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Bugeye side curtains

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Hot Wings

Hot Wings

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Bought a pair of side curtain frames recently and when they arrived it turns out they are steel, not aluminum as I remember I had when I last drove this car 25+ years ago. The side curtains were among the parts that were burned long ago. Since I will need these for at least half of the year here this seemed like a nice indoor house project to get taken care of before I get back to the serious restoration at the cold shop.

What were the original side curtains with sliding windows made of?
What version of the side curtains will the new seals that are available fit?
I'd like to have glass* made to fit rather than the plexi because of frost on the windows in the morning. Are the windows interchangeable between the various original and aftermarket side curtains?

* Yes, I can get tempered glass made - and - think I can install it without surgery to the frames.
 
The factory side curtains were just a steel rod frame with vinyl sewn around them. Common factory option, I think, side curtains were 'Weathershields' and probably what you are thinking of. Quality aluminum frame with a felt channel that limited rattle. There were several company's making them back" in the day" though.

Most side curtains lead a hard life that might not work well with glass, IMHO.

Kurt.
 
You might have a struggle putting tempered glass into the aluminum frames as they don't disassemble. The plexiglass windows are inserted in the frames by bowing them slightly so they can be slipped in their channels. Perhaps it could be done by cutting the frame at the corners of the leading edge, removing the plexi windows, inserting the glass ones, and TIGing the frame back together, but I've never seen it done.
 
BTW, if anyone "knows" how to put the felt in, let me know. I have a set that needs it done....well like for a couple years at least! Scott in CA
 
Good info but there has been more on the subject somewhere. Perhap's other forum's. The saying of it is far easier than actually doing it as I remember. Seems you want to come up with something other that the window to hold it while the glue dry's.

Kurt.
 
HealeyRick said:
You might have a struggle putting tempered glass into the aluminum frames as they don't disassemble.
Click to expand...

After doing some basic cleaning I'm feeling like a bit of a dunce. The window frames I purchased are in fact aluminum. The large red corrosion spots from the rusted bolts fooled me.

Making some assumptions about the alloy, and trusting that my quick calculations are reasonable, it should be just possible to bend both the frame and glass below their yield point to get enough clearance to fit the glass. If not I don't mind slicing the frame open on one corner as plan "B".

On the other thread mention was made about a narrow and wide track. My memory says that both window portions were moveable, but that was a long time ago and I might be confusing it with the Mini. The tracks on the frames I have visually appear to be the same width?
 
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