I have a 1979 corvette, and I would like to some input about switching body panels from other corvettes. I don't really like the huge back window. However I like the 76's back window. Is it possible to switch rear body panels? what kind of modifications have to be made then if you know of any?

Thanks everyone for the help, I'm still learning. ;-)

even tho this post is almost 2 months old.. I'll bite.
There is a LOT of work when it comes to swapping panels.. you could do it the bubba way which is cutting the panel at the bonding strip.. or unbolt the body and put the 76 body on.. but you dont wanna do that. if you want a 'better' look to your car.. consider swapping front and rear bumpers. In my opinion, I'm not a big fan of the 79 rear bumper.. but i do love the 82 rear. maybe food for thought.. check out some pictures of some 81-82 vettes and maybe you'll wanna do that instead of swapping glass

I'm new to the forum and a fairly new Vette owner but I'm with you on that 82 rear bumper. Plan on doing that to my 76 as soon as I get some of the life threatening things like brakes and steering sorted out.

I agree....the 80s style front and rear bumpers are much nicer.
I changed my front to an 80s style and added the 78 PC spoiler.

Once I get the fiberglass work done on the ZL1 flares..next thing will be to replace the rear bumper...going to go with a replica ZR1 style..complete with the squared-round tailights.

Sell the big back window and purchase a tunnel back. In the long run, this will be cheaper than attempting to make one out of the other. I've owned both. You have more rear storage area and much better rear vision with the big back window car.

My husband has been separating body seams using flat bladed tools like drywall scrapers and putty knives. After nearly 40 years the factory glue seams are pretty easy to break apart. As for the interchangability of the panels - sorry I can't help there. ~Juliet

|QUOTE|guitarguy9858 said: I'm new to the forum and a fairly new Vette owner but I'm with you on that 82 rear bumper. Plan on doing that to my 76 as soon as I get some of the life threatening things like brakes and steering sorted out.|/QUOTE|

I've got a 74, and the PO took off the 74 rear bumper in favor of the 82 rear... *sniff* there goes just about the only thing on the car that let you know it was a 74. But now I want chrome! Anyone here try putting on those chrome bumpers from pre-74? Both front and back...

Thanks

Imran
74 Convt *pic in profile, not in sig yet*

IF memory serves, your bumpers have that 5 mile an hour shock absorber thingy. ( it has been 25 years since I had my '74 so I may very well be wrong ) You might be bitting off more than you want to chew trying to put a chrome bumper on that '74.

|QUOTE|glenns said: IF memory serves, your bumpers have that 5 mile an hour shock absorber thingy. ( it has been 25 years since I had my '74 so I may very well be wrong ) You might be bitting off more than you want to chew trying to put a chrome bumper on that '74.|/QUOTE|

Glenn,

The scary part is, I was looking at the bumpers on both ends, and it looks like the PO did a really cheap job on it. First of all, that front is REALLY misaligned, and the rear looks like he just ripped off everything that he could associate with the 74 bumper, and slapped on just the outer bumper cover on the new 82 style... *sigh* more work, but he might have actually saved me some headache if I end up going with the chrome bumpers. Maybe everything is already gone that I need to worry about. Anyone done a conversion like this before?

Imran 74 Convt