1973 Rear Window

[Glen C.]

I just saw a 1973 coupe for sale with a removable rear window. Did any leave the factory this way or is this a pieced together body?

Glen

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1973 Rear Window

I have seen 73 coupes that were built the first 100 cars and the window was fixed.
It is not a big job to put in a removable window. The hard part is finding the trim panels with the cut outs for the handles. Check this area for bubba's work.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1973 Rear Window

Hi Glen,
On Corvette Forum questions about changing to a removable rear window are posted quite regularly. From the replies and comments this change seems to be done quite often.
As Lyle mentioned, coming up with the correct parts to make a good appearance takes a bit or searching.
Regards,
Alan

[Tim G.]

Re: 1973 Rear Window

I remember the fellow that got me hooked on Corvettes in the mid 70's worked at a Corvette repair facility near Morton Grove, IL. He took a rear clip from a '70 to '72 and put it on a '73 that got hit in the rear. He always laughed about how that was the only '73 with a pop out window.

[William M.]

Re: 1973 Rear Window

Supposedly Zora never liked the idea of the removable window. For that reason alone, I think I'll keep mine fixed

[Peter G.]

Re: 1973 Rear Window

What was the reason for going to the fixed rear window in '73?

Was it for the EPA and added structural safety in case of rollover or was there too much wind noise in the cabin at high speed on the earlier '72 models.

I thought I have heard that it was the prior...wind noise in the cabin, buy was not sure?

[Jim T.]

Re: 1973 Rear Window

As an owner of a 1970 coupe with factory air conditioning and over 40 years of ownership I really have not driven my 70 with either the t-tops off and the back window removed very many times. I have driven it 165,000 one owner miles.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1973 Rear Window

What was the reason for going to the fixed rear window in '73?

Was it for the EPA and added structural safety in case of rollover or was there too much wind noise in the cabin at high speed on the earlier '72 models.

I thought I have heard that it was the prior...wind noise in the cabin, buy was not sure?

During low-speed operation (now who does that in a Corvette??) the exhaust gasses can, depending on wind directon, enter the cabin through the open back window. Now as to whether that was discovered by the Feds, or Chevrolet decided to CYA -- I have no clue. I suspect advancing noise standards may have had somethng to do with it as well. I believe those same standards did away with the open element air cleaner, but there is more to that story -- called pre-heated air.

[Glen C.]

Re: 1973 Rear Window

Thanks everyone. I thought it was a bit strange. The car sold for good money though I doubt the buyer knew anything was amiss.

[Robert R.]

Re: 1973 Rear Window

Consider also that by eliminating the window tray and having the window stationary, it did reduce parts cost / labor to manufacturing the car (just like the elimination of the fiber optics two years earlier).

Then they could also spin that the luggage area increased...