Pop out rear quarter windows - Are they Cal-look?

[Martin S.]

Since I have the glass out of my 68, I remembered I have a set of pop out windows stashed away along with some new seals and hardware. I dug them out and realized I have two sets so I'm cleaning them up trying to figure out which ones are in the best shape. I wondered about the history of them in the Beetle. Were they considered desirable on a Cal-look bug? With one piece front windows, and no A/C, they would be welcome in hot weather. I've noticed that VW put them on US cars but not on Canadian cars as far as I know. What about the rest of the world? And were they available for early small window cars,  as I only remember seeing late big window ones. Any comments?

[Fastbrit]

You can get them for as far back as split-window Bugs...

'Are they Cal Look?' – what a question! Do YOU like them, that's all that matters, and from your words about how welcome they would be in hot weather, I think you've answered your own question...

[Martin S.]

Were they on UK issued Bugs? As an option? I don't know if VW had options or you just bought whatever was on the lot.

[Zach Gomulka]

Pop outs do not add or subtract from the style. They do make a big difference in comfort, so I say if you want/need the extra airflow then by all means do it.
Whatever you choose, just make sure all windows either have trim or all do not have trim.

[Martin S.]

The trim aspect to them concerned me but since my car has both chrome and black trim, it won't be a big deal. I thought of blacking out the chrome on them. And is it really chrome? It almost looks like polished aluminum. Anybody tried repops? http://www.jbugs.com/product/113898400A.html?Category_Code=vw-exterior-parts_12

[Zach Gomulka]

It is polished aluminium.

[Martin S.]

Thanks Zach. That explains why one of mine has a dull aluminum look to it. What's the best way to bring back the shine? Is steel wool ok?

[Neil Davies]

Mine have the trim blacked out. Thing is, I've no idea how it was done - I swapped my regular ones with Roland from DAS via Mike Walravens, and I believe that the twins had them done when they built Rolands car previously in blue.

[Martin S.]

Looks very clean. I've always like that 80s Porsche look which is what mine kinda has too. Nice! I imagine that aluminum would be straight forward to paint. Easy to remove the pop outs whenever.

[Bryan67]

Its actually anodized aluminum.

[Paul Bahnstormerz]

Evidently the rear windows of a cal looker should be 'tinted for privacy'


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[Fastbrit]

Were they on UK issued Bugs? As an option? I don't know if VW had options or you just bought whatever was on the lot.

Like all manufacturers, VW offered the customer the chance to specify certain extras at the time of order. Many were dealer fitted prior to delivery. Pop-outs were available but not a popular option in the UK.

[Martin S.]

My dad drove back to the dealership to ask for seat belts for his new 67 kombi after he bought it.

[Martin S.]

My favourite pop out was the hinged rear window kit available back in the 80s. It used the stock rear glass and added a hinge to it. You could leave it open like a hatchback and they showed a surf board sticking out in the ad. I remember thinking how I wish I could afford the hundred bucks or so. Does anyone in Cali remember that idea? I don't see one googling it.

[Sepi]

Here

[Martin S.]

Hooray! awesome stuff there

[Rick Meredith]

Cal Look or not, I added them to my '67 about 1981.

It gets pretty hot in the OC during the summer and vent wings with pop-outs.

MY DD is an '82 320i and the pop outs are open much more than they're closed... I only wish it had vent wings too but it does have better fresh air ventilation than a Beetle.

[Jeff68]

If you're a Cal-Look purist or like traditional Cal-look - then pop outs that are blacked out are probably more Cal-Look. If you're hard-core Cal-look than maybe they're not.  If YOU like them or need them I say put them on with the finish you like best! Cal-Look VW's to me are high performance functional vehicles, pop-outs are very functional and enhance the experience of driving a VW in hot weather. I live in Florida and I have a pair of pop-outs I'm putting on my '68.  Just my $0.02

Question - What's the easiest way to get the old rubber seals off the pop-out frame? - the seals are old, dry, & all cracked on the pop-outs I have and I need to replace them.

[Martin S.]

There are a couple of vids on youtube showing doing the rubber seal replacement. Most don't have a problem removing the old seal, maybe just use a pick. Be sure to scrape and blow out debris out of the channel. Everyone seems to bitch about how long it took to install the new seals, but mine were done in 10 minutes each or so. I soaked them completely in spray silicone lube and they slipped right in place. It says on the silicone spray that it is good for rubber door seals to keep them from sticking so I can't see a problem doing this. Mine are tinted with 20% window tint and ready to install.

[Zach Gomulka]

Cal Look or not, I added them to my '67 about 1981.

It gets pretty hot in the OC during the summer and vent wings with pop-outs.

MY DD is an '82 320i and the pop outs are open much more than they're closed... I only wish it had vent wings too but it does have better fresh air ventilation than a Beetle.

That's funny I daily a To#¤ta Tundra and my missus has a Honda Element, when I'm driving the pop outs on those are almost always open as well.

[Nico86]

Cal-look or not, pop-outs + door vent windows are the best things ever. I'm driving in southern France with this and even when summer is awfully hot you don't need AC to be comfortable. And in winter or when it's raining it's the best combo to avoid mist/steam on the inside of the windshield.

[Martin S.]

I'm missing the 3-per side sheet metal screws that hold the latch to the body. Does anyone know the size or if it's the same size as the ones used to hold the visor in place, or another source?

[ovaldriver56]

Did paint mine black



and tinted windows for privacy