I always thought vent windows were only on post cars. This beautiful 68 shows that I'm wrong. Did this change from 68 to 69 and beyond, or could you get vent windows on either a post or hard top?

 

I believe vent windows on olds cutlass 442 were not discontinued until 1969..every 68 I believe had them..other folks on here much more knowledgable may reply

 

I think you are right. 69 was a transition year. Same for all GM A body's. Chevelle's Goat's etc. Honestly I love the air flow of vent windows.

 

Unfortunately you thought wrong. Vent windows were used on every car Olds made in the 1968 and earlier model years. 1969 was the first year that Holiday Coupes and Convertibles got upper level ventilation to replace the vent windows (likely at a savings in production costs to avoid having to adjust the vent windows on the assembly line). In fact, in 1969, even Holiday Sedans (4dr hardtops) in the Cutlass line got vent windows. On the other hand, full size Town Sedans (four door post) did not get vent windows.

 

Additionally, the vent windows made through to 1972 on the more door post sedans and sedan hard tops.

 

I personally like vent windows, in my opinion they give better direct to driver airflow control. Maybe thats just because I grew up with vent windows..who knows

 

they survived a lot longer on pickups and suburbans. 87-90 timeframe

 

I believe they were phased out for road noise and cost reduction, as well as a bit more aerodynamics.

 

Cost reduction, better and easier sealing, and the fact that people were rapidly adopting A/C as a "required" option. In the 1970 model year, A/C installations were 54% of all new cars sold in the US. By 1980 that number was 70%.

https://www.airah.org.au/Content_Fil...008-06-F02.pdf

 

My 69 442 drop doesn't have them, My 69 Vista cruiser does FWIW

 

Because the Vista is a post car.