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A friend of mines just bought a 4 door. He asked me how come the rear door glass doesn't roll down. I told him they should. I looked at the car yesterday and the windows doesn't roll down, just the little wing glass rolls out. I never knew this, but then again I never owned a sedan before. My question is what year did Oldsmobile start this or was it only certain models?
My question is what year did Oldsmobile start this or was it only certain models?
I believe around 1978.
Those of us well versed in malaise era and post malaise eras shortcomings are not surprised. 1964-1972 guys essentially just about write off everything afterwards so that you minimize disappointment.
Whoever wrote that curbsideclassic article about the room in a G-body is apparently a far overweight huge bastage, if I were to guess. The more-door late A and G-body Cutlass, et al, has always been rather cushy and roomy which was on par or better in comparison to similar year car offerings of other brands. And especially to today's sedans. Or what's left of them. I'd rather sit in a plushy Cutlass seat for a 10 hour trip than the CT5-V's firm leather seats. I've done both and technology advancements are wonderful in the Cadillac but the stiffer ride is more the tires/suspensions's fault than the seats.
Yes. 1978 was the year the 4 door rear windows were fixed. Gas mileage and emissions were the rules of the day in the 80s, and that's the way it was. Didn't like it? Too bad. You had to wait nearly another 10 years before power across the board caught up with the emissions/mileage craze by the automakers.
I never understood the reasoning behind no rolldown rear windows. Maybe they thought weight savings was more appealing than the kids' comfort? C60 A/C was NOT a required option for several years on, say, a 1985 4-door 3.8L for instance (except for 2.41 gear option). If you opted for a 307 with extra capacity or HD cooling or if it was California-bound, or 3.8L with 2.41 gears, then C60 was required. But these were only certain years. And don't forget the wagons....they no have rolldown rear windows either.
IDGAF, for one. Every 80s Cutlass I've ever owned were 2 doors, and all of those have fixed side sail panel windows. So my heart bleeds for the 4-door owners. Get used to it.
I think it was a safety thing. I seem to remember the big thing back then was kids rolling down the windows then falling or climbing out. When the back windows finally started going down again, it was only half way. Even today, on my '22 Charger the back windows leave about 2 or 3 inches unretracted. All that's going to do is leave broken glass everywhere if something really wants to get out.
On cars with power windows, the rear vent window was power swivel.
It was weight and money and nothing else. Parent could put on the locks and keep kids from running the windows down. It was more about money than anything.
Along the same lines of cheap- there are no door switches in the rear doors of my Jetstar. The dome light only comes on when the front doors open. The trunk light only works with the headlights on aswell. Buuuuutttttt all the damn windows roll down!
Sometimes, due to rear wheel housing intrusion, the glass cannot fully drop.
I am convince the absolute best were 68 and earlier hardtop AC cars. The hardtop lack of window frame, the vent window function, and AC was all great to have. I own two A bodies with AC from 72 that I did the "put a vented kick panel in the driver's side on an AC car" and it really makes a difference for the driver (as I am usually by myself). It fits, not so on the passenger side. Will not do it on my 68 H/O. May do it on my 67 442. That would be nice with the vent window for vent, then button everything up and turn on the AC.
