Just bought a "project" 57 Holiday Coupe that is missing the back glass. My limited research has indicated that the Coupe glass is different from the 2 door and the 4 door hardtops. I also am told that a 57 Buick Special or Century coupe glass will interchange. Anyone with this glass available, PLEASE CALL 512/627-4870

Buster

 

Try this guy he has 50 57 Olds in Calif. Lots of parts but he may or may not sell but worth a try.
peteclayton@aol.com

 

Are you speaking of the back window glass??

 

To Gerald Nickels....Thank you for the referral.

And to NGABronco....yes, the three-piece back glass

 

Gerald....bad email address for Pete Clayton. Are you sure you got it right? Thanks

 

Like this??

 

Exactly....assuming that it is for a coupe.

 

NGABronco...did you get my message? I am interested in your glass.

Buster

 

Hey Buster, didn't get a message from you?? That glass came out of a 4 door rig that I bought for parts. I have no idea if they would fit a coupe. They are the same as my 2 door sedan. I'll give you a call later this morning.

 

Buster, I lied!! I went back and looked, and there was a message from you, my bad, I thought it was just a notification that you had replied to my post.
Sorry!!

 

Buster, have you tried Henry. He lives right in Austin. Has a well stocked yard with lots of older stuff. PM me for his phone number.

 

Unfortunately, I don't think anything but glass from a Coupe will fit a Coupe. I have been told this by a number of people, and I found a parts book that lists the back windows as separate part numbers. Bummer. But thanks for trying. If the glass is close, I may be able to get it cut down, as I believe the problem is that all the other models have slightly bigger glass. I will check with a local glass company to see if this is possible.

 

No problem Buster, you're calling it a Coupe, is that the same as a 2 door hard top??


If ya' need, let me know and I'll dig them out and measure for you. Getting any parts for a 57' can be a chore!! Good luck!!

 

Yo' Buster, that center glass measures 41.75" at the bottom, 41.5" at the top. It is 17" on each end and 17.5 in the middle. Laying flat on the outside of the glass, with a board across, there is a 2" bow in the middle. It is not a flat piece of glass. Hope this helps!!!

 

That's helps a lot ! There are two ways you could have measured the glass....with a flexible tape along the surface of the glass, or with a steel tape straight across (flat) from edge to edge. I assume you used the "flat" measurement?? If I am wrong, please let me know. I will measure mine this evening and let you know.

Thanks,

Buster

 

Sorry here is his right email peteclayton455@aol.com

 

I measured it with a flex/metal tape, outside of the window, width & length. Turned it over, laid a board on it and measured the bow. You probably need to lay your tape on the body line of the opening, where it should mount.

 

The difference I believe is in the angle of the arch in the roof line, a little bit goes a long way in curved glass.This is quite common in the fifties cars two door hardtops to two door sedans probably other years also..... Tedd

 

NGABronco....Thanks for the clarification.

I just measured my glass opening......bummer. The width is OK, but my height is 16.5". Guess that is why the parts manual gives two different part numbers. I still need to check to see if my local glass company can trim that much, but I am also worried about the curvature?? Guess that could be different as well.

By the way, I assume the glass comes out from the inside?? Please confirm. Thanks for all you help.

 

Buster, I think I took that glass out from the outside?? I did check the chrome for the small windows and you are correct about the 3 brackets for screws, however the chrome is in 2 pieces and there are several small pieces of "backing" pieces that go with the chrome piece??? I bagged and taped them to the chrome. I can get some pics if it will help. Good luck!!!

 

Pictures of the backing pieces would be great. You would think that something as simple as removing/installing window glass is something that would be covered explicitly in the Shop Manual, but in the one I have, it is not.

 

OK Buster, here are pics of the chrome trim for small rear side glass. For the life of me I don't know how or where these 2 brackets/plates fit or go??? For some reason I bagged them and taped them to the surround chrome.


The last pic is the little philips screws we talked about (next to a dime).

 

Thanks again. This sure will help me identify my pieces if I have them. Now, only to figure out where they go ;<))

 

Did you find your glass? 57 Buick Special and Century 2 DR HT's are same as all models of 57 Olds 2 DR HT's. All other models are taller. I believe I have a tinted one that I would part with. Will check the first of the week if interested. Also have the two curved side pieces. And they do come out from the inside. The stainless trims screws into the body first then the gasket and so on.

Gary

South Bend

 

Gary..thanks, and yes, I am interested in your glass. Tinted if fine. I only have one question, EVERYONE that tries to help me on this talks bout all 2-DR HT being the same....BUT, I have a Holiday Coupe, and it is NOT a 2-DR HT. Can you say for sure that the glass is the same?? I sure hope so. Thanks for the installation info too.

Buster

 

A Holiday Coupe is a 2 door hardtop.

 

Thank you. Then, I suppose I am in the market for your back glass??

 

Buster

I am not an Olds person but do have two 57 Buick Special Riviera 2 DR HT's which have the exact same body as the Olds 2 DR HT coupes. To me a HT coupe is a piiarless 2 DR Vehicle. A 2 DR with a pillar is a 2DR sedan. If you have a 2 DR Sedan the rear glass is the same as a 4 DR and 4 DR HT. The top of the car was "taller" than the 2 DR HT's.

You need to tell me for sure what you have. I may have one of the "taller" rear glass also but will have to look. I have parted several 57 Olds and Buicks but never a 2 DR Sedan but still believe that a 2 DR HT rear glass only fits a 2 DR HT. I have one in my basement that I just checked and it is 16" high and 41 5/8 with the tape running over the crown of the glass. I will check other glass that I have at my shop tomorrow.

Gary

 

I agree!!!

 

The retainers that are pictured are unique to a 2 DR HT also. They are also (particularly the small radius piece) VERY hard to find as most of them are rusted out The tiny screw is the screw(s) that attach the stainless trim to the body.

 

Gary,

Well, I just measured the space for my rear window (at the center...inside) and it is just a bit over 16". Since you confirmed the glass is installed from the inside, it looks like your glass is the right piece.

I think I have found at least one set of the "brackets", and am still looking for the other pieces. I have outside trim pieces, but I am not sure they are the right ones. (they just don't seem to fit exactly). The former owner apparently assembled a lot of extra parts, and some of them clearly are not for the car I have. Adds to the mystery for sure.

 

Buster

All of that back stainless, glass and brackets are unique to a 2 DR HT. Do you have the correct corner glass. I will take some measurements of the various pieces tomorrow. Send (PM) me an email address so that I can send you pics and measurements. Does your center glass trim fit the opening?

Gary

 

Gary,

Thanks for the update. My corner glass "sort-a" fits. Not sure of the clearance required from the edge of the glass to the pinch weld seam, but my glass actually seems a little small. I don't guess you can get any "smaller" than a 2-DR HT, so it must (??) be right. I also assume that the glass fits into a rubber gasket, and that will eat up some of this extra space. I will double check all my trim in the morning. My email address is bhoffmaster@me.com. I agree that it is best to carry on thru email. Call anytime at 512-627-4870. Buster

 

Gary,

Still waiting to hear back from you (via email - bhoffmaster@me.com) about your glass. I DO HAVE the back corner glass and trim, so it looks like all I am missing is the center glass. I also DO HAVE the center glass trim. thanks.

Buster