Hi All, I had the rear quarter panels replaced on my 68 convertible with Goodmark panels. My original rear quarters did not have the louvers in the door jambs, but the replacement panels had the openings for them. When did Pontiac add(or delete) these louvers from the 68s, or were they not original on 68s at all?
All 68 "f" body cars had them from the factory as far as I know. They were required due to the lack of the wing windows on the 67. This was the new astro=ventalation system. I personally have never seen any 68 "f" body without them...
I know my '68 does not have them. I always figured that with the top of the quarter open for the top mechanism, why would they be needed? Leaving them solid eliminated some processes and parts and may retain a slight amount of strength to the convert body.
http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/closeup.mv?CarID=571 If i don't get this car back on the road soon i'm gonna go postal! On a quest for FGF knowledge 1968 Pontiac Firebird Convertible 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass "S" Convertible *Sold*
Let's clear this up, verts don't have them, coupes do. That's why the replacements have the louvers. You can use them or put in patch panels to delete them.
I dont think aftermarket convertible quarters are made for the 68's yet and they had to use 68 coupe quarters, just like we had to do with our's. We had the vents patched to be correct for a vert.
Wow, I went back and looked at the pics of our 68 RS/SS Camaro conv. and sure enough, it did not have them as well. Been so long I though for sure they had them!
I think its an early coupe thing....dont think early verts had them like 67,68, but my 69 does...they were to release pressure when door closes, and wasnt necessary on verts...but possibly the re pops only make one kind? guess its cheaper to make one type...GM prob figured that out too in 69, or late 68??...?
