One look at the rear convertible window in my new cloth top and I immediately wanted to replace the wavy plastic with a folding back glass. Of course, the glass rear window was not available for the Mustang convertible until the ’67 model. But that hasn’t prevented the aftermarket from coming to the rescue. For example, Robbins Auto Top offers a ’65-’66 folding back glass window, as sold by many Mustang parts vendors.
In addition to looking better, the glass lasts considerably longer. Anybody who has ever cared for a plastic rear window knows about “swirl marks” from cleaning. Using up and down or straight across strokes minimizes the wear, but like Kevin Hartman at Convertible Top Guys says, “Most people don’t realize that every time they touch the plastic, they are wearing it more and more.”
Since I replaced my old vinyl convertible top with a longer lasting cloth top, I also wanted a longer lasting rear back glass. Otherwise, my rear window would be worn out when my canvas top still looked like new. I had originally installed a plastic rear window in my ’65 convertible with plans to upgrade to a folding back glass later. To my surprise, I had to start over with a top cut especially for the folding glass. Due to the smaller area of the glass, these rear windows use a different top than the top used for the larger plastic rear windows.
Here are the steps to install a folding back glass in a Robbins cloth top on a ’65-’66 Mustang convertible. Installing a folding rear window glass seems elementary. The installer staples the window to the upper and lower bows. However, the really difficult part of the installation is convertible top adjustment, which is a job for professionals. Special thanks to Troy & Christy Anderson at “Troy’s Upholstery” in Amarillo, Texas.
1 Troy Anderson had already...
1 Troy Anderson had already installed the Robbins cloth convertible top for our how-to article in the May 2012 issue. We arrived to photograph the installation of the rear window glass.
2 The plastic rear window...
2 The plastic rear window (top) is wavy compared to the flat folding back glass. The flat glass translates to a much cleaner appearance.
3 To start, measure and mark...
3 To start, measure and mark the center of the rear window with chalk.
4 Then chalk the factory...
4 Then chalk the factory indentation by marking the middle of the top bow.
5 Unzip the "zipper flap"...
5 Unzip the "zipper flap" from the top part of the folding glass rear window, then staple it to the top bow.
6 On a workbench, position...
6 On a workbench, position the lower bow (also called the lower tack strip) into alignment with the lower part of the glass rear window assembly.
7 Align the mid-point of...
7 Align the mid-point of the lower bow with the mid-point (defined by the small cut) of the center of the bottom of the window assembly.
8 Starting at the center...
8 Starting at the center and moving out to either end, staple the bottom fabric of the rear window glass to the lower bow (tack strip).
9 Troy's wife, Christy, holds...
9 Troy's wife, Christy, holds the rear glass while Troy lines up the rear window to zip into place at the top.
10 These oblong holes in...
10 These oblong holes in the lower bow locate screws to hold the top in place.
11 Cut the rear window's...
11 Cut the rear window's fabric on the inside opposite each oblong hole in the lower bow.
12 These screws securely...
12 These screws securely fix the bottom bow to the back of the convertible top well.
13 In addition to a bow at...
13 In addition to a bow at the top and a bow at the bottom, there is a short bow (tack strip) on each side under each "sail panel." Staples and screws, through these oblong holes, also pull the top tight.
14 Drill a 1/8-inch hole...
14 Drill a 1/8-inch hole into the center of the upper bow and secure with a rivet.
15 Attach this hook as a...
15 Attach this hook as a safety to catch the rear glass in an accidental fall.
16 The rear window is now...
16 The rear window is now installed, but the hard part is adjusting the top for a taut fit. Adjustment involves removing and reinstalling staples and is a job for professionals.
17 Robbins affixes this sticker...
17 Robbins affixes this sticker on the glass to warn users to unzip and lay the glass in the well before lowering the top.