism that holds the tray and window up in place.

As I will be pretty much fabricating this whole unit out of lightweight aluminum I would like to get as close to something that closely resembles stock in shape and size.

If and of you guys/gals with a pop out rear window vette have the hanger I would greatly appreciate photos and measurements if possible and details of the locking mech.

Measurments looking for are thickness, depth, width.

Once I have a rough idea I'll fab out of Glass, cut to fit, then off to the machine shop and mill it.

Thanks

Bill

 

[cruzer99]

Bill,
I have a 82 Collector Edition and would be glad to take pictures of my rear window if that is what you need. We can do it off the forum so we don't clutter it up.
1. For the 82 Vette the window is held open with struts (I think they are spring loaded), and there is no tray that lifts with the window. There is a curtain that pulls out and covers the rear storage area.

 

[billybob]

cruzer82,

Thanks for the offer but the intrest is the 70-72 model. I think those were closer, according to some of the vague pictures I've seen it appears to be made of metal that when you take the rear out you drop it in the tray which latches up to the body (I think)??

Is yours similar to this?

Bill

 

[cruzer99]

The 82 has two pins near the outside corners that are tapered and latch and lock into a mating part much like a door when the window is closed.
The offer for pictures is always there.

 

[jim coulter]

How soon do you need it? I've got a 71 with removable rear glass. I'm presently working on it (really just thinking about working on it- too much to work on at work) If you dont need it really fast, I'll look at mine this week-end. Might be I could remove it and send it to you, if you'll be sure and send it back in a couple of weeks. Car wont be running till then anyway.

 

[billybob]

WOW thats why I love this forum

Cruzer if you want you can find my email on my profile, a couple of other idea might not hurt

Jim as tempting as that offer sounds I have a feeling that if my research is correct you will find it pop-riveted to the back (towards the gas tank) of the car and I dont want to see any vette violence around here. :nono

Pictures would be fine (self control increasing :gap ) and if ya gots a tape measure .

If this all works out I plan on documenting this all into something more tangable then what I have collected thus far.

Who knows someone may offer it as a kit one day.

is the best

Bill

 

[jim coulter]

I dont have a digital camera, but my sister does, so I'll check on borrowing hers. If not I'll get one somewhere and take some pictures.

 

[billybob]

Sounds great Jim, I will wait in anticipation

Thanks

Bill

 

[jim coulter]

My boss has a digiotal camera he said I can borrow tomorrow, so I'll try to get those pictures tomorrow night when I get home. He said he can download it to disc, or can send it to whomever I need. I'll check your e-mail address and send it to you if thats o.k. So tell me again, exactly what shots you want, and what measurements

 

[billybob]

Jim this is what I'm looking for

The hanger/tray that the window sits in when you take it out and of the locking mech once the window is in the tray and stored.

Measurments looking for are thickness, depth, width of the tray.

Thanks

Bill

 

[jim coulter]

O.K. Got it

 

[Mciamp99]

The clip that holds the rear window compartment up is dead center under the middle of the window. The compartment comes right up to the molding and latches. The compartment should have a push button, like the compartments on the floor. I am not sure if it is riveted or not, but If I have a chance I will check out my 72 later today.

It is the best feature. I do have a spare frame for the glass if you need one. I have no use for it and dont anticipate any use for it.

Do you have the compartment? If not I saw one at Carlisle that a guy local to me had and wanted $125. If this interests you let me now and I will try and track him down

 

[billybob]

Mciamp99,


Thats the kind of information that I was lacking, well that and pictures to back it up

As for the frame thanks for the offer but I had the glass custom cut and had them put on a nice metal frame for me, not chrome but highly polished, cost me 65$ US just for the glass but its about the same thickness as the side windows and tempered to boot.

I am currently missing the compartment which is what I plan on manufacturing, assuming I can get some pictures and measurements of it. I appreciate the offer of the pickup but I think at this point I'm going the route of making the bad boy.

Buying at this point is the last resort, as they are hard to find if not impossible and when you find them, the cost is just crazy.

Bill

 

[jim coulter]

I took the pictures tonight, my boss will put them on disc tomorrow. Also, do you have a mailing address I can send the sketches and measurements to (unless I can remember how this scanner works. scan something for e-bay once, took me hours to figure it out, but haven't done it for quite some time)

 

[billybob]

Jim, excellent.. If you cant figure out your scanner PM me and we'll talk

Bill

 

[jim coulter]

I scanned it to floppy, I'll take it to work tomorrow so my boss can copy it along with the pictures. I still have a couple of items to draw but it will be tomorrow before I can do it. The latch on mine isn't like the buttons on the cargo doors, instead its a flat shaped metal piece (kind of weird shaped) with a handle that says" back window storage" There is also a piece at the rear of the tray that holds the glass, I got a picture, but haven't made a sketch yet. Also I got pictures of the hinge in the rear, but haven't sketched it with the dimensions yet. Hopefully will get all that by tomorrow night.

 

[billybob]

I was going to just email the thanks etc but figured I would share with the community,

Jim did an amazing job, he pulled his tray from the car, took a ton of pictures and the real shocker was the fact that he did a hand drawn version of the tray with all the measurements I'm just so damn impressed with the quality. :gap

At this point it will be no effort to get it machined.

Damn I love this place.

Bill