Period Correct Louvers!

[Oiluj]

I answered a Craig's List add for some Z parts and picked-up a set of aluminum rear window louvers for only 20 bucks. They came with all hardware and don't even need to be re-finished!

These are the older curved slat type that rest outside the rear window seal and require screw mounting onto the hatch. (Not like the smaller ones sold by MSA that mount under the hatch rubber and rest on the glass).

I know some don't like the look, but I like keeping sun off the interior. Been looking for one of these for about 4 months and missed-out twice, but managed to snag this one before someone else beat me to it.

My insurer offers a discount with a third brake light, so I'm thinking of fabricating a third brake light that will mount under the top slat. More on that later after I figure out what to do and make a prototype.

[CNIXZGO]

I really need a set of louvers that dont require drilling into the hatch. They are hard to find good used ones. I thnk I'll just bite the bullet and buy new ones from MSA. I really lke the louvers look but if you poll all the guys here, it'll probably be 60-40 against Louvers!

[beandip]

I like the look of louvers and have a set like yours . One thing that they do is to help brake up the air flow over the rear of the car and reduce lift to some degree. Also by disturbing the flow of air this way it helps to keep the fumes from exhaust from entering the cabin area. I ran my set for about 2 years and there had been a set mounted prior to mine by the PO . The big down side of these is that they rattle like a marimba band on the hi-way , also mine wore a line down the center of the hatch glass where the center support touches. They do save the interior though and do not restrict your vision at all. I do prefer the look of the metal to those made of plastic, but this is just a matter of taste. Gary:rambo:

[mgood]

I have a set of aluminum ones that bolt on to the hatch. I have had them on since the summer of 1977. The only problem I have had is that the center rib cracked in the middle. I have not had any problem with the louvers damaging the window because mine have a rubber strip on the center rib. You can see some shots of the louvers on my car at me web site.

[sblake01]

I have the Chastain 'Shadow' louvers on my 78. They are aluminum and dont have a center rib. They have 2 rubber insulators on each of the five lower louvers and one in the middle of the top one. They are mounted without drilling and they don't rattle. They have a prop rod on either side to hold them up for cleaning the rear window. They were dealer installed in 1977 at as per the P.O. at Ontario Datsun and have done no damage to the window in those roughly 30 years.

[Galaxybj]

The rubber insulators mentioned above - how do they attach? I just got the louvers off ebay and they do not have the insulators mentioned. Yes, they are the Chastain Shadow louvers - decal is still on them. Any thoughts as to what could be used in place of the original insulators? Thanks in advance for ideas. -Bill-

[sblake01]

They just press into the holes in the louver. If you look at the attachment in post #6 you can see two of them at the top of each of the five lower slats about 10" or so on either side of the center. I don't know where you'd get replacements...maybe a hardware store?

[Arne]

I like the looks of the curved ones better than the Chastain, but no way would I drill holes in my tailgate for louvers, so if I were to add a set they'd have to be Chastain or some other brand that mounts the same way. Not real high on my priority list, but if I ever stumble across a set...

[Pleiner87]

I have the shadow shade with the two rubber cushions per slat, but after years of sun on it the rubber had dryrotted. What I did was cut some aquarium air tube about an inch long with a slit on one side and sliped it onto the slat where ever a cushion was.

[Galaxybj]

"They just press into the holes in the louver." - SBlake01 - That explains the notch in each louver at the location yours has the "button".

Thank you Arne and Pleiner87 for your replies also.

I too would not drill holes in the rear hatch, that is why I went with the Chastains way back when (non-hinged version) on my 5/71 Z. Over the years under the ownership of the people I sold it to in '84 the slats disappeared. I was very happy with finally getting another set - even if they are the "newer" version. If anyone finds just the slats and no mounting hardware for the non-hinged version - please let me know as I have the hardware still on the rear window for them and would like to have the louvers.