Duster Rear Window Louvers

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Well since 73AbodEE is giving up, I am continuing on with this sabatical.. I finally got the "F" body louvers and I'am going to carve on them.. First picture is what they look like. The second picture is a template (in Paper) of the window laying on top of the louver.. Now I really would like to use the louvers that are reversed, but I'll use what I have.. Hopefully I can put something together that will be useable for a mold or a prototype.. I'll keep everyone up to date as best I can thru my travels.. I'm open to suggestions If anyone wants to chime in..

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wow Tim , it looks like you are getting busy. very cool.

its not that i gave up, i just really need some money right now...

they are for sale ...hint hint LOL
 
Okay I'll lighten up on the comments, understand.... But I've got an idea and I think I can make it work.. (famous last words) Just have to figure out how get it to look right... Good Luck on your sale!

19..
 
I'm really starting to think finding someone with a CnC machine to spit out even a wooden version of one that could then be fiberglass molded is the best option.
 
lol The subject line of this read reads, "Duster Rear Window Louvers" but somewhere along the line it went in the direction of side louvers instead!
 
Well we figured out that the back window louvers were going to be harder to make than the side ones...or so we thought.. Just getting the side ones figured out has been a chore.. But we're trudging thru. I haven't had the time to cut the "F" body louvers yet, just got back from traveling. But as soon as I get one cut I'll post what it turns out like... Good or bad..
19..
 
Well I started in and cut up the right side. It's only a start, there is a lot of detail work I'm going to have to do.. But if I can get these to look good and find someone who can use them as a mold for fiberglass, might just work.. I'll continue on, just wanted to show you the ruff of the right side for now...

19...
 

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the lovers in link for older thread look lot like the factory louvers on my uncales '79 valorie road runner sep looks like its missing the bottum louver,.an yes the trunk lid did hit the bottum one every time you raised trunk lid!! and it came with the side louvers someone in posts above is cutting up to make work...ill see if i can post some pics for yall
 
Nice job, 19. Lookin good. Keep us up to date! You know we're all pictures lovers.
 
I've been traveling the last 3 weeks.. Finally home for this week.. It may be a little longer than I anticipated, but I'm gonna get'em done one way or another..
 
Still traveling.. And it's been frick'in cold here.. I sorta put'm on hold till the temps hit at least 45 or 50 deg.. I haven't given up yet..
 
I got bored over the weekend. This is just the first draft, but I must say it turned out really well for just free-handing the entire louver. Once it was resting on the car, it shows where I need to tweak the design.




It gives me a good starting point on making a perfect set for my '73 340 Duster (in the picture) and my '74 Duster...and maybe the other 6 or so A-bodies in my collection :D
 
Looks nice. I like the vertical orientation a bit better I think. ^^ Keep us up to date.
 
I got tired of waiting, Ive started working on a mold. I will be bagging carbon to make these. Ill keep you guys posted
Andrew
 
74DartSwinger360 said:
Those look great would love to see a final product and what you decide to make them out of too
Click to expand...

The first draft was built out of some scrap sheet metal I had laying in the corner of the garage. Took me about 5 hours to cut and form the louvers in the picture, that was done entirely by hand (with old fashioned shears, tongs, and using my knee to create the slight curve). I could speed that up a bit, If I switch to using my Air Shears, and have a template drawn out for each piece.

If I can figure out an effective (reproduce able) method of assembling them, I'll probably make them out of Stainless Steel or Sheet Metal. Unless I could figure out how to make a mold and cast them in plastic.

The sheet metal version (first draft) is extremely light, considering the fact that it is metal.

I'm going to ask my dad for his thoughts on making them more "assembly friendly", since he has about 30+ more years of experience than I do in making these kinds of odd custom/hand made parts.

I'll also be making a Rear Window Louver soon too.
 
OK,
I have a basic design that seems to work well. Mockup was with foamcore board and plastic laminate. nice and light and easy to cut.
Once I could take measurements with the mockup on the car, I started on the "mold". Its a one sided form, essentially. Once Im done I'll stick the whole thing in a vacuum-bag and bag down the carbon.
More as it happens.
Andrew
 

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^just curious whether you checked operation of the trunk with your setup (since the originals basically looked like the bottom slat was missing to allow the trunk to open)...
 
Made a little more progress over the last couple of days.
Dont ever let anyone tell you, you dont need math after school.
Andrew
 

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