I purchased my '68 ragtop without a window in the back of the convertible top...not sure what happened to the one that was in there, but the guy I bought it from said it was a two-piece plexiglass window that folded in the middle.

Before picking up the car, I had him put a new window in and he had a soft window installed.

Since I haven't had a convertible before...I was wondering: should the soft window be unzipped from the top before the top folds down? It seems to me that it creases when the top folds down otherwise.

(technically, this car is 'hibernating' in the garage until spring, so I haven't even had a chance to drive it with the top down yet)

well mine has the one piece plexiglass in it that zippers i unzip it myself but it still folds it

Clay:
Welcome to the ragtop world.

IMHO - Store the car with the top up. It keeps the vinyl stretched. The soft window will fold, but it is better to store it in the up position.

Hi Clay

Mine certainly folds up, and there are signs of just that happening, but there isn't a sharp crease in it. I've been told that the soft windows should be carefully cleaned before putting the top down, in order to minimize markings.

One day when I replace the top, I'd like to go with a solid window, but I've heard that the Firebird needs a two-piece like yours had. That doesn't seem like a real good idea, but I've never actually seen one...

I've also "heard" that some modifications must be done to the car if you want to install a one-piece glass window. Hopefully someone else here has some knowledge about this...

I don't think any had zippers or folding plexiglass. I know my original was the single piece flexible plastic and in '68 there were no other options. It is best to put the top down part way and make sure the plastic is folding smoothly. If there are any horizontal kinks starting, smooth them out before completing the top storage.

If you will be using a boot, you will need to also fold in the fabric in the front and close the clamps so that the boot will properly tuck in between the top and seatback and fit.

Thanks...I was indeed going to leave the top up for storage, I was just curious what the procedure was when it was being driven.

It's fairly cold up here right now, which likely makes that plastic window less plyable - I'm sure when summer rolls around it won't crease as bad but I'll make sure to keep an eye on it.

One more question - the 'beams' that hold the convertible top together (running drivers side to passengers side)...are they supposed to be chrome? Mine are not, but I have seen show cars that have these chromed. What was original?

Clay,
Original is painted black. There are two kinds of rear windows. A one piece thin clear plastic and a two piece glass. The two piece glass gives you a bigger blind spot. I was told by a top expert that the seam eventually breaks on the two piece glass.

Jim, was that 2 piece glass an option for '69? I know it does not show up on options or specs for '68.
Jim

Just had my top and window replaced this year. It is the one piece plastic, no zipper. The two other tops i had were also one piece plastic without zippers. I see they sell the folding glass rear windows for FGF's but i do not think they were ever factory on an FGF.I went with a KEE auto top and window i purchased from Earlybirds in Toronto,Ontario. http://www.early-birds.com/parts_223.html I believe you can purchase just the plastic window if you wanted to go to a zipperless window.Both my fathers oldsmobiles have the folding glass.As Jim mentioned,the glass will tend to seperate from the vinyl it is attached to.The rails are black, someone probably did that for show/bling purposes.
My window as well, will crease when i fold it back.Best to keep the top up when not driving it,summer or winter as it will keep the top mmaterial stretched.

David

I don't think glass was an option for the Firebird. You can get glass now, but Chuck here in Bismarck has been doing ragtops since the sixties (Best installer!) and he claims that the glass has a tendancy to break since there is not as much room for it to fold down like there would be in a GTO.

I don't unzip mine before putting the top down (I didn't even know there was a zipper--I'll have to look). I usually lay a towel over mine when putting it down so that it doesn't rub against itself and make more scuffs on it than are already there. My bows are black.

Bruce

The glass versions (aftermkt) tends to break in the silicone fold and take more room when folded down ...there are zippers in some repro tops, the origs didnt have them ,but IF you have a zipper (I`ve had in some other cars) its better to unzip before folding top down , helps the plastic to not be folded al the time...

mine does not have a zipper, and I keep mine down most of the time ,but its best to have top up when you dont use the car , it keeps the top stretched and its easier to put up again...
but since its usually fairly warm here in Texas , my top streches when I use it...but if not up for awhile sometimes it can be a pain to get the clasps to reach...

This is all great to know!

So the zipper indicates an aftermarket top...were they put there purposely so that you can relax the rear window when folding the top down, or so that you can drive around with the back window out?

On another note, I just checked last night after reading about 'cocktail shakers' and all 4 of mine are missing

No shakers? No martinis for you!!

There's another $400 u.s. + shipping Clay
If it makes you feel any better, i only have the two front ones, no noticeable vibrations :)at least none that i remember LOL

David

I gotta agree with what has been said here. My plastic rear window gets attention when folding to minimize kinks, black top bows and leave top up when not in use. I have done the same thing for my catalina for 15 years and the top fits nice and the window still is reletively clear.

As for the cocktail shakers, I have ridden in ones without and with. I personnaly can tell the difference the things make. I would recommend starting the search now is it may take quite a while to locate all 4 and the necessary brackets. Also keep in mind the fronts on a 68 have an additional bracket that no other year had which makes it even more fun. I have only seen one listed over the years on Ebay, but it sold for way more than what a chunk of bent flatstock should. I do have them, but are in poor shape. I've been considering making a set for myself. I just gotta find the presized stock.

Updating the previous post:

This guy has a set listed right now on Ebay (not me):

http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZricroc55565767686970

This is the best pics I have of my set, before and after, so you might pick which is which in the auctions:






The ones shown on the blue tarp go: rear, rear, front, front

Top one goes Driver front, Pass Front
Driver Rear, Pass Rear

You can see the extra bracket that offsets it across the turn signal lense. (One was re-usable.)

edited to reduce image size.

Clay, the quality towel over the window is a good practice, and will prevent scratching of the new plastic. Also, you should check into buying some 303 protectant for the top and the window:
http://www.303products.com/main.php

Just some added protection... brought my poor top back to life, and it's lasted 6 years where I thought I was going to have to replace it the first year after buying the car...

As far as I know Jim C is correct. Non zippered plastic window was all that was originally offered. Now the same, a zippered option and a split glass (hinge seam in the middle) options are available. Another great source of info and products is:
http://www.convertibleparts.com/ Very helpful for any questions you may have, willing to help!

Congrtulations on the new vert!

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

catalina. I think you have your two shakers in the center of the tarp switched. Should be rear, front, rear, front.
Barry

woops, you are correct...

> No shakers? No martinis for you!!
(James Bond voice) “Shaken, not stirred.”
The top on my conv is relatively new. But when the time comes, I'd like to find a replacement top with a zippered soft window. It would be nice to have the top up on those blazing hot summer days, with ALL the windows down for max ventilation.
I agree with Brent about the 303 Products. They are a good investment to keep the top looking sharp.

Tom

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> The top on my conv is relatively new. But when the time comes, I'd like to find a replacement top with a zippered soft window. It would be nice to have the top up on those blazing hot summer days, with ALL the windows down for max ventilation. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">well, as it comes to having top up or down , I prefer mine down even on those "blazing hot summer days", because its a whole different car to me when top is up, it feels totally different and I prefer it top down....no a/c car too!
but its a good idea to be able to 'blow thru' the car...even though you dont get much of it!