Author Topic: Maybe not everyone’s style but…. (Read 2954 times)

b_hill_86 · « **on:** March 05, 2022, 10:01:14 PM »

I picked up a set of Cragar style (unsure if they’re actually cragar brand because they lack the badge) rear window louvers. I feel like they’re a love or hate thing. Or, some live the interpret and hate cragar style or vice versa. Regardless, I dig them and picked up a set for a reasonable price for my car.

I like 8” flakes better than 7s so I installed 8s but they’re obviously not correct for a 77. I’d like to go back to my rally IIs but I need tires first though. I like the ‘flakes and no Louvers which I feel makes the car very crisp and clean looking. I also feel like Rally’s and louvers give it a very 70s/early 80s grungy almost look which I also like. Either way, they come off if I change my mind. 60°+ in NW Ohio tomorrow so maybe I’ll take a maiden voyage for 2022.

rkellerjr · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2022, 05:36:52 AM »

I like them, not a personal preference to have them on my car but I appreciate them on others cars. Nice find.

b_hill_86 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2022, 04:14:24 PM »

Weather was in the upper 50s today which is a bit warmer than average so I got the car out for the first time this year for a quick trip to Walmart and snapped a few photos with the louvers installed. They need a few touch-ups but I’m happy with them overall.

FormTA · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2022, 09:34:33 PM »

Looks great! Yup, I took mine out as well. Saturday was awesome! I may have repaved a few roads with rubber...

scarebird · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2022, 10:08:10 PM »

nice - very period correct!

« **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2022, 10:08:10 PM »

b_hill_86 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2022, 07:56:59 AM »

Quote from: FormTA on March 07, 2022, 09:34:33 PM

Looks great! Yup, I took mine out as well. Saturday was awesome! I may have repaved a few roads with rubber...

Thanks for the kind words guys

76Tranz · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2022, 10:52:07 AM »

I think the louver looks nice on your car. Had one on my car for years (ABS), and it finally got old and weather cracked so I took it off and had my rear window tinted. Your car looks great with or without it...it keeps the sun out and offers a little more cool factor and privacy...good job.

b_hill_86 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2022, 11:43:01 AM »

Quote from: 76Tranz on March 08, 2022, 10:52:07 AM

I think the louver looks nice on your car. Had one on my car for years (ABS), and it finally got old and weather cracked so I took it off and had my rear window tinted. Your car looks great with or without it...it keeps the sun out and offers a little more cool factor and privacy...good job.

Hey thanks I appreciate it. One reason I considered them over looks was after adding A/C back on my car last year. I need to tweak the charge level but I figured reducing some sun through that huge window will help too.

Your car looks good too in your profile pic. 76s have really grown on me over the years. I’d love to have a 76 Formula someday.

roadking77 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2022, 01:02:05 PM »

I really like them. I like the wrap around style much better than the 3 piece jobs. I had them on my 82 bird, but then again half of the car was the rear glass! I also like the 8" wheels better than the 7s. Im like you, I have the 8s on my 77 but do have a set of 7in wheels just to be correct.

b_hill_86 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2022, 04:46:13 PM »

Same. My 7s are gold though. I’ve never repainted them nor mounted tires on them.

firebirdforrest · « **Reply #10 on:** March 25, 2022, 06:27:48 AM »

Look Great!

I was lucky enough to find a set of the Cragar Louvers a few years ago for a fair price. I think the wrap around styling looks best.
Mine don't have the emblem on either, from what I can tell latter in production the emblem was not used anymore.

Forrest

b_hill_86 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2022, 07:49:49 AM »

Quote from: firebirdforrest on March 25, 2022, 06:27:48 AM

Look Great!

I was lucky enough to find a set of the Cragar Louvers a few years ago for a fair price. I think the wrap around styling looks best.
Mine don't have the emblem on either, from what I can tell latter in production the emblem was not used anymore.

Forrest

Hey thanks! Also, good to know about the emblem not being on yours. Are they branded on the underside anywhere? I never did think to look at mine. I agree though, I prefer the wraparound style over the 3 piece look though those have grown on me a bit.

kentucky yeti · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2022, 05:14:52 AM »

It looks great! I run 8's on my '77 SE but I do have the original 7" flakes in the garage. I like both style louvers. I really can't pick one over the other. speaking of the old louvers. As for the new fake InterPart ones with the ABS stick-on side louvers- I know that is all that is available now, but I can't make myself like them.

kentucky yeti · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2022, 05:59:14 AM »

Quote from: Wallington on March 29, 2022, 05:41:31 AM

The 'fake' Interparts you talk of are most the likely the re-released and original company but cheaper quality Astra-Hammond louvres, now known as Willpak.

They are. I bought 10 of them, new in the box, 10-12 years ago from a resto shop that was closing. Unfortunately, for most people- that is all that is available. Willpak sells a cheap plastic 1-piece as well as the aluminum/ABS 3-piece. Both are poor imitations of the original louvers.

kentucky yeti · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2022, 10:06:02 AM »

Quote from: Wallington on March 29, 2022, 07:19:52 AM

Yep, wouldn't be so bad except they could make them the same as original or improve somehow with features of the popular types. But they don't, and they are still expensive.
Did your sets 10 years ago feature the ABS sides?

Yes. I didn't check them out before I bought them. When I opened them, I got a surprise. He had told me they were aluminum louvers. Of course, only the center piece was aluminum. I would think they could make the sides out of plastic and still be similar to the original ones, but maybe not.

« **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2022, 10:06:02 AM »

kentucky yeti · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2022, 05:46:34 AM »

Quote from: Wallington on March 29, 2022, 07:16:37 PM

The sides are copies of the originals other than being ABS instead of thin stamped sheet. I guess just cheaper to make and not required to paint.

These were 1/8" thick completely flat pieces that stick on. Basically they were decals. The originals, as you know, were rounded pieces that mated to the center. They were nothing remotely close to the original metal sides on the ones that I bought.

Sorry for the thread hijack, b_hill

b_hill_86 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2022, 07:22:21 AM »

:Not at all! No worries

firebirdforrest · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2022, 10:13:44 AM »

Quote from: b_hill_86 on March 25, 2022, 07:49:49 AM

Quote from: firebirdforrest on March 25, 2022, 06:27:48 AM
Look Great!

I was lucky enough to find a set of the Cragar Louvers a few years ago for a fair price. I think the wrap around styling looks best.
Mine don't have the emblem on either, from what I can tell latter in production the emblem was not used anymore.

Forrest

Hey thanks! Also, good to know about the emblem not being on yours. Are they branded on the underside anywhere? I never did think to look at mine. I agree though, I prefer the wraparound style over the 3 piece look though those have grown on me a bit.

From memory they only have a patent number or something, I will check again. Definitely not a manufactures name or brand.

Forrest

hakitup · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2022, 08:06:20 AM »

They look great

Tom H

« **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2022, 08:06:20 AM »

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Author Topic: Maybe not everyone’s style but…. (Read 2954 times)