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Cutting open Astra Hammond side louvers

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Old 02-03-2009, 09:44 PM
  #1  
digitalcos
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Default Cutting open Astra Hammond side louvers

Does anyone here have the Astra Hammond 10 slat side louvers?

http://tinyurl.com/arwy8m

I love the look of them, but I'd really like to open the slats if I can. I know there are a lot of other louvers with the slats open, but they're all the bigger 4-5 slat style. I'd rather go for the '67-'68 Bullitt style louvers. But, I don't want to eliminate all visibility.

Can anyone tell me how thick the plastic is? Would it be feasable to cut them open with a blade or maybe a rotozip or something? Is the plastic a harder plastic like a TV might be made of, or a softer plastic like say a garbage can?

Okay, lastly, if this sounds like a horrible idea. Can anyone tell me where the louvers came from that are on that Japanese Bullitt that was making the rounds a while back. They seems to fit the bill perfectly, but I can't find jack about them, other than the car was put together by a Japanese shop called Blue Flame, and I can't find anything about them either.

http://www.zercustoms.com/photos/200...g-Bullitt.html

Any guidence you guys can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Old 02-03-2009, 10:02 PM
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flash_xx
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http://www.blueflamemustang.jp/parts/index.html

Last edited by flash_xx; 02-03-2009 at 10:05 PM.
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Old 02-03-2009, 10:37 PM
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digitalcos
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Cool, thanks Flash.

Didn't see them sold separately. I just sent them an email. I'll let you guys know if I hear anything.

Really tempted to just roll the dice and order the Astra Hammonds, but I figured it was worth holding off for a bit and seeing if you guys could give me some guidance.
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Old 02-03-2009, 11:32 PM
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retro_pony
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I have them. Only ones I have ever seen installed. I too like the look of the multi-slatted louvers versus just a few. I'd would not advise trying to cut them, I think every defect and little slip would show. The plastic is hard and rigid, not soft like a plastic garbage can. Don't notice a huge loss in vision, but not the most driver friendly.

I did not recognize the Bullitt reference. If you want vision, most guys go with the Silver Horse Racing louvers, nice and integrated right into the window and you can see through. Marcello is a great guy to work with.


Originally Posted by digitalcos
Does anyone here have the Astra Hammond 10 slat side louvers?

http://tinyurl.com/arwy8m

I love the look of them, but I'd really like to open the slats if I can. I know there are a lot of other louvers with the slats open, but they're all the bigger 4-5 slat style. I'd rather go for the '67-'68 Bullitt style louvers. But, I don't want to eliminate all visibility.

Can anyone tell me how thick the plastic is? Would it be feasable to cut them open with a blade or maybe a rotozip or something? Is the plastic a harder plastic like a TV might be made of, or a softer plastic like say a garbage can?

Okay, lastly, if this sounds like a horrible idea. Can anyone tell me where the louvers came from that are on that Japanese Bullitt that was making the rounds a while back. They seems to fit the bill perfectly, but I can't find jack about them, other than the car was put together by a Japanese shop called Blue Flame, and I can't find anything about them either.

http://www.zercustoms.com/photos/200...g-Bullitt.html

Any guidence you guys can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Attached Thumbnails Cutting open Astra Hammond side louvers-louvers.jpg  
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Old 02-03-2009, 11:53 PM
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digitalcos
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Thanks Retro.

Is the plastic really thick? Now, I'm not sure how to phrase this so it makes sense, but are there structural cross pieces of plastic on the inside or is it just as it looks from the outside? This is a terrible example, but maybe this pic will give you a better idea of what I mean

http://tinyurl.com/d95u92

Am I making any sense at all? I have my doubts.
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Old 02-04-2009, 09:53 PM
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retro_pony
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Originally Posted by digitalcos
Thanks Retro.

Is the plastic really thick? Now, I'm not sure how to phrase this so it makes sense, but are there structural cross pieces of plastic on the inside or is it just as it looks from the outside? This is a terrible example, but maybe this pic will give you a better idea of what I mean

http://tinyurl.com/d95u92

Am I making any sense at all? I have my doubts.
You are making sense - difficult to explain I'm sure. I think I get your gist. Best I can tell, I would say they are a mirror imprint on the inside of the outside, no additional structure support. Included a snapshot, best I could find off of one of my interior shots.
Attached Thumbnails Cutting open Astra Hammond side louvers-louvers_inside.jpg  
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Old 02-04-2009, 10:32 PM
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digitalcos
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Wow, thanks Retro. I really appreciate the help.
I'll keep you guys updated as I decide what I'm going to do. I'm trying to figure out all my mods now so when Spring comes, and the weather breaks, I'll have all the decision making and prep work out of the way. I'm holding off on posting any pics until I've got her all put together.
Thanks again.
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