I, like many really want the GT look for thier 356 project cars. While Bill Brown sells an excellent reproduction plexi-glass window set; the exact details on how they were originally mounted is a bit unclear. I did know that most of the original stock quarter window hardware was utilized. There were however, some detail questions about what sort of fasteners were used originally. While in the middle of fitment of my plexi-glass Quarter windows to my car Janos Szarvadi was nice enough to provide detialed photos of original factory pieces.
Pictures courtesy of: Janos Szarvadi
Factory original plastic Quarter window. Note the unusual LOGO location in the lower corner instead of the normally found upper position.
While Bill's reproduction set comes fully shaped with polished edges they are blank with no mounting holes. Original latch mount holes here, drilled and countersunk.
Here it is mounted. Spade machine screws facing out with what looks to be a brass beauty washer found on the door panel screws. The stock acorn nuts were used for the hinges but Janos was unclear if they were used on the latch screws. I can only assume yes.
Front hinge holes look to be exactly the same as the Latch holes. Dilled and countersunk on the outside which also means they take the same machine screw and washer combo as the latch. You can see the leading edge has been recessed back for hinge clearance.
Here is my window. Even before Janos had shared these photos I had already recessed the leading edge. It was strictly out of necessity not authenticity but it worked out great. Without this relief the hinge will not mount flush to the window. You can see here I did my own thing as far as mount hardware. Janos got to me too late, but hopefully this will help you.
Photo courtesy of: Bill Brown
This is a shot of Bill's original sample. Same holes and tapered edge. Note the LOGO in the normal upper corner position.
Bill was also able to provide one other crucial detail in the mounting of these windows. He said there was black vinyl insulator gaskets between the metal parts and the plastic window. The vinyl was facing outward. Pictured here, I cut up some black vinyl pieces for my mounting hardware.
Hinge fully mounted with gasket. I have to say there was a much nicer,and more postive feel when I sinched everything tight with the vinyl spacer than without it. The factory put it in there for a reason.
latch mounted. I did not mount mine authentically(because I did not know at the time I was drilling the holes) but my goal was to do it in way that was tamper proof from the outside. I can live with it but if you want to mount yours the way the factory did this hopefully showed you how. Thanks for reading this! Justin
Pictures courtesy of: Janos Szarvadi
Factory original plastic Quarter window. Note the unusual LOGO location in the lower corner instead of the normally found upper position.
While Bill's reproduction set comes fully shaped with polished edges they are blank with no mounting holes. Original latch mount holes here, drilled and countersunk.
Here it is mounted. Spade machine screws facing out with what looks to be a brass beauty washer found on the door panel screws. The stock acorn nuts were used for the hinges but Janos was unclear if they were used on the latch screws. I can only assume yes.
Front hinge holes look to be exactly the same as the Latch holes. Dilled and countersunk on the outside which also means they take the same machine screw and washer combo as the latch. You can see the leading edge has been recessed back for hinge clearance.
Here is my window. Even before Janos had shared these photos I had already recessed the leading edge. It was strictly out of necessity not authenticity but it worked out great. Without this relief the hinge will not mount flush to the window. You can see here I did my own thing as far as mount hardware. Janos got to me too late, but hopefully this will help you.
Photo courtesy of: Bill Brown
This is a shot of Bill's original sample. Same holes and tapered edge. Note the LOGO in the normal upper corner position.
Bill was also able to provide one other crucial detail in the mounting of these windows. He said there was black vinyl insulator gaskets between the metal parts and the plastic window. The vinyl was facing outward. Pictured here, I cut up some black vinyl pieces for my mounting hardware.
Hinge fully mounted with gasket. I have to say there was a much nicer,and more postive feel when I sinched everything tight with the vinyl spacer than without it. The factory put it in there for a reason.
latch mounted. I did not mount mine authentically(because I did not know at the time I was drilling the holes) but my goal was to do it in way that was tamper proof from the outside. I can live with it but if you want to mount yours the way the factory did this hopefully showed you how. Thanks for reading this! Justin
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