Etched Window Glass
Q: Etched Window Glass
I have a 1968 Firebird that has the firebird emblems etched in the glass. My bird has power windows and also the “Custom” interior. Is there any connection to these options? how are is this??
A: Regarding the ‘Bird’ etching found on some 1968 Firebird’s…
The process used to produce the ‘Bird’ Logo on the front side glass was referred to as ‘Etching’. To Etch does not necessarily mean to ‘sandblast’ an image into the glass; this can be accomplished in the same way as the supplier/date code info is ‘etched’ onto the glass. This was not simply painted on.
As far as verifying the reason’s behind why some received this special glass and other’s did not; the following is NOT true…
* Used on all Firebird’s built before 5-1-68
* Used only on Air Conditioned and/or Power Window cars
* Used only on Early Production cars
* Used only on Tinted-Glass cars
From the Registry-Survey I have been conducting over the past 8yrs, I have found ORIGINAL 1968 Firebird’s w/the ‘Etched’ Bird and also with or without the above features…in other words; mystery not solved. The only thing I have found is that all cars in the Registry w/the special glass are “400” cars…. all built between Nov.’67 and Jul.’68 including Lordstown and Van Nuys cars. Still need more info to be able to establish a consistent trend here.
A: Regarding the 1968 Firebird ‘Bird’ Glass mystery; I’ve collected documentation from many 1968 Firebirds during the 10 yrs I’ve been working on the 1st Gen. Firebird Registry. Out of the hundreds of cars, I have yet to decipher this mystery other than to say that the Etched White Birds on the front side glass appeared only on the early 1968 Firebirds. I’ve found them on original, documented, one owner cars that have been 400s, 350s, with and w/o A/C, with and w/o Custom Trim Option, Coupes, Convs, Clear Glass and Tinted, automatics and 4spds. I’m currently trying to establish the latest build date for cars having this special glass. It could be that this feature was pulled due to production costs. Your 1968 350 Firebird w/Bird Glass being built around the 1st week of March is certainly one of the later ’68s I’ve heard of getting this feature. I’d be interested in adding any of your current/former Firebirds to our Registry. If you wouldn’t mind sharing the VIN, Trim Tag info as well as descriptions and/or documentation. We’re still doing quite a bit of research into this and other 1st Gen. mysteries. Thanks very much for your interest and support.
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this topic has come up again on Facebook. was there any more info ever found out about the Bird glass? from what I remember and have read on here over the years is that from Oct to Dec 1967 the Bird glass was in production and installed on Firebirds from the second to the third week of Nov 1967 to second to third week of Jan 1968. I there any more info on this matter.. any investigations going on now is flawed as in the last 30+yrs people have been installing the Bird glass in their cars
I recently purchased a 1968 Firebird Convertible that is a 350, auto, roll-up windows and it has the etched bird on the windows. It is a 223678U vin. Does this add value to the car or is it just cool 🙂
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Cool factor.
My dad found a passenger window at a junkyard for his 69 camaro and when he cleaned it found the bird etched in it. Needless to say he had to find another glass but still has it sitting around.
I recently purchased a 1968 Firebird convertible that was disassembled and in the early stages of restoration and as I have been learning more about my Firebird, I read that factory AC cars typically came with tinted windows. So I decided to checked the glass in my doors and quarters to verify that my glass was tinted. What I found was that only the drivers (LH) side was tinted and, to my surprise, I found that other glass was clear and that my RH side glass was clear with the Firebird emblem on it. Assuming that the RH side is original and the LH side had been replaced, I wanted to share as much info that I can on my car to add to the research. I do not know all the details on what model Firebird (350, 400, etc.) my car was, by this is what I can share:
Date Code: 11C
ST Code: 68-22667 LOR
Body Code: 2062
TR Code: 259 (Black Deluxe interior)
Paint Code: G-2 (April Gold – Black Top)
VIN: 223678U122107
Hello, wanted to comment on the etched glass. I bought a 67 firebird from a fella 8 years ago in Paso Robles. The two vent windows each have etched birds on them. They also have the names of Diane under the bird on the drivers side and the name Mark under the bird on the passenger side. If you would like more info such as vin and such Id be glad to respond. Wish the privacy act to research who used to own the car before didn’t exist. Would be cool to know how many owners this car had.