Flush Mount Glass

[Bluescrawler]

Anyone out there ever try to do flush mount glass for their classic Duster? I am doing some slight mods along the way with my car to give it a bit more modern feel; changing out door handles for something more stream lined and shaving the drip rails, marker lights and lock cylinders.

Well I was thinking of flush mounting the windshield and back glass like the new cars and eliminating the trim.

Anybody out there try such a thing? If so I would like to hear your story or even better yet; some pics of your final result.

If not... well then I guess I'm in unchartered territory and would invite your comments or suggestions.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[player1up]

I know that it's been done on old camaros and such, but never heard of it being done on an a-body....special seal and maybe even different glass

http://classicautoglassinnovations.com/

along the lines of stream lining the body here are some other things I've seen or thought about doing:
1. 70's style corvette door handles molded into the top edge of the door ( might have similar curvature )
2. for 73-76 dusters, remove the tail light bezels and flush mount the lights like a 70-72
3. Bumpers... bring them as close to the body as possible and weld them to the brackets and fill the bumper bolt holes

Shaving the drip rails would be cool ( seen it done ) but introduces some other concerns and not too much return for the amount of work needed to do it. Very subtle appearance change for a ton of work, but we've all done that
I shaved the marker lights on my 73 and no one even notices...not even the cops :thumleft:

 

[res1vw21]

I am thinking about doing it to my aspen. There was a decent article in hotrod a few months back explaining how to. I think it looks great when done.

 

[player1up]

Ah, Just was thinking about how to get the headliner to stay up in front and back if the stock seal was gone??

 

[Bluescrawler]

Ah, Just was thinking about how to get the headliner to stay up in front and back if the stock seal was gone??

Hmmm.. I hadn't thought about that yet. The car's still on the rotisserie and the interior isn't even on my mind yet. Good catch. I will have to look at it.

The tail light flush mount you were talking about is something I am looking at as well. My Duster is a 75.

Bumpers, yep, I'm gonna tuck 'em in too and get rid of those bumperette things as well.

I know the flush mount glass will be some trouble as I will have to raise the mounting surface to bring the glass up a bit which presents a bit of a challenge inside as well for the finishing touch. I guess I should chat with some glass installers.

I saw a Demon on here with the drip rails shaved and it looked great, subtle, but noticeable. I traded emails with the owner. He shared some tips and basically told me it was quite a job to complete... but the results are awesome.

Joe

 

[Bluescrawler]

I am thinking about doing it to my aspen. There was a decent article in hotrod a few months back explaining how to. I think it looks great when done.

I will look for that, you think it's available online?

Eh.. I'll google for it. Thanks for the tip.

Joe

 

[res1vw21]

that I don't know and it might have been street roder. Ill look. I get so many mags that I can't keep them straight.

 

[roosduster]

that I don't know and it might have been street roder. Ill look. I get so many mags that I can't keep them straight.

I believe it was Hot Rod also, because I don't get street rodder but I remember seeing that article.

 

[player1up]

Joe, Another concern is the rear glass lower molding, not a show stopper but there will have to be a thin strip of body between the glass and the trunk opening.

I did manage to find the tail light mod on the internet a while back but only have exterior photos. I'd imagine that the openings were closed up a bit and some attaching posts welded to the inside of the body to mount the tail lights...but who knows. I had a bunch of these type mods in mind for my project but the urge to complete and drive won in favor of spending even MORE time on body work that was " extra "

 

[rjsjea]

I considered this for about 2 minutes before seeing what is involved. I have heard of guys chopping the top on a car to lower the roof 3/4" vs having custom glass made. Custom windshield/back glass is SUPER EXPENSIVE.

Check this thread about Camaro glass
http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51096&highlight=flush+mount+glass

Also, I did the drip rails on my Demon. It was time consuming, but relatively straight forward. The trim that holds the weatherstripping in is yet to be figured out though....pic