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.

 

Glass.

Plastic clouds up and even when new looks like crap.

- Eric

 

x2

 

Glass will not scratch easily, even after repeated washings. Looks classier, too!

 

x3

 

Thanks for the quick replies. Sounds like an easy call.

 

Probably the only thing you'll find agreement on around here .

 

I disagree

 

There's one in every group, isn't there... ?

- Eric

 

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.

 

I don't know about your year car but on some models the glass is quite small compared to plastic, it becomes a vision issue.I like glass if you can see out of your car.... Tedd

 

I don't know about your year car but on some models the glass is quite small compared to plastic, it becomes a vision issue.I like glass if you can see out of your car.... Tedd

 

For one thing you are not supposed to drive a convertible with the top UP...
The top is just a dust cover / umbrella.

 

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.

 

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

 

The shrinking if not left up is true. i had mine down for a couple years and then it would not latch. So keep it up when stored and drop it when in use.

 

Yes.

In '68 to '72 A-bodies you can raise and lower the top with the glass window in place, just like normal - no problems.

- Eric

 

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

 

The glass and the plastic windows are the same size on '68-'72 A-bodies.

The only difference is you can see through the glass ones.

- Eric

 

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.