1965 Overlander - Framed or Frameless

[glscholten]

Just got a 65 Overlander. The PO was proud to have replaced all the windows with plexi-glass. Though it looks nice, they are frameless, not sitting in a frame as I think the 65's had though they seem to function ok, though there has not been a lot use.

I've heard both ways whether the 65's had the framed or frameless windows. Which was it? I see that Vintage Trailer sells the frameless for the 66 - 68's.

If I need the frames, other than salvage are there other options? Has anyone fabricated them and if you did, how did you do it?

[65CV]

My '65 Caravel had Hehr Hallmark 12 windows, with frames. If yours were the newer frameless, it wouldn't be the first time that changes were made mid-year. If you do need frames, they come up infrequently in the classifieds here and/or on eBay. Making the top extrusion looks difficult.

Hopefully these two links help.
Franks' Trailer Works Blog Windows 101
VintageAirstream.com Window Faq

[glscholten]

Originally Posted by 65CV

My '65 Caravel had Hehr Hallmark 12 windows, with frames. If yours were the newer frameless, it wouldn't be the first time that changes were made mid-year. If you do need frames, they come up infrequently in the classifieds here and/or on eBay. Making the top extrusion looks difficult.

Hopefully these two links help.
Franks' Trailer Works Blog Windows 101
VintageAirstream.com Window Faq

That's interesting. I've heard they did change design often and factory to factory but not mid-model year. If I really did have frameless do you think they'd be the same as were in the 66-68 model year that are sold on VTS? I do have the hardware latches along the bottom of the window that pop them out and pull them in tight when closing, just like the frameless Is that a clue?

[65CV]

Post some pics tomorrow. I'll bet you have an answer within an hour.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

When you say it is a 65, do you say that because your title says 65, the PO told you it was a 65, or because the serial number says it is a 65? You serial number should be J O(I) 26 5 XXX or S O(I) 26 5 XXX to be a 65. If it is a 66 the serial number will be J O(I) 26 6 XXX or S O(I) 26 6 XXX. 1965 is very close to the 1966 introduction of the Corning chemically tempered windows. There is a very good chance yours was one of them. It is very common for odd balls to slip out of the factory. It is also very common to see a sudden and abrupt change in the production coming from the factory. The new years model usually came out around October, sometimes it came out earlier.

[glscholten]

Here is an interior pic of the window latches that tighten the window to the frame when closed. I can't imagine a framed windows would have/need those latches to pull the closed.

[65CV]

That doesn't look like the setup for our framed windows on our '65 Caravel. We had cranks on the side and these window locks on the bottom.

Hopefully someone who knows the Corning windows can chime in, but it doesn't look like a Hehr Hallmark 12 setup to me.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

That is a 1966 window system. What is your vin number?

[glscholten]

My VIN is S02656571. I think consistent with what you said was a 65 vin. Maybe this is one of those oddballs that slipped out of the factory. 65 AS with a 66 window system. That's good news to me because I can replace them through VTS, you think?

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Santa Fe Springs built 1965....
Yes, you can replace them. I have not done it yet but I think the window is just a tad thicker. There are a number of threads on replacing those windows.