Dusenberry

iTrader: (1)

As soon as I bought my '87 Firebird base two weekends ago, I immediately knew I wanted to find a set of louvers to throw on the hatch window. I have always loved the look of them, especially on the classic muscle/pony cars.

After searching online and especially on this forum, I realized that good looking louvers were incredibly hard to find. Luckily I came across a set that is the exact style I am looking for on Craigslist. They were billed by the owner as being third-gem camaro louvers, possibly fitting Firebirds and T/As.

Before I drive the 4 hours round trip to go look at them in person I wanted to ask you guys if you had any certain knowledge that these would fit.

This is the set:





And for reference the red Firebird is mine:



Thanks for your help in advance!

Yenipenny

They will fit. Make sure they have all the brackets/fastners. You probably wouldn't be able to find replacements.

I have that same style/brand louver on my 92 RS except it is for cars with the 3rd brake light mounted on the hatch glass. It's been on the car since a few days after I bought the car new.

Dusenberry

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the response. I was 99% sure they would fit after doing my own research but I just wanted to double check with the pros here!

Contacted the seller last night. They are GM factory louvers. Seller wants $350 for them and if the hardware is also there I will gladly buy them for that. Factory sets are impossible to find. If the hardware isn't there I'll be able to talk him down.

I work at a hardware store so if worse comes to worse and I can't get a hold of mounting hardware I'll just rig my own.

mars2878

looks good.
but quick thought. I was under the impression the factory oem units were a 3pc design (lift up center section for cleaning purposes) & the 1pc design was aftermarket. but I could be wrong.

Dusenberry

iTrader: (1)

You are correct. This one is a three piece design and the middle lifts up to clean.

Dusenberry

iTrader: (1)

So I finally ended up picking up the louvers. They were in very good shape; only missing 2 hardware pieces. I'll probably end up just rigging my own, but I'm pretty positive they will hold with the hardware it has in the position that it is in.

Just put on a fresh coat of satin black paint. Didn't do it perfectly, but they look really great. May get them professionally painted when my car gets a fresh coat.

Steve86TA

iTrader: (57)

Did you test fit them yet? I think there were two styles..1 with the wraparound spoiler and one without.

Dusenberry

iTrader: (1)

Yes I did test them before when I went down to meet the seller. Fit like a glove.

But you are correct there were two kinds for the two different spoilers. I do not have the aero-spoiler, so I would have been able to finagle pretty much any set on. But these are definitely the ones for a car without the aero-spoiler.

Edit: I'll post a pic with them on the car in a day or two after they dry.

mars2878

Looks great, I'm jealous.
Were you able to talk him down due to the missing hardware?

Dusenberry

iTrader: (1)

I wasn't able to talk him down as much as I would have liked, but I did get it down a little. Honestly, there really wasn't anyway I was going to leave without them. There would be no way I would resort to putting on one of the ugly, modern, aftermarket louvers. And who knows when the next time I would come across a set like these would be.

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

I'm Jealous too!!

Dusenberry

iTrader: (1)

Well, if I ever sell them someday (unlikely but who knows!), I'd be super sure to sell them here for you guys instead of on ebay or craigslist, where I found them.

I got straight-up lucky with these things. I searched ALL of craigslist just to see what was out there. I was like on Utah's and Nebraska's boards, everywhere. These were the only set I could find anywhere and they were right in central Jersey, 1.5 hours away.

Dusenberry

iTrader: (1)

Just got them on the bird and man, these things are sexy. I know some people don't like them, but honestly they are a great way to add a little extra personality and fierceness to your car.







Visibility is not reduced at all with this set which is a giant plus. Here are a few snaps of what it is like being inside and looking through them.





They are on the car with the hardware that was supplied. The only thing I am thinking of fabricating is the missing top bracket. They are solid as of now, but with something rigged at the top spot, they would not go anywhere.

In my opinion, you could 100% get away with just 4 hardware pieces: the two tops, and two side clips. They are very light, so sliding due to weight is not an issue (though they do weigh enough that I now have to change the hatch struts if I want it to stay open on its own haha). Only thing would be catching wind that could be a problem. This set though is well designed and all of the slats angle down so that may not even be a problem.

I did make sure to solidly hammer the clips around the hatch molding really securely just as an added precaution.

What do you guys think of them on the car?

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

OK, ENOUGH ALREADY!!! Rub it in Dusenberry!
They look awesome. I had them on my 85 T/A and I loved them. Looks sharp! I just spent the last 2 hours looking for a set for my 88 GTA w/wrap around spoiler to no avail. YOU, my friend, hit the jackpot! Good deal!

PS: 86 that green tree freshener!!!!

Dusenberry

iTrader: (1)

I'm going to be keeping my eye on the net for any hardware that pops up. If I see any aero-spoiler louvers I will shoot you a pm right away.

PS: Green tree is going to be nixed after I'm able to totally eradicate the smell of the previous owner and slather my baby in some of my musky aroma. Gotta make the car know that she is MINE now!

EDIT: Also, I was able to give the hold of the louvers a thorough testing by doing some local/highway driving and some donuts to test those g's. They didn't even shake let alone budge. I think taking a mallet to the clips to really get them snug worked out well.

mars2878

looks really good on there.