|
|
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 276 Likes: 1
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 276 Likes: 1 |
Warning: Purists, look away. Just something I've been thinking about, as my bird is used most often for family outings, and my kids are starting to complain about the wind level in the back seat when the top is down. I find the wind and noise level in the front seat is almost non-existent; I can carry on a conversation with the passenger with ease. But the back seat is another story - it's probably similar to being on a motorcycle with no helmet. In my opinion, cars look rather stupid with these wind deflectors on them, but leaving the kids at home isn't a desired option, nor is driving with the top up, or driving much slower. So, I'm wondering if anyone has tried a wind deflector on their bird, and how well they work, etc.
The company below makes one for first gen Camaro's, and I'm assuming they'd work on our Pontiac's, but it appears that they take up the entire back seat, which defeats the purpose of what I'm trying to accomplish: reduce the wind for the back seat passengers. They have other models, that might fit okay, although securing them would be another issue. On the upside, they seem to use a mesh or fabric material, which might be safer than a piece of plexiglass or glass, which is shown in a late model version in the second link. wind deflectorWind Screen
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,337 Likes: 3
Premium Member
|
|
Premium Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,337 Likes: 3 |
...just put the top up. Or better yet, leave the kids at home. 
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold  1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,248 Likes: 14
Premium Member
|
|
Premium Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,248 Likes: 14 |
If you drive fast enough you can't hear them complain
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,158 Likes: 51
Administrator
|
|
Administrator
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,158 Likes: 51 |
My wife always puts the passenger side window up to keep the wind turbulence down in the front. Don't know if the rear windows up would help the back seat.
Jim '68 400HO Conv.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 825 Likes: 4
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 825 Likes: 4 |
Top down convertibles on the high way, are 2 passenger vehicles no matter how many seats there are. Around town it is a different story.
] ![[Linked Image from i601.photobucket.com]](http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt95/920-680-1902/firebird/Photo_2006_1_29_22_27_15_edited_edi.jpg) Hank K. Green Bay Wis.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 140
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 140 |
In the late 70s in my 68 we drove around in the winter in ne Ohio with the top down and the windows up with the heater full on it wasn't to bad man I wished I still had that bird!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,902
Senior Member
|
|
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,902 |
Notice how some people cannot read?
You been around long enough to know: same old drill; same old person.
We did the windows up heater on thing. If you stayed 35-40 mph, it was very civilized.
No! It's not like riding a motorcycle without a helmet, an intense steady wind-rush, quite pleasant if you can get head-splatters-on-the-pavement on the back burner.
It's a slapping-type chop, and I could see where it gets annoying. Verts are such chick magnets, and I was so good looking that slap-chop didn't even register, as I talked the line to the ladies. In fact, the back seat was premium because the unobstructed mobility allowed 360' range and much more body language.
Sunglasses will help because it eliminates wind-slap-chop on the eyeballs, something that can be erosive hour after hour.
I cannot say based on firsthand experience, but it looks like it would be the cats'[censored], just the ticket you need. I'd take a chance on it
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,923
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,923 |
From the looks of the second one you could experiment and make your own temporary piece to see iif it worked for you. A piece of thin hardboard or even heavy cardboard fit down between the rear seat and frame would do the job.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 20,054
Administrator
|
|
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 20,054 |
In the late 70s in my 68 we drove around in the winter in ne Ohio with the top down and the windows up with the heater full on it wasn't to bad man I wished I still had that bird!!! This is how I drove m FIAT 1500 convertible in Sweden in winter too , top down , widows up, heater on...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 20,054
Administrator
|
|
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 20,054 |
as far as the mesh wind breaker, I just installed one on my Alfa Romeo last fall, wife was worried about hair blowing.... this is made in England, looks just like modern cars` wind blockers....doesn't work as well as it did on my 2000 Volvo c70...there I could put it up, drive w a piece of papey lying on passenger seat.... in my Alfa , it breaks the wind some...if windows are up, its better...but not a total blocking as it was in the Volvo...I think, modern car designs probably are better adapted to these blockers.....Not sure at all how it would work on a FGF...and the looks, as the blocker would be much further back....you could play with a card board or such for testing....then if it works buy one for a Volvo or other similar, then adapt it....but I don't think you will be happy with it....
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 439
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 439 |
Living in Western Canada and near the mountains, we've experimented with a few things to cut down on the COLD AIR swirling from the back through to the front. Not so much a problem with the noise, but it can get pretty cool! We've found anything blocking the air movement between the seats helps a lot. A small duffle bag (if going on a trip) or even my FB jacket across held in place by putting the arms pinched under the headrests. NOTE: Remove jacket first  If you position the jacket right, the logo looks pretty good while driving too. This is an easy, non permanent, way to combat that cold air flow. I agree with others that have said the back seat is no place to be on the highway in a vert.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 276 Likes: 1
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 276 Likes: 1 |
Thanks for the comments. The guy in the video below used a mesh sunscreen to do the job, but installed it as a way of reducing turbulence in the front seat. bmw wind screenI may try something similar, but again, life in the front is awesome - it's the back seat where you feel like you're in a wind tunnel. My vert has the fold-down rear seat option, so it should be fairly easy to rig something up. If I have any success at all, I'll report back...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 276 Likes: 1
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 276 Likes: 1 |
Living in Western Canada and near the mountains, we've experimented with a few things to cut down on the COLD AIR swirling from the back through to the front. Not so much a problem with the noise, but it can get pretty cool! We've found anything blocking the air movement between the seats helps a lot. A small duffle bag (if going on a trip) or even my FB jacket across held in place by putting the arms pinched under the headrests. NOTE: Remove jacket first  If you position the jacket right, the logo looks pretty good while driving too. This is an easy, non permanent, way to combat that cold air flow. I agree with others that have said the back seat is no place to be on the highway in a vert. We lived in Alberta for 12 years, with almost equal time split between Calgary and Edmonton. Perhaps the best drive I ever took in the convertible was from Calgary to Banff on a gorgeous summer day. Amazing drive with an unobstructed view of the Rockies.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 439
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 439 |
Yup, we're heading on the Edmonton to Calgary to Banff to Cranbrook round trip this weekend! The weather is supposed to be good, so the top will definitely be staying down!
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics35,534
Posts298,850
Members8,862
| |
Most Online19,810 Feb 1st, 2026
|
|
|
1 members (Dr. Drivability),
1,839
guests, and
212
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|