Re: Pair '74 Lagunas

by abajc3 on Sun May 08, 2011 3:32 pm

how bout some update on project laguna steve? Smile

by Limey SE on Sun May 08, 2011 4:56 pm

Mcarlo77 wrote: the white one has the large qtr window partially covered with a sheet metal patch on the exterior and the triangular padded insert on the interior sail panel.

I would check the VIN on the white one then for that sounds like a Malibu that was converted to Laguna front HMM maybe

by Mcarlo77 on Sun May 08, 2011 5:19 pm

orange Juiced wrote:Moonroof? I didn't know they came with them. if u can take some pics from the inside, I'm planning to install one in mine.

O.J.: Here is a pic of the interior side of the power moonroof as taken from between the front seats. The headliner fabric is torn and mostly missing from the panel that slides back. The power switch is between the sunvisors with the manual crank between it and the moonroof.

by Mcarlo77 on Sun May 08, 2011 5:22 pm

Limey...you bring up an interesting point. I'll check the VIN next time out. Still seems to be some mystery as to why and when GM decided to use these rooflines and then cover up part of the glass.

by Limey SE on Sun May 08, 2011 5:25 pm

from the guy I talked to over the phone that worked at GM then is because of the strike of the late 73 early 74 they had to do what ever it took to get these cars out some came with full panels and some were improvised with the half and half padded ones with full quarter glass in there like mine was ........................some of the stories horrified me how some of these cars lasted as long as they have

by Mcarlo77 on Sun May 08, 2011 5:37 pm

It makes sense to me. Never forget the first time I saw this when I pulled back the vinyl top and thought "WTF is this"? Thought someone must have installed patch panels on the outside to create the opera window look. Then saw the same thing on a Lemans. Even found this on a '76 Cutlass Y76 option car...which begs the question of why in '76 if the explanation for using these was the strike in '73/'74?

by JB2wheeler on Sun May 08, 2011 6:03 pm

Limey wrote:from the guy I talked to over the phone that worked at GM then is because of the strike of the late 73 early 74 they had to do what ever it took to get these cars out some came with full panels and some were improvised with the half and half padded ones with full quarter glass in there like mine was ........................some of the stories horrified me how some of these cars lasted as long as they have

Maybe thats why my Elky came with an Olds rear end assembly. JB

by Limey SE on Sun May 08, 2011 6:10 pm

thats a very good question as well but the strike was a long one so who know's what was up

by Famstyle on Mon May 09, 2011 8:26 am

NICE MOON ROOF I LIKES THAT!!!

by orange Juiced on Mon May 09, 2011 11:15 am

That's a pretty big moonroof, If I lived alot closer i would be over there with some cutting tools taking half the roof off.

Thanks for the pics Rago and Mcarlo77, they are going to help out.

by 1973 454 MONTE on Mon May 09, 2011 5:32 pm

i have 2 complete monte MOONROOFs over here in cleveland ohio.... Beer

by Mcarlo77 on Tue May 24, 2011 8:12 pm

Limey wrote:
Mcarlo77 wrote: the white one has the large qtr window partially covered with a sheet metal patch on the exterior and the triangular padded insert on the interior sail panel.

I would check the VIN on the white one then for that sounds like a Malibu that was converted to Laguna front HMM maybe

F.Y.I.: Checked the VIN number on the white '74 Laguna (as well as the black one). Both VIN's check out as being original Lagunas. Guess it confirms GM used whatever they had on the line at the time to build these cars.

by pila on Tue May 24, 2011 9:38 pm

When I removed the vinly top on my '74, the big quarter window had sheet metal panels welded in there to make the little opra windows, and a lot of bondo to blend it in. Of course I stripped the whole body with paint stripper, removed all the bondo, and went from there.

by Laguna 74 on Thu May 26, 2011 3:44 pm

MCarlo77 I sent you a PM on the grille.