Re: [VAC] Interpreting Serial Numbers

[Gary Quamen <gquamen@xxxxxxxx>]

Hi Doug:

Please be advised that you might want to replace the $4 window in time 
before it sun degrades.  That was the situation I found when I first got 
my Safari.  The solution to the problem was to replace what was there 
(either plexiglass or acrylic, I don't know which) with Lexan, which is 
the next thing to indestructible.

For instance, the three side window sizes on your '67 are:

20 7/16" x 17"
20 7/16" x 29"
20 7/16" x 39"

The Lexan (Polycarbonate) costs respectively (at TAP Plastics in CA):

$13.64
$23.26
$31.28

I have a south-facing storm / screen door that I installed smoked Lexan 
in at my house in CA that is on a deck that is hot at Christmas (Mucho 
hotter in July) and in the sun all day.  At first I tried to save some 
bucks, so I put in acrylic.  It lasted about 2 years, got brittle and 
shattered.  I installed the Lexan in 1995 and it is as good today as the 
day I put it in.  Good stuff with the GQ stamp of approval (FWIW).

Later,

GQ '67 Safari

PS: Of the remaining plate glass windows I have, I am always amazed at 
how flexible they are.  At first I was afraid to open them, especially 
with the strange little "grabbers" that reach out and draw them in 
against the weatherstrip since you can't do all three cranks (on the 
large ones) at the same time.  It actually is quite ingenious how they 
work and they are much more durable than they look.  I also noticed that 
after a while the new plastic windows take a bit of a "set" so they don't 
look very much different than the others.  Never Break either.

I have found this type of window to be very weather tight.  I have had no 
leaks. The weatherstrip is extremely easy to apply and very effective.