Convertible Top - Plastic or Glass rear window
March 16th, 2012, 09:07 AM
#1
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Location: Austin, TX
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Convertible Top - Plastic or Glass rear window
Looking for feedback before I make this decision. Currently have a plastic window, but the glass seems like it would have a longer life? What factors am I missing. The new top will be professionally installed, looks like Jim's is the place in Austin.
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March 16th, 2012, 11:48 AM
#10
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Nah, there's usually at least TWO Esso bees in every crowd. Since I can't be the first...
Since the OP seems to have a 68, glass would look nice. But for a '67 A-body car (such as I own), the way the top folds, in order to have a glass back window (if it would even work), you would likey have to have a wide vinyl strip at the bottom that would look awful. As long as you keep the car stored out of sun and don't use any harsh chemicals on it to clean it, plastic CAN hold up a long while.
Since the OP seems to have a 68, glass would look nice. But for a '67 A-body car (such as I own), the way the top folds, in order to have a glass back window (if it would even work), you would likey have to have a wide vinyl strip at the bottom that would look awful. As long as you keep the car stored out of sun and don't use any harsh chemicals on it to clean it, plastic CAN hold up a long while.
March 16th, 2012, 12:22 PM
#13
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March 16th, 2012, 12:29 PM
#14
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Location: Oxford CT
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There is a strip of vinyl at the bottom if it is glass. The original is fullview plastic. I am having the same dilemma deciding what to go with on my 65. I believe either is a zip in and can be replaced without replacing the entire top but you would basically have to undo the rear tack srtrip which is not easy.
March 16th, 2012, 03:24 PM
#15
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Location: Ironton Ohio 45638
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There is one more thing I would consider if I were making this decision.
If you have a plastic rear window you can leave it where it is and lower and raise the top. Can you do the same with a glass rear window?? Or would you need to unlatch the top to give some slack, then get in the back seat, unzip the window, lay it down, then you can put the top down?? The zippers back there are still OLD technology, they need to be treated well, I have seen a lot of the zippers busted. To replace the zipper you must take the back of the top loose and replace the rear "curtain". Replacing a glass rear curtain is pricey. Replacing a plastic one is about $200.
The glass looks much better. My question is "Which is actually more practical if you lower the top frequently?" My trim shop says to always store the car with the top raised and latched because if left down it can shrink and be hard or impossible to get latched later.
Just asking.
Mike
If you have a plastic rear window you can leave it where it is and lower and raise the top. Can you do the same with a glass rear window?? Or would you need to unlatch the top to give some slack, then get in the back seat, unzip the window, lay it down, then you can put the top down?? The zippers back there are still OLD technology, they need to be treated well, I have seen a lot of the zippers busted. To replace the zipper you must take the back of the top loose and replace the rear "curtain". Replacing a glass rear curtain is pricey. Replacing a plastic one is about $200.
The glass looks much better. My question is "Which is actually more practical if you lower the top frequently?" My trim shop says to always store the car with the top raised and latched because if left down it can shrink and be hard or impossible to get latched later.
Just asking.
Mike
March 16th, 2012, 03:36 PM
#17
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March 17th, 2012, 08:09 AM
#18
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Location: Forest Ranch Ca.
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For the record, my car is about as much of a fair weather car as it gets but in the summer, top down when it's 110 in the shade you have no shade and you will burn down on a extended ride.My top has to go up and down or it's no fun. With the top up I have **** poor vision even with the larger plastic rear window, this could be a problem for others also......Tedd
March 17th, 2012, 08:12 AM
#19
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March 19th, 2012, 01:30 PM
#20
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 372
Nah, there's usually at least TWO Esso bees in every crowd. Since I can't be the first...
Since the OP seems to have a 68, glass would look nice. But for a '67 A-body car (such as I own), the way the top folds, in order to have a glass back window (if it would even work), you would likey have to have a wide vinyl strip at the bottom that would look awful. As long as you keep the car stored out of sun and don't use any harsh chemicals on it to clean it, plastic CAN hold up a long while.
Since the OP seems to have a 68, glass would look nice. But for a '67 A-body car (such as I own), the way the top folds, in order to have a glass back window (if it would even work), you would likey have to have a wide vinyl strip at the bottom that would look awful. As long as you keep the car stored out of sun and don't use any harsh chemicals on it to clean it, plastic CAN hold up a long while.
does this look awful????.......
27293366.jpg
glass all the way...anyone who say's otherwise has fishhooks in their pockets!! the extra $$$ is well worth it for the glass window, i get many compliments on it, most people are shocked to see that you can even get convertible tops with glass windows. it's just an extra finishing touch that most people overlook.
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