Question regarding Rear Window Defroster

[Robert R.]

My '73 Convertible has the rear window defroster option. With the top deck open there is a duct for the air to travel to the vent.
I have seen cars without this option that have an adjustable bumper on the underside of the deck. Mine does not have one, but should there also be a bumper near that duct as with decks that do not have this option?

[Joe L.]

Re: Question regarding Rear Window Defroster

My '73 Convertible has the rear window defroster option. With the top deck open there is a duct for the air to travel to the vent.
I have seen cars without this option that have an adjustable bumper on the underside of the deck. Mine does not have one, but should there also be a bumper near that duct as with decks that do not have this option?

Robert-----


First of all, let me say that I'm not sure about this. However, my recollection is that convertibles with the C-50 rear window defogger did not have the driver side bracket and bumper. However, I think that the passenger side bracket and bumper was used.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Question regarding Rear Window Defroster

My '73 Convertible has the rear window defroster option. With the top deck open there is a duct for the air to travel to the vent.
I have seen cars without this option that have an adjustable bumper on the underside of the deck. Mine does not have one, but should there also be a bumper near that duct as with decks that do not have this option?

Most 73's I have seen only have one bumper on the deck lid. If you have one bumper it is probably all your car ever had.
Lyle

[Martin N.]

Re: Question regarding Rear Window Defroster

Robert,
My 74 convertible has only one bumper and that's on the passengers side of the deck lid. No signs of one ever being on the drivers side.
Marty

[Robert R.]

Re: Question regarding Rear Window Defroster

I have seen photos of cars without the defroster option that do show the bumper on the driver side, as does the AIM.
My car does not appear to have the holes for the bracket, so my initial guess was that the duct negated this bumper from being added. The AIM does not show one, but it does not indicate its deletion with this option.


Are there any cars out there that do have the bumper and the duct?

[Jack H.]

Re: Question regarding Rear Window Defroster

If memory serves, it was 1971 when designers realized that could garner a unit cost saving by going from two to one rear decklid, folded convertible top, bumper.... I'm not sure if the bumper(s) were present if the car was originally built in a convertible, hard top only, configuration. But, I wouldn't put it past the factory folks to reap additional cost savings for eliminating part(s) that served no purpose on cars lacking soft top assemblies.

I can find no evidence in the AIM that requires the deletion of one or more of the rear deck lid bumpers on cars equipped with the C-50, rear window defrost option....

[Robert R.]

Re: Question regarding Rear Window Defroster

Marty,
You indicated that you have the bumper on the passenger side. Does your car have the C50 Defroster option?

If so, that may answer my question as to if there should be one.

And to be sure from another post, the car does have both soft and hard tops.

Thanks in advance to all for your input.

Bob

[Martin N.]

Re: Question regarding Rear Window Defroster

BOB-

No, my car does NOT have the C50 defroster option. My car has both Soft & Hard tops. I think I have to agree with Jack H. on GM cutting whatever they could to add a few pennies to the "Bottom Line". Are you coming to the GOLD here in Illinois? I'll do some research there for you if you'd like.

Marty

[Robert R.]

Re: Question regarding Rear Window Defroster

Marty,
Yes I plan to be at St Charles in June.It's only a quick 15 minute drive to get there for me. And probably I will still be scrounging for those elusive parts. It's probably more efficient on ebay, but I like to get my hands dirty, break into a sweat when I see what I need, and examine before I buy.

Bob