Despite its easy appearance, the LeBaron rear window is a complicated assembly. The LeBaron owner normally wouldn't need to know the nature of this assembly, and in fact the Imperial factory service manual has nothing to say about it. However, after high-mileage and years of wet weather, the reveal moulding surrounding the rear window may seperate from the roof causing an unsightly condition - and a sudden need to know.

This article is intended to take the mystery out of the cause of the seperation, explain the construction of the rear window, and to suggest an appropriate repair for fly-away rear window mouldings.

The LeBaron glass is carried by a large, thick fiberglass frame that fills the space from roof pillar to roof pillar, and from roof top to roof base.

The fiberglass frame is hidden from the outside by the vinyl roof and the reveal moulding. On the inside of the car, the fiberglass piece is cloaked by a fabric-covered, metal panel. The metal panel also holds the reading/courtesy lights for the backseat.

A gooey, black caulk makes a weather-tight seal between the glass and the fiberglass frame. The service manual, in reference to installing the windshield, calls this caulk a "butyl" adhesive. The adhesive is the only thing holding the glass to the car, and the glass is kept from slipping down the slope of the roof by two, small, plastic, setting blocks.

The back window reveal moulding is a four piece affair held in place by a series of metal clips. The clips, curiously, are screwed to the inner rim of the fiberglass planel radiating outward. This means that the screw heads holding the clips butt up against the edge of the glass. The clips and screws cannot be removed with the glass in place.

Continued. . .