Inliners International Forums General Discussion Body & Paint 48 vent windows

Ok im back again. Still need help or photos on how i can get rid of my front vent windows and have one solid glass on my 48 fleetline 2dr. I met a guy in Lincoln Ne the other day and he had a Pontiac that he had done that to, but when i asked him if i could look at his car a little closer and maybe tell me how he did it, he said he did not want to share that info and got in his car and left. Wow i thought street rodders were more friendly than this and would be glad to share info. So one way or the other i will get this done. So come on you all, i know someone can send me some photos and tips on how this is done.

Dear Kip;

I can't remember where I saw it, but one of the 'big time' custom guys did that in the late 50's or early 60's...

An 'educated guess' would be that a GM door glass is used with It's regulator & the stock glass/hardware is all discarded.

I would start @ a glass shop that has those old paterns. Take with you a cardboard "cutout" of your door glass & wing combined and look for a match. A Cad. Or Olds. (circa 1949) coupe perhaps.

Good luck, John M.......

PS: Let me know how it works out.

Thanks John, i see them all the time on some of the show circuits, but never know who owns them, some are recent photos of shows.I thought maybe some of these guys would be on this forum. The problem with the 48 is that the glass is angled at the vent area. I thought of maybe using plexiglass and bending it to shape, but dont know how long that would last before it got scratched up.We dont have any good glass shops in this part of Nebraska.

Dear Kip;

They may be 1930-39 Buick 2Dr. sedan but not sure.

Try this: Bob's Classic Auto Glass, 1-800-624-2130.

Good luck, John M.........

PS: What ever door glass it is, will require a trim etc.

I saw an article on how to do this in one of the custom truck mags some time ago but can't for the life of me remember which one. The truck in question was a '56 F-100 and it looked fairly straight forward. Another idea would be to check out a '48 or so Chevy truck door, they had solid side glass. Good luck.......

Kip,

I have done this and can tell you how to do it.
Last winter, I chopped my Chevy Coupe and eliminated the vent windows. I have a buddy who has a Streetrod '40 Chevy Coupe with one piece glass also.

You have to buy an extension to support the longer glass you'll be using available from several after-market rod shops. Try Yearwood's or Butch's Rod Shop. After taking the old vent window out, you'll have to do a very simple but delicate maneuver. Find the apex of the curve(where the the vent window met the door glass) and push firmly but carefully until the outside door area where the glass goes is straight. Make sure the door glass support(in the door) has been removed. The inner window trim will have to be ground down a little to make room for the straight glass.
Believe it or not, this will work! All of the body guys I have talked to said it wouldn't work, but amazingly, it does. If you go past straight, you'll have to use a pry bar to straighten it out.
By installing electric windows with a new mechanism, everything will work smoothly and will be fine.

Another simplier way to achieve a one piece window look but retain the vent too, is this solution. On my Chevy, I installed a new 1-piece "U" channel and went completely around the whole window. I removed the vent window and top half of the mechanism. I glued 2 rigid "C" channels together and cemented one side to a newly cut vent glass. I had a glass shop do the glass so everything fits. Once you slip the vent window in place, the window glass can roll up nicely using the glued on "H" channel. When you drive or park at a show, you roll down the window, slip out the glass, and you have no vent window! You can also drive with it out too, but I like the vent window in as it it buffets the air out of your face.

If you need photos on this, just email me and I will send you the photos. Good Luck!

RapRap
1940 ChoppedChevyCoupe

Kip,
Here are some photos I took of the vent window removal system I did on my 1940 Chevy. This is the system that you can slide the vent in or out as you like.


Vent window is in place with the driver's window rolled up.


Vent window being pulled out.



Photo showing the continous "C" channel that the vent window slides into.


Vent window with the "H" channel glued on.


Close up of the "H" channel.


Inside view of the vent window in place

Dear Kip;

It took a while to find.

The Company that makes that conversion kit is named Hagan, out of Carson City, Nv. There catalog is free by calling: 775.885.1969

The wind wing assembly is totaly removed & a new chanel instaled in the front part of the door etc. Kit cost $79.00 per door. The new glass then fills the intire frame.

You will need to run a new felt around the upper frame & a seal along the garnish rail too.

Good luck, John M.....

Dear Kip;

I still haven't figured out what (yr. make/model)the glass comes from yet.

You could make a patern out of cardboard & then go to a glass shop & try to match it. The problem is; There are very few Glass Shops that deal with older cars.

I plan to do the same with my 48 Sedan-Delivery, so I'll let ya know.

John M.......