Window Louvers

[NoMoShocks]

I am so glad that warmer weather has begun to arrive. My mileage to and from work is getting back up to 50 MPH.

I am becoming more determined than ever to get a set of aluminum louvers for the rear window of my Prius. I have been trying to think of ways to fabricate a set. The metal bending doesn’t look that difficult to me, but the guys at the metal shop at my workplace seem to think attaching the louvers to the side rails would be difficult. On the other hand, they are not enthusiastic about the project like I am. To me, it seems if nothing else, I could use some sort of glue to assemble various pieces.

One idea would be to get a set from a car with a rear window size very close to the Prius’ rear window which is:
44 inches wide at the top,
44.75 inches wide at the base, and
24 inches from top to base.

I have found most many window louvers are sold under the trade name Astra Hammond, but I cannot find direct contact information for this company, or any retailers who have specifications for their sizes. They are only sold by car model. If anyone has contact information for Astra Hammond or the Manufacturer, or leads on other rear window louver manufacturers, please share.

I have also searched for an auto glass database that might describe the dimensions of the rear glass from various cars, but have not found anything like that either. If anyone know of or has access to auto glass dimensions, I would be interested to hear from you.

Anyone who has one of the following cars, and if the window size and shape, or even just the width look similar to Prius, please measure the width of the rear window area where a louver would rest at the top and the bottom as well as the height and post it here.

Some of the cars that state “flat center section from 3 piece” actually have rear windows that wrap around the sides, so it might be necessary to use your best guess as to where the flat center section would rest when making measurements.

Astra Hammond also has ABS plastic louvers for several additional cars, but I don’t think I am really interested in those as I want to minimize any blocking of visibility. If I go plastic, I would probably just fabricate them out of thin Plexiglas and paint it.

1967-1969, Chevy Camaro/Z28, flat center section from 3 piece
1975-1981, Chevy Camaro/Z28, flat center section from 3 piece
1982-1985, Chevy Camaro/Z28, flat center section from 3 piece
1986-1987, Chevy Camaro/Z28, flat center section from 3 piece
1988-1992, Chevy Camaro/Z28, flat center section from 3 piece
1990-1998, Chevy Cavalier Z24
1992-1993, Dodge Daytona
1979-1990, Dodge Laser, Hatchback With Wiper
1984-1986, Dodge Omni, Hatchback With Wiper
1989-1990, Ford Escort, Hatchback
1981-1983, Ford Escort EXP, flat center section from 3 piece
1979-1993, Ford Mustang, Coupe
1994-2004, Ford Mustang, Coupe & Mach1
1965-1966, Ford Mustang Fastback
1967-1968, Ford Mustang Fastback
1969-1970, Ford Mustang Fastback
1971-1973, Ford Mustang Fastback
1974-1978, Ford Mustang Fastback
1979-1993, Ford Mustang GT Hatchback
1989-1992, Ford Probe, Hatchback
1986-1989, Honda Accord Hatchback, flat center section from 3 piece
1984-1987, Honda CRX, Hatchback
1988-1991, Honda CRX, Hatchback With Wiper
1978-1985, Mazda RX7, Hatchback
1986-1990, Mazda RX7, Hatchback
1983-1987, Mercury Capri GT Hatchback, flat center section from 3 piece
1984-1988, Nissan 200SX, Hatchback With Wiper
1970-1978, Nissan 240Z, 260Z, 280Z , 2 seat Hatchback
1974-1978, Nissan 260Z, 280Z, 4 seat Hatchback With Wiper
1979-1983, Nissan 280 AX, 4 seat Hatchback With Wiper
1979-1983, Nissan 280ZX, 2 seat Hatchback
1984-1989, Nissan 300ZX, 2 seat Hatchback With Wiper
1984-1989, Nissan 300ZX, 4 seat Hatchback With Wiper
1967-1969, Pontiac Firebird, flat center section from 3 piece
1970-1974, Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am, flat center section from 3 piece
1975-1981, Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am, flat center section from 3 piece
1982-1985, Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am, flat center section from 3 piece
1988-1992, Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am, flat center section from 3 piece
1982-1985, Pontiac J2000 Sunbird, Hatchback
1986-1987, Pontiac J2000 Sunbird, Hatchback
1986-1987, Pontiac Trans Am, flat center section from 3 piece
1976-1977, Toyota Celica, Liftback
1986-1989, Toyota Celica, Liftback
1986-1989, Toyota Celica, Liftback
1980-1983, Toyota Corolla, Lowback With Rear Wiper
1965-1971, Volkswagon Beetle Bug
1972-1977, Volkswagon Beetle Bug

I hope Seawolf doesn't mind I doctored up a photo of his car to show what it would look like with lovers on the back.

[Godiva]

I am so glad you are pursuing this. I've had rear louvers in my all of the hatchbacks I've owned and I love them. I looked for some of the Prius but there aren't any. Most people tell me just to get tint. But I know that the louvers would reduce the temps more than tint.

The biggest problem with louvers is adapting for the rear wiper.

If you ever find any louvers that will fit the Prius, please, please post it here so I can get some too.

[patsparks]

Have you forgotten how hard it is to see out the back of a Prius?









Apparently?

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by patsparks

Have you forgotten how hard it is to see out the back of a Prius?

Good point. It might make more sense to paint over the rear window.

Tom

[bestmapman]

Originally Posted by Godiva

The biggest problem with louvers is adapting for the rear wiper.

You'll probably have to take off the wiper. I've have had mine off for a while now and don't miss it. Having it off increases visibility tremendously.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by bestmapman

You'll probably have to take off the wiper. I've have had mine off for a while now and don't miss it. Having it off increases visibility tremendously.

You must of had a big wiper.

Tom

[Flying White Dutchman]

Originally Posted by bestmapman

You'll probably have to take off the wiper. I've have had mine off for a while now and don't miss it. Having it off increases visibility tremendously.

you mean the rear door? taken off and not the small wiper

[donee]

Originally Posted by bestmapman

You'll probably have to take off the wiper. I've have had mine off for a while now and don't miss it. Having it off increases visibility tremendously.

If I took mine off, it would reduce visibity. When it snows here, the window can be covered in a few minutes. In traffic, there is not enough speed to shed the powder snow, and that lake effect snow is heavy and would never slide off till the sun comes out.

[bestmapman]

Originally Posted by donee

If I took mine off, it would reduce visibity. When it snows here, the window can be covered in a few minutes. In traffic, there is not enough speed to shed the powder snow, and that lake effect snow is heavy and would never slide off till the sun comes out.

There isn't too much snow where I am at so I haven't had that problem.
With the wiper off, it is much easier to see out the back. I guess mine just came with a larger than average wiper.

[Godiva]

Originally Posted by patsparks

Have you forgotten how hard it is to see out the back of a Prius? Apparently?

When you have the correct louvers designed for your car, the angle is such that seeing out the back is no problem. In fact, I'd get no glare on the glass or reflection from the cargo cover.