quaterlights

[sawood12]

Was having a very good look round a 968 in the car park at work the other day on my way back from the bacon butty van and noticed that they have different quaterlight windows than our 944's. Our 944 quaterlights are fitted into the rubber seal whereas on a 968 they appear to be bonded onto the chassis apeture with a flush rubber seal to fill in the gap. It means the whole window is flush with the side of the car and looks much much better and more modern. Also I noticed the vertical strip between the quaterlight window and the door window is body coloured rather than black on our cars. On balance that whole area looks much better and more modern. Would be a very nice update for our cars.

Anyone fitted these 968 quaterlight windows to a 944?

 

[Peter Empson]

A few of us looked at this a little while ago, but as soon as you get the two cars side by side you'll see the rear wing has a different shape window cut out, so it would be a really major job. I agree it does look much neater and more modern, although being critical the glass no longer lines up (the drivers window would need to be moved further out to match it and get the perfect look).

 

[Black_JPN]

Would it must be possible to get a bonded piece made to measure? Or would the cost be prohibitive? I'm thinking of the sorts of outfits who put windows in panel vans etc?

ETA - These guys do made to measure: http://www.vansport.co.uk
(I've emailed them with a PET diagram pic too, see what they say...)

 

[Peter Empson]

That's a really interesting idea. I guess the only problem is whether or not the original glass will still be suitable when mounted flush. You could perhaps use plastic windows as one offs are dead easy to make, but then they would have a fairly short life expectancy.

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: Peter Empson

A few of us looked at this a little while ago, but as soon as you get the two cars side by side you'll see the rear wing has a different shape window cut out, so it would be a really major job. I agree it does look much neater and more modern, although being critical the glass no longer lines up (the drivers window would need to be moved further out to match it and get the perfect look).

Shame. Are you sure this wasn't an optical illusion due to the painted black border around the quaterlight window? I'm guessing the window would be larger as it has to fit over the top of the apeture lip instead of inside it.

The rear body panel part numbers are different (944.503.903.04 for 944 rhs and 944.503.903.02 944 lhs) but there are differences around the sill area. Would be interesting to compare the shape the two windows. Might enquire as the the cost of one from a breakers and if it is cheap enough just get one and see.

 

[random hero]

I looked into this myself a few years ago ,the window is a completely different shape at the bottom and the only way we could see of doing it properly was to cut the window frame out and stitch a 968 top 1/4 section in.

 

[Black_JPN]

[FONT=arial"]Interesting, quick, friendly reply back from VanSport:

[FONT=arial"]Anything is possible, I assume they are curved and not flat? and assume that they would need to be 'encapsulated' with the moulding? [FONT=arial"]We are only able to make a minimum order of 32 pairs, with set-up costs this would take around 3-6 months and cost well over £6000 cost to us, if you would like to take on the 32 pairs and perhaps sell them to other interested parties we would be prepared to look further into it, our mark-up would be around 15%

So, they can do it but with the set-up costs etc it would be pricey. We'd need 32 committed people in for at least £187.50 (which I think is good value, provided it didn't rise) or maybe it could be an avenue a parts co. could pursue?

 

[Fen]

I also looked at it a long time ago as it's one of the true improvements of the 968 - no-go as others have said.

In terms of the black strip - are you sure, Scott? Possibly a CS only thing if it is, but TBH that looks rubbish. Look at any modern car and the bit between the front and rear windows is black because otherwise on light colours especially it breaks up the lines horribly. It's easliy removed if you don't like it and it will be red inderneath as its only satin black over the base colour.

 

[Peter Empson]

I have way too much time on my hands...

This shows the difference in shape quite well.

 

[sawood12]

Ah, you can see from that photo that the bottom edge is a different shape. Must be one of those things that makes the 968 an 80% all new car over the 944!! Oh, well that scuppers that one then.

I agree that on a 944 the body coloured rear door frame wouldn't look good, but I think it looks nice on the 968 - I guess its in combo with the flush window.

I guess on the custom made thing it feels a bit steep for a minor cosmetic improvement. Don't forget you'd also need custom made rubber strip. I was just thinking about it on the basis it would have been minimal costs if the 968 parts could be used.

Having said that - given the 968 quaterlight is a different shape but only in terms of there being excess material on the bottom edge and a longer rear edge, would it be cheaper to have 968 windows ground to fit a 944. The front, top and most of the rear edges would be the right size and angles and once you've ground down the bottom edge and the bottom rear corner you should be there. A bit of the black paint to correct the border (I believe you can get that black paint in a can) and the 968 rubber strip can be trimmed to size.

Anyone know anyone with glass grinding capability?