68 pop out window mistery????

[Terry F.]

Hi again. This is a stange one. I have been looking at rear pop out windows for 68 corvettes. I am starting to wonder about clear rear pop out windows vs. tinted (soft-ray) pop out windows. I agree, most people have better things to think about....

Here is the situation....I had a rear pop out window that was clear for a 68 corvette. It was dated very early in production. I have since been looking for another one that is clear. I am always watching for 68 pop out glass on ebay. All I ever find is tinted. I never find just plain clear. What's up? Did they stop making just plain clear pop out glass in 68? I am starting to wonder. What gives?

Any comments from 68 owners that have clear rear pop out windows? Thanks, Terry

[Warren F.]

Re: 68 pop out window mistery????

Terry:

According to factory records a majority of '68 'vettes were so ordered with tinted glass, 17,635 to be exact. That leaves the balance as clear glass, of 10,931 cars out of a total of 28,566 cars built for the model year 1968.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 68 pop out window mistery????

Ah, Would be less than that. Only 9936 were coupes. About 40% of those.

[Terry F.]

Re: 68 pop out window mistery????

I knew the numbers were something like that but still. I never find clear pop out rear windows. I will keep looking but it just makes me wonder. It seems you could order your car with 3 types of glass options...1) Clear windshield, clear side glass and clear pop out. 2) Tinted windshield, clear side glass, clear pop out. or 3) All glass tinted all the way around.

I am starting to wonder if option "2" got you a rear tinted window also. I say this simply because I am trying to rationalize the fact that I only seem to find tinted pop outs.

I like a good mistery....Terry

[Mark #28455]

clear glass is hard to get

I have an early 1969 coupe (that uses the 1968 window glass) and have been looking for clear glass for the past 9 years. All I can say is good luck! Beware, most people don't even realize that the tinted glass is almost clear anyway. I have even had "reputable" Corvette suppliers sell me a tinted rear window as clear and when it arrives saying "soft ray" they refuse to take it back saying I switched it!

I have had my best luck at Carlisle.

Mark

[Terry F.]

Re: clear glass is hard to get

I don't think it exists. This could be an X-file case. All the clear glass was rounded up and is now in Area-51.

I am not sure what the story is. I know my observations could be totally wrong and I know they are very subjective. But, something doesn't seem right. I would love it if someone would correct my observations.

Show me the clear glass pop out window.

I have done what you have done also and purchased clear glass only to get tinted. I ask people, "Is it clear?" They say, "Yup!" I say, "Send it." It arrives and it says Soft-ray......

Clear does not exist. Thanks, Terry

[George W.]

Re: clear glass is hard to get

I'm have a clear (no "soft ray" ), JX rear window I believe JX is May of '68. G.

[Mark #28455]

it does exist, only very rare

I still have the original windshield and side windows for my car and the fragments of the shattered rear window (when placed next to a tinted window it was truly clear). I was also lucky enough to locate two clear rear windows (sorry, after seeing one shatter, I'm keeping them both) one was Nov 67 the other was spring 68. I bought one of them at Carlisle for $50 - go figure!

Like I said, Carlisle (or Bloomington) is the best place to buy as you can look for the dreaded "soft ray" yourself (and not have to trust somebody else)!

Mark

[Terry F.]

Re: clear glass is hard to get

I will take it off your hands George.

[Terry F.]

Re: it does exist, only very rare

I have 3 different soft ray pop outs from 68 and have had others that I have sold. Clear is harder to find. Terry

[Rich G.]

Re: it does exist, only very rare

Terry

My July 18 built 68 has all clear glass. The rear date code is either CX or GX . CX would be November according to the JG. Could be a replacement or could be GX which is April. Side Glass is JX and IX and the windshield is UX. (May, June, July.

On another subject a while back you asked about mountig guide or "bumps" on the headlamp doors. I've looked, but can't see what you're referring to.

Rich Giannotti

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 pop out window mistery????

Terry-----

Both clear and tinted coupe rear glass were used in PRODUCTION and were available once-upon-a-time in SERVICE. The clear glass was GM #3912931 and it was discontinued from SERVICE in December, 1980. The tinted glass was GM #3912933 and it was discontinued in July, 1985.

The glass was also available as a complete assembly with frame. The clear was GM #3938097 and it was discontinued from SERVICE in November, 1980. The tinted glass was GM #3938098 and it was discontinued in September, 1986.

The clear glass was only used, of course, for 1968 and 1969. For 1970 and later tinted glass for all windows became standard.

[Paul B.]

Mine is CLEAR...

Checked my four option(L-79,M-21,Headrest,Radio) Silver 42K mi '68 Coupe and it has clear. March 19th build, #14222

[Terry F.]

Re: Mine is CLEAR...

Thanks for the info. Hhmmm, still weird how clear glass is so hard to find compared to tinted. Thanks, Terry