[Jeff Hamlin]

We all know that code 351 was the 1966 Optional Pontiac "SOFT-RAY" Windshield and is listed as having the sun-shade band across the top.

So can one assume that all cars received FULL clear windshield if SR wasn't chosen?

Was the Sun-Shaded clear windshield an additional/optional offering as well or was a full clear the option?

Also if you ordered AC was a SR windshield an automatic upgrade or still an additional option? Any Clear windshield AC cars from the factory?

Thx.

[barrierbluegto]

I don’t know if you could get just the windshield or not. Mine has the soft ray option with no a.c. And that is all of the windows. I understood that if you ordered a.c. Then all the windows were tinted.

[Greg Reid]

My understanding is that the A/C connection to tint is that you'd get the dark tint at the top of the windshield, standard, if the car had A/C. If you did not order A/C it was optional.
As for Soft-Ray, I THINK you could get no tint, all tint or windshield only but I don't know if A/C had anything to do with that as much as maybe the interior color. I had an A/C equipped '68 with a black interior and I couldn't swear to it but I don't think it had tinted glass....or maybe it did. Kinda looks like it in this pic..

[Jeff Hamlin]

Anything tinted "Soft-Ray" (Pontiac's name for it) was an option, whether ALL glass or just the Windshield. I thought I recall AC was a trigger for at least a SR windshield but can not find a solid Yea or Nay.
Per accessory brochure;



I'm more curious about Full Clear and Clear with the Upper Shade band.
All I see on most '66's with clear glass is with the upper sun shade and we know this was correct but was it Standard or Optional over a full clear windshield??

Now I know the images below are not solid arguments of correctness but they are without doubt original images showing Sunshade (1&2) and Full clear (3,4&5) but I can not find any reference as to whether one or the other was considered an upgrade/option.

[Jeff Hamlin]

As I posted this I realized the factory lit indicates SR is Recommended ! So that answers the AC trigger question.
Also looking at the 1st GTO image it's is hard to say weather it has tinted glass but the Wagon Clearly has Clear Glass

[242177P]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

... but the Wagon Clearly has Clear Glass

Actually, it *might* be SoftRay. Rear gate window is down, passenger rear is lowered, and the driver's door is open. But the bug next to it actually gets darker when viewed through two layers. I think it's a combination of it being lost in the sun's intensity AND the blue/green hue not being terribly noticeable in the first place? But whenever you have two pieces that overlap...

[60sstuff]

Jeff,

That is one cool photo of that 66 wagon in two-tone paint with Red interior, Awesome!

I’d love to have a Pontiac like that, luggage rack and all.

Not sure if this sheds any light on your question but my 66 came with the 351 option.

All six side windows plus the rear window have the same graphics.
The front is a Shade E-Z-Eye by LOF. Not sure if it is factory issue?

Mr. 242177P,

You must work for CSI because your good!
What color toe nails does she have?

Regards, Chris

[Barrier Blue]

My old 66 GTO had two options: console, and soft-ray windshield.

[242177P]

Originally Posted by 60sstuff

The front is a Shade E-Z-Eye by LOF. Not sure if it is factory issue?

I'd put money on it's factory, not only does the wording match mine, but the date code (has a typo) also matches your other glass. V is December, J is 1965. The reason I said it has a typo? VU is Dec 1960 or Dec 1973, that ain't right. It's a J with a little extra. Call me crazy, but factory flaws make it more perfect.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

Anything tinted "Soft-Ray" (Pontiac's name for it) was an option, whether ALL glass or just the Windshield. I thought I recall AC was a trigger for at least a SR windshield but can not find a solid Yea or Nay.
Per accessory brochure;



I'm more curious about Full Clear and Clear with the Upper Shade band.
All I see on most '66's with clear glass is with the upper sun shade and we know this was correct but was it Standard or Optional over a full clear windshield??

I don't know the answer for sure but I can tell you that I got curious about this when I had a '74 T/A with no tint and no upper shade band. It was a low option car with 455 and deluxe interior...that's it for options.
All I could come up with, and I can't remember where I got the info, was that if the car came with A/C, it got the upper shade band automatically... No A/C, you had to pay for the shaded band.
I got curious about it because I was told that most of the 'ad' cars from those days were sans the upper shade band. I guess it didn't look so good in photos to them.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Well Soft-Ray is pretty well covered. And I think regardless whether the images above are clear or soft-ray,
we all agree that there was a FULL Clear and a Clear with Sun-Shade available. Correct?

I was hoping to see how this would have been Handled in the ordering process.

My thinking is all came with Full Clear.
So now I want air conditioning and the Dealer "RECOMMENDS" Soft Ray,
But I only want the clear with upper Sun Shade.
There had to be some sort of code and cost involved, Agreed?

I know this seems trivial but just wondering about this Un-Clear detail

Cheers.

[imposter]

so where can you get a good windshield these days in Soft Ray

[Jeff Hamlin]

Originally Posted by 60sstuff

Jeff,

That is one cool photo of that 66 wagon in two-tone paint with Red interior, Awesome!

I’d love to have a Pontiac like that, luggage rack and all.

Regards, Chris

Agreed, I too would love to have that one, and if it were a Cammer It would be even better (for me at least)

I love these old Pontiac/Surfer Shots...

[GT182]

I had to have the windshield replaced on my 66 and went to Safelite. They installed a tinted windshield with the darker top tint..... but it doesn't have the LOF code. No big deal for me but it sure makes a big difference on the glare you get from a non-tinted windshield.