I had the passenger side quarter window on my 87 GT crack on me probably with a little help from local children.
I hated it and I didn't want to spend the money to buy new ones so here is my fix. I used a dremmel tool to cut
out the window and went to a trim shop and bought trim. fast and easy and I think looks great so I did the drivers side which had a good 1/4 window but oh well. In fact since I cut out the windows I have had at least 2 people a day ask me what kind of car
this is. Total cost was $13 for trim.

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1986 SE 4 cyl, 5spd
1987 GT T-Tops
1987 GT 5 spd
1988 SE T-Tops

Cool Fix/Mod, I like it , in-genius detailed work . Maybe I can still fix the set in the shop....Thanks for the post....

Here are some pics of the trim used. As you can see the trim has edges on the inside
that grip the 1/4 window so there is no adhesive needed just push the trim down on the
window. Although it can be removed it does take some effort to pull the trim off the window.

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1986 SE 4 cyl, 5spd
1987 GT T-Tops
1987 GT 5 spd
1988 SE T-Tops

Great mod, I like the look! What kind of "trim shop" can I purchase the trim you used, and does it retain its shape around the corners?
Thanks!
Tom

Thanks guys. I got the trim from a local auto trim & ulpholstery shop. Not sure what they call the trim but
print a picture of the closeup and show it to the trim shop and they will probably know what it is. It does keep
its shape in the corners as it has a metal backing inside of the trim.

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1986 SE 4 cyl, 5spd
1987 GT T-Tops
1987 GT 5 spd
1988 SE T-Tops

Thanks for the info and great pics! Aloha.

quote Originally posted by Nextel dude:

Good stuff, It looks very nice, I just wonder how it effects the car's aerodynamics (if at all)

some guy up at golden gate fieros showed up with his fiero this exact same way over a year ago. Thought they were so clean and new.. i couldnt believe it... haha too good to be true, didn't know they were cut out until i got up close (it was at night)

that sounds like a really good idea...a family member of mine has the spider web cracking going on with his, i'l show him some pics.

my problem starts before that though...i dont have the windows at all...lol
since we're on the topic of designing, and quarter windows, i have a chopped fastback, and no windows to fit. does anybody have an idea for to fill that hole? i dont really care if there's a window there or not...
thanks.

Good question on aerodynamics...have you noticed any difference at highway speeds, e.g., add'l noise, buffeting, etc? Thanks!

Only thing I have noticed since cutting the windows is the temp gauge is reading lower.
Is my car really running cooler due to more air flow over the vents? My gauge says so.
Also 99% of my driving is between 30 & 70 so areo changes due to cutting out the quarter
windows probably won't be very apparent and I haven't noticed any changes at highway speeds
and no noises

Chuck

Looks great! I might have to try that on my '88 as well. My panels are toast, and I just can't justify coughing up 2-300 bucks for new panels. Thanks for the tip.
-Tom

Thanks for the update Chuck, I copied the pixs, now the search for the trim locally! Aloha - Tom

Great work.

That trim is the same that they use to hold the seat onto the metal frame of many riding mowers as well. I got mine from a local uphoulstery shop as well. (It was so small they did'nt even charge me for it.)

I would imagine that the air rushing through the window at highway speeds could be creating a "draft" over the vent which could be pulling air from under the car into the engine bay and through the vent. Probably a little better that the air comming over the top of the roof when the windows are solid.

Sounds like a bonus.

tom,

here is a pic of the bit I used. I couldn't zoom in tight enough for you to see the "ribs" that twirl around the end of the bit.
I picked this one up at a flea market so I don't have any reference to the name of the bit. Good news is that you have plenty
of practice area to use before making the "money" cut. Not hard at all just watch that the bit doesn't slip out of the cutting
area and leaves scratches on the good area. good luck and any more questions please feel free to ask.



Chuck

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1986 SE 4 cyl, 5spd
1987 GT T-Tops
1987 GT 5 spd
1988 SE T-Tops

Thanks for the photo of the bit. No luck at two local upholstry shops here in Honolulu, but one of the guys said to try this place that sells upholstry material and stuff for boats, so I'll check out that place on Mon. Thanks again. Tom