Anyone have an original convertible back glass for a '69 Convertible? I need to see the date code!

davepl · Poncho Master!

Anyone have an original convertible back glass for a '69 Convertible? I need to see the date code!

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I might have something up my sleeve, give me a couple days.

pwm9106 · Member

Have two in garage but from a seventy convertible ! Was told y0u cannot install to replace plastic window i guess not worth the work and material! Phil lmk

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

pwm9106 wrote:
Have two in garage but from a seventy convertible ! Was told y0u cannot install to replace plastic window i guess not worth the work and material! Phil lmk

Just for curiosity sake, can you post photo's of the etching on the 70 rear window glass that your have? It might provide some clues.

And no, you cannot remove the plastic window and put the glass one in. The glass one is sealed in the assembly including top material around it, and it is separate from the convertible top.

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

There's a 69 Parisienne convertible in the local Pick n Pull. I presumed it was an original top & rear window, but not so sure after seeing the zipper to undo the top of the rear window to lower the top. So, not sure how helpful this is, unless someone can confirm the 69 tops had the zipper for the rear window. My 70 did not.

Or, can someone decode the etching. I suspect it's a later top.

-- Edited by seventy2plus2 on Saturday 17th of August 2024 07:28:29 PM

North · Guru

That back glass isnt factory, its a later replacement. Factory installed glass used the GM rather the glass manufacturers trademark names. Solex Herculite is the PPG name, if this was PPG made but GM factory installed it would say Soft-Ray. If it was non tinted it would say flo-lite if GM installed and Herculite if replacement.

AS2 just means that it is side or rear glass as opposed to the windshield (AS1). M27.4 decodes as: 27= tinted side or rear glass (20 if not tinted) and the .4 means 4/32 thick

26109 decodes as: 26 is the plant (crestline OH) and 109 means oct (10) and the nine is the last digit of the year so 69, 79, 89 etc. which ever year it was it couldnt jive with 69 model year production anyhow.

Also rear curtain windows from the factory never had zippers. I have two 69 convertibles with factory rear glass but Im out of town till Labor Day. Ill take pictures of both, one is soft ray and the other clear. The convertible rear glass was factory tinted if the car had tinted side glass.

North · Guru

Please note that the date and plant decoding of my last post applies only to PPG. For LOF the plant and date codes are to the right of the LOF logo.

Example 11JV The number signifies the plant, (a blank plant code signifies plant 8 which for some reason was not identified). The date code is the two letters:
First letter is month;
Jan=N
Feb=X
Mar=L
Apr=G
May=J
Jun=I
Jul=U
Aug=T
Sep=A
Oct=Y
Nov=C
Dec=V

Second letter is year, thirteen year cycle:
A=53,66,79
Z=54,67,80
X=55,68,81
V=56,69,82
T=57,70,83
N-58,71,84
Y=59,72,85
U=60,73,86
L=61,74,87
I=62,75,88
C=63,76,89
G=64,77,90
J-65,78,91

North · Guru

I do not know how to decode the DCL (did I get the letters right) markings.

Jacob · Addicted!

i can take a look tomorrow and see if my rubby still has factory glass

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

North wrote:
That back glass isnt factory, its a later replacement. Factory installed glass used the GM rather the glass manufacturers trademark names. Solex Herculite is the PPG name, if this was PPG made but GM factory installed it would say Soft-Ray. If it was non tinted it would say flo-lite if GM installed and Herculite if replacement.

Re the PPG logo, I know of 2 Baltimore built 1969 GTO hardtops that have original PPG etched tinted glass in them.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Fwiw, here's the stencil on my 69 back glass. No idea if it's original or aftermarket. The glass curtain has a zipper but I've never undone it.

On the zippered curtain: what function does it provide? Is it supposed to be undone to lower the top (never done by me)? Or is it just to allow it ot be opened for a more open feel with the top up?

Pritch · Guru

Mark, I believe you are correct on both points regarding the convertible top zipper. My MX5 convertible top instructions say to unzipper the plastic window before lowering the top. This way, the plastic window can lay relatively flat when the top is lowered to avoid putting wrinkles in the plastic window. I rarely followed the procedure, and, when the plastic eventually cracked, I replaced it with a glass window. My '64 CS top does not have a zipper, and I have not had any problems with the plastic window when lowering or raising the top. There are, however, minor crinkles where the window has to fold. Over time, I suppose the crinkles will crack as the plastic gets brittle but, since my top is relatively new, I do not suspect I will have any problems any time soon.

Jacob · Addicted!

mine dose not appear to have a zipper so no idea if original

1000009495[1].jpg 1000009493[1].jpg

-- Edited by Jacob on Wednesday 21st of August 2024 10:33:49 PM

Jacob · Addicted!

Safety plate
as2 vz
solid tempered
m53 with a square lof

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Jacob wrote:
mine dose not appear to have a zipper so no idea if original

-- Edited by Jacob on Wednesday 21st of August 2024 10:33:49 PM

If present, the zipper would be above the glass, running the entire length of the top of the glass from side to side. Pretty tough to miss.

Jacob · Addicted!

no zipper on mine

ABC123 · Uber Guru

Not the best picture but take a look at this !

This is a Fall of 1968 built, 1969 convertible with the original top.

The stamp is actually backwards when viewed from the outside.

Photoshopped pic below, (mirror image)

-- Edited by ABC123 on Thursday 29th of August 2024 06:56:47 PM

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

For what it's worth, I contacted a buddy of mine in New Jersey, he has numerous 1970 US Pontiac's, including a couple convertibles with original tops / back windows.

Car #1 was an early assembly, circa September 1969. Note that it is "Safety Plate".

Car 1.jpg

Car #2 has a later assembly date, January 1970. Looks same except now called "Safety Flo-Lite".

Car 2.jpg

pwm9106 · Member

away this week will look soon!

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

The original author of this thread hasn't been on since Aug 18. He must have got his answer elsewhere

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I came across a 69 Parisienne convertible at a yard today, I'd say it has the original back glass. It was tough getting a photo as it was quite bright out, but it's LOF glass. I've shared this with the originator of this thread. Using the system provided earlier decode the TX date code, it's August 1968.

-- Edited by seventy2plus2 on Monday 7th of October 2024 09:57:18 PM