[RA1John]

Here we go again

Sometime around the end of Sept., to the beginning of Oct, 1967, Lordstown Assembly began installing door glass (R/L) with a small white 'Bird' graphic (ceramic baked) in the front, lower corner (bottom of A-Pillar area). This glass (produced by PPG) was then pulled from production (and as supplies were depleted) around the mid to end of January, 1968.

Mfg. date codes found on 'Bird' glass include: Sept. 9, Oct. 7, Nov. 7

Despite the efforts of many Firebird enthusiasts over the years to research this special feature, no conclusive evidence was revealed as to why some cars were built with this glass, while others were not. To date, no official PMD documentation has surfaced that mentions this glass. From surveys & research, 'Bird' glass has been found on...

- Coupes & Conv.
- All color combos
- Standard and Custom Trim
- Low option and high option vehicles
- 6-cyl, 8-cyl vehicles
- Tinted and clear glass
- Standard windows and power windows
- Standard S/V mirror or Remote S/V mirror

It would seem that PPG produced the glass in batches and mixed this glass in with non-'Bird' glass. There appears to be no pattern in the build schedule, examples have been found built the same day, with other gaps of more than a week. This may have been a styling feature that was introduced sporadically. Interestingly, all '67 Grand Prix's had a similar etched "GP" on the door glass, while the '68 Camaro had "Astro Ventilation" on the door glass.

It is assumed that 'Bird' glass was production was stopped due to upcoming Jan. '68 Federal Safety Regulations which included side view visibility. It's also possible that cost may have been a factor.

It would be necessary to collect thousands of records for surviving vehicles with this glass to better establish when exactly this glass first arrived at, and was last used at Lordstown Assembly. I've collected records for perhaps several hundred to a thousand 68 firebirds over the years and see a scattering of 'Bird' glass cars built between early Oct. and mid Jan. Most are in Nov, early Dec.

Over the years, there have no doubt been owners who have added the 'Bird' glass to their '68. There's even a '69 owner who claims his has factory installed 'Bird' glass.