Rear window louvers

Stanglover said:

That's an easy fix. Glue or weld.

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Yeah I think with the proper repair techniques it could be quite a nice repair that’s not noticeable 

RD-72 said:

Picture 1 is louver (1 piece) and hardware .(1 package)

the hardware sticks to your glass (2 hinges at the top & 2 hoedown brackets at the side)

picture 2 is damaged corner

can send more Picts if requested

box is 35”x 53”*6”

View attachment 54835

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Yeah I’d def be a bit concerned of any more potential damage if being shipped again. Looks to be easy to mess up that box

I purchased the louvers of aluminum from Summit some years ago and they were a perfect fit! 

The don't interfere the opening of the trunk lid, it could be fully opened. The hardware is glued on the window glass between the seal and the glass, no holes have to be drilled. All in all a perfect bang for the buck - I will install them again soon on my car - I think they suit our cars very well  :thumb:

I too bought the Summit Louvers, not fitted them yet, the car took a turn for the worse once i lifted the carpets and now has been off the road a couple of years while I am getting to grips with the very slow restoration.

I like the look of rear louvers. They also help to block the sun from coming in the huge rear window. Visibility is not changed at all by having them installed.

I purchased mine a few years ago from NPD. They are aluminum, east to install, the fit is perfect ( about 2 5/8"  long) and do not interfere at all with the trunk opening. Dont think the ABS ones would look as good.

https://www.npdlink.com/product/louver-rear-window/152118?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3D44268%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D

timachone said:

I purchased the louvers of aluminum from Summit some years ago and they were a perfect fit! 

The don't interfere the opening of the trunk lid, it could be fully opened. The hardware is glued on the window glass between the seal and the glass, no holes have to be drilled. All in all a perfect bang for the buck - I will install them again soon on my car - I think they suit our cars very well  :thumb:

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Can you post the link to the Summit one just to make sure we are looking at the right one? If not a link, at least the brand/model. Thank you.

tony-muscle said:

Can you post the link to the Summit one just to make sure we are looking at the right one? If not a link, at least the brand/model. Thank you.

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It was 8 years ago but I think they are these 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-wl10556 

and the kit 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-wl10556-1

timachone said:

It was 8 years ago but I think they are these 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-wl10556 

and the kit 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-wl10556-1

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Thank you. Those are the ones I saw but I just wanted to make sure. I am still undecided. I have been undecided for the last five years if I should pull the trigger or not. :classic_wacko:

Sold a dirt bike to a nice Columbian gentleman who was going to fix the broken fender with a soldering iron, aluminium window screen and strips of the same colour plastic for filler rod. He said that was common practice down there and was confident he could make it strong and look good. Might work on the back of this louver.

I got the same Summit Racing kit Kevin (and others) did - the kit is complete with mounting hardware (the hinges and latches pretty much stick onto the glass).  They don't go all the way to the bottom of the window, but then again, who cares - that part doesn't need the shade that bad, anyway.  They also don't hamper rear vis at all - just horizontal lines you barely even notice once they're there.  The worst thing they do is rip a thread or two out of the duster when I use it if I'm not careful.

View attachment 49837

I added a couple pieces of windlace to the last slat 'just in case' the trunk lid got too close... and it never does.

View attachment 27979

This isn't even the best picture to illustrate how virtually invisible they become from the driver seat, but you can see inside from the rear quite nicely.  I like it because it adds to the 'Day Two - Old School' restomod look.  Big fat raised white letter tires on Cragars, louvers, louder than stock mufflers with headers, Lakewood 'slapper' traction bars, and what more do ya need (well... power windows & locks, AM/FM/BT/USB Retrosound stereo, modern HVAC, an AOD, and LEDs... but nobody can really tell with those, since they're not cosmetic). 

View attachment 27978

I can slap the pizza cutters back on and it'll look pretty near factory fresh.

View attachment 23175

But why would I want to?

View attachment 49833

Trevynd and/or Mister 4x4,

I'm assuming both of your louvers are the same. (looks the same)

Two quick questions, if you would please. Are they aluminum or plastic? Why do they look like they are coming off the glass when they get closer to the boot? (both seem to have the same look)

Thanks, john

Well, Treyvnd was the originator of the thread asking if anybody had any louvers for sale... and the car in his original post is not his.  Just FYI.

Yes, they are aluminum - not plastic.

I can't explain why they look like they're unlatched at the bottom, other than maybe the latch mechanism is 'thicker' than the hinge mechanism.  I thought I might've installed them incorrectly, but after seeing others, I'm thinking not.  It's latched, comes open easily with a flat-blade screwdriver and quarter turn on each side, and the trunk lid doesn't hit them.  Works for me.

I had a set on my '82 Mustang (with hatchback glass) that were much bigger, and these are quite similar (having a frame that was stuck to the glass, used quarter-turn fasteners down low with hinges at the top, and I had zero issues with outward visibility.  The ones on the '82 had a prop-rod, however... but that was back in the late-'80s when things were made a bit different.

After looking closer at my desktop wallpaper, I noticed that you can just barely make out the horizontal slates through the rear glass - barely.  That's how minimal the impact to outward visibility is.

View attachment 49834

I just found a set of the old version of the Astra/Hammond louvers. A nice price, but missing the hinges and one latch plate. I figured I'd take a chance. Picked them up yesterday.
I started searching the forum for pics of louver hinges to see how I could fabricate some.
Found this thread and clicked the Summit links....who would have thought they'd have the mounting hardware as a separate item?

I purchased mine back in the late 70’s and have no clue who made them. Aluminum, and the bottom slat is not as ‘tall’ as the others so trunk clears easily. When I moved to the Nevada desert in ‘81 I noticed a big difference in interior temperature regulation with the slats versus without. Let’s face it, the back glass is a glorified sun roof and not designed for rear visibility by any stretch of imagination. The desert sun is brutal and the shading afforded by the slats is very welcome. I did, however, buy them for appearance, not functionality. The A/C cools better when the desert sun isn’t beating through the glass, so it’s all good. It’s better to just drive after the sun sets…

I had some on my Opel Manta and could really tell the difference in the summer

I've been using the Astra-Hammond aluminum louvers for then last year and a half. They do NOT require drilling, they adhere to the window. They also stop short enough of the trunk that there is no interference or scratching the paint. Before installing I read complaints about rattling or noise, but I have not noticed that at all.

To get the louvers to sit close to the curve of the window, you will need to adjust the tabs that the bottom mounts clip into, and check and adjust again - several times. Take your time and it will work out. Note that my signature picture predates the louvers....

Love the look!

Lots of paint chips on that edge of the trunk lid over 28 years of ownership. Nothing a few choice words and touch up paint can’t cure.

I presume owners were supposed to lift the louvers before opening the trunk?
How does that work without support rods and as floppy as they are?