I am replacing my "moon roof" convertible top on my '67 (it was in the forest for 20 years).

So there are tops out there using a folding rear glass.

Do they look cool?

Do they leak?

Is the window the same size as plastic window?

Anybody have pictures??

my 68 had a top with a folding glass window on it when I bought it, 6 years ago. A previous car, a 67, I put on a top with a plastic window.

The ONLY drawback with the glass window is the 3/4 inch wide silicone strip running right thru the center of it.

With the plastic windows, after a few years, it pretty much had the same strip, just from it being folded most of the time. It's also harder to keep nice, you have to be very careful what you clean it with, and it will eventually fade and yellow.

I prefer the glass.

Jim,
Since you prefer the glass, did you have to unzip the glass each time before you lowered the top to prevent the silicone from splitting? I had posted previously in the last week, on trying to decide wether or not to replace my glass with glass.

Jerry

Jerry, my 67 had the glass rear window when I bought it.

Frankly, I hate it.

Like Jim said, the strip sticks out like a sore thumb. And yes, I have to unzip it each time. This isn't easy on mine because it takes 2 people really.

Here it is.

http://hometown.aol.com/zz430droptop67rs/images/copy%20of%20pictures%20168.jpg

Jim,
Since you prefer the glass, did you have to unzip the glass each time before you lowered the top to prevent the silicone from splitting? I had posted previously in the last week, on trying to decide wether or not to replace my glass with glass.

Jerry

I do not, and never have unzipped the window before lowering the top.
The window must fold at the stripe whether you unzip it or not, I can't see that it would make any difference. I'd have to guess that the glass window will last longer than the plastic... I have 6 years on mine, and don't know how long the top was on before I got it. My tops LIVES down. Last week I put it up for the second time in a year.

Jim,
Since you prefer the glass, did you have to unzip the glass each time before you lowered the top to prevent the silicone from splitting? I had posted previously in the last week, on trying to decide wether or not to replace my glass with glass.

Jerry

Why do they put a zipper in?

Does the zipper leak?

Is it concealed so yo cant see it from outside?

This is my first convert so there are many mysteries to me.

Zipper can also cut the top if it get squeezed in just the right stop. Happened on my friends Z11 the first time he put the new top down and he and I spent hours putting it on! :(

Why do they put a zipper in?

Does the zipper leak?

Is it concealed so yo cant see it from outside?

This is my first convert so there are many mysteries to me.

EVERY ragtop I've ever seen has the back window zippered in.... flow thru ventilation with the top up perhaps? This is always true, glass window or plastic.

The rear window is a separate peice, from the bottom pinchweld area up to the last bow, and wrapping around to the quarter windows. You can't see it all, of course, and much of it is solid material, not window. The zipper is completely hidden up under the top itself, which goes on last, over the window unit.

Zippers on 1st gens is an aftermarket item. Same for the 38oz material. Original tops are 32oz and did not have zippers, back plastic window was fixed.

Why is it that ZZ40 has to unzip his each time and Jim you don't have to. I am confused, my top currently has a glass window, which was put in by the previous owner, no telling how long ago and the silicone is broken but I have a new replacement waiting to be put in. I will put the glass back in so long as I don't have to unzip the window each time before I lower the top, I have a power top and I love not having to do anything extra to put it up or down.

This reminds me of a conversation I had here a while back with BPOS. He'd been crawling into his car for years unzipping the windows because "the guy he bought it from told him too..."
He's now happily folding the top down with the window zipped up.
I suppose it's possible to put the window section on in such a way (too high or too low) that the glass "binds up" when you fold it, but there's enough extra material so you can set the height so that doesn't happen.
Also, if you're window is bad but your top is good, it's not hard to replace just the window.

If I don't unzip my non-power top, when the glass folds, it tries to rip the zipper away from the sides of the glass.

Yes, it will go up and down without unzipping, but the folded thickness when down is such that the boot won't fit.

Jim,
I thought that after BPOS tried putting it down without unzipping the window the center silicone split in two...... Might have to ask him.

Hey what are you guys smokin' and can I have some??

You must have me confused with someone else, Jim. My car has the factory type unzippered plastic rear window (installed by yours truly) - and I'm like you - it's down ALL summer long and up all winter long while in storage.

For me, a glass or a plastic window is a non-issue, as I never drive it with the top up.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=53529&page=2&pp=15

Check the above thread, Jim it was Steve W who had been unzipping his top for two years, then after some advice from this site he put it down without unzipping it and the silicone broke on him.

Ooops...
When you put the window assembly on, there is a lot of room for adjustment. The windows section is much larger than the space it fits into, and there is room to adjust it up or down several inches before you fire up the staple gun.
Mine folds smoothly. The fold ends up a slightly back from the bulkhead, it doesn't bind up at all, and it folds all the way down without unzipping it. I have nearly 6 inches of vinyl showing below the glass, and the glass is more than 2" up behind the top.
Perhaps when the window is set lower in the car, it binds and pulls when it folds, and that's why some have to unzip? Unlike a plastic window, the glass one can only fold in one place.

I'm having my new Haartz cloth top put on as we speak. I asked the same question awhile back, do a search under "plastic vs. glass". Basicaslly it boiled down to personal preference, having said that most preffered the glass: won't fade, better visibility (clearer) despite smaller size. Cons: heavier, requires deeper well cover, obvious slicone strip in center, smaller in size...and according to the manufacturer you must unzip the glass or risk tearing the silicone. I went with the glass because I liked the look of it when the top is up. It looked more modern and "cleaner", more luxurious. I looked at alot of converts in mags and the ones that I thought looked better were the ones with glass. Interestingly, I found very few pics of converts with plastic windows with the top up. can't wait to get it back next week. With the new top I'm planning on it extending my driving season, with all the work that we put into our rides we should enjoy them for as long as possible!!

I just spoke to the manufacturer (Key Auto Tops 800-438-5934) of the glass rear window from Classic Industries and they stated that it is recommended that the window be unzipped before lowering the top to avoid splitting the silicone. However, the window has a two year warranty on the silicone if the warranty card is filled out and sent in. She also said that there is not any adjustments that can be made to prevent the splitting, but I think I will try JIM's suggestions.

I don't know that the complaints are founded about plastic windows. Yes if you don't take care of them they cloud up, get brittle and can be scratched. I had a ragtop as a kid, I parked outside in all kinds of weather and never used plastic cleaner and polish on it. I also didn't think twice about putting the top down without cleaning it off and I left the top down for months at a time. The window still took about 4 years to get really bad.

As for the 2 piece glass I don't know anyone that didn't have the slicone strip split in a couple years. I personally haven't had one though. The 2 pic's below are of a 10+ year old window. I've had the car for 7 of those years. I use plastic cleaner and plastic polish on it, I dust it off before putting the top down and never leave teh top down more than a few days at a time (even if driving it several days in a row). My top has perm crows feet from the previous owner leaving the top down. Now the crows feet have turned to small slices... There are some scratches and blemishes in this window but it's in better shape than the top because of the crows feet damage. I use my car, it's still looking good but the road is beating it up a bit. Just like the paint and interior wear from use, the top and rear window will show some age over the years. If you invest your time in taking care of it though it will look nice a lot longer than you may think...