Window Louvers

[fmi]

Let us know when you find one. I would love to have one too. Phoenix summers are brutal.

[NoMoShocks]

As Godiva said, properly fitted, the louvers have little more effect on visibility than the printed defroster conductors. I think most people who are objecting just don't like the retro look going back to the 70s. I say if it is OK for Mustangs, it is fine for a Prius.

I most likely will remove the wiper. Many louver designs rise high enough to let the wiper work under them, but I think I would rather have a lower profile louver, and the louver would pretty much make the need for a wiper unnecessary.

[Godiva]

That's true. I never used the rear wiper on my NIssan. When I washed the car, I opened the louver up (it had a hinge at the top) and cleaned the windows. After the car was dry I screwed it back down into place and that was that.

It may be retro 70s but as was said, if Mustangs can do it *I* should be able to do it if I want. Problem? No item exists for me to buy. I guess rear louvers for Prii is just too small of a niche market.

[TheForce]

Hey NoMoShocks I've been looking at that pic all day and I can now say that although they look kind of weird on the Prius they also look very cool. It gives the Prius a retro look. I like them.

[timcarlos]

Not a comment on louvers, rather on the visibility out the back of the GenII Prius; I've read several posts about it and can't say that I understand the visibility issue. When I look into the rear view mirror, the entire mirror is filled with the rear window view. I can immediately recognize that there is a vehicle behind me and, as I don't need to read a license plate that might be on their front bumper, the view serves the purpose.

As for any lateral blind spots in that mirror, that is what the two side mirrors are for, to take up the slack of the middle rear view mirror. With the side mirrors adjusted properly, the inside of the side mirrors should start providing a side view from the point where the middle mirror leaves off. In other words, if someone were standing behind your vehicle and positioned at the left or right edge of the middle mirror's view, the side mirrors should begin to pick up that person's image at the inside edge of the side mirror. As such, the side mirror picks up the view from the edge of the middle mirror's view and into the lane beside you, virtually eliminating the need to crane your head over your shoulder before changing lanes.

Although this method isn't how I personally adjust my side mirrors, it is a good example of what I've tried to explain here. Rear View Mirrors Adjustment - Blind Spot Fix - Free Mechanic Advice - Car Repair - Popular Mechanics. Try it, it is much safer than having all three mirrors aimed at the same focal point or having the side mirrors pointing down the sides of the vehicle.

On another point, because of the height of the rear window, some might say that they cannot see if there is a child on a tricycle behind them but I can't say that I've ever encountered a hatchback that permits that kind of visibility. On sedans the size of that body style has gotten smaller but the height profile of trunks has risen to be able to provide more vertical trunk space. As such, one cannot see a tricycle behind those cars either.

[qbee42]

It's the same with vans and pickup trucks; you can't see down behind you. My Honda CRX was the same. It had the same Kammback body, without the lower plastic window. Later CRXs added the lower window. With the Prius and its backup camera, you have that spot covered too.

Tom

[NoMoShocks]

I have figured out the contact information for the factory that makes the louvers, so I am going to start a poll to see who all would buy these. I figure I could have some bargaining power with the factory if I has say 10 people interrested, so if you want one becuase you like the retro look or you live in Arizona, please respond to the poll. I will be asking would you buy one for $150 and would you buy one for $250, but not sure I would pass the full details along to the manufacturer, as I want mine for about $150.

[bestmapman]

Originally Posted by NoMoShocks

I have figured out the contact information for the factory that makes the louvers, so I am going to start a poll to see who all would buy these. I figure I could have some bargaining power with the factory if I has say 10 people interrested, so if you want one becuase you like the retro look or you live in Arizona, please respond to the poll. I will be asking would you buy one for $150 and would you buy one for $250, but not sure I would pass the full details along to the manufacturer, as I want mine for about $150.

What factory is it. If they do plastic work some of us may want to have some other stuff made.

[NoMoShocks]

It is Willpak Industries in Niagra Falls, NY. They also do vacume forming. They make a lot of louvers our of ABS plastic too, but I am not interrested in those type for may car.

Some of their other products are hood scoops and the like.

www.willpak.com

[Godiva]

Why don't you post your doctored Prius with louvers picture on the poll so people can see what it might look likt?