Reproduction of louvre fitting kits

[trabitom99]

There seem to have been two manufacturers who made rear louvres for the 300 series - Autoplas (UK) and Thermoform (Denmark). Typically with "used" louvres, the thing gets saved when the car is scrapped, leaving the fitting materials stuck to the rear window.

The good news is - Autoplas still exists, and although they no longer make louvres they will make up universal kits for your model of car with the fitting clips. I e-mailed Autoplas last night, recieved a reply today and had a long chat on the phone to a really helpful gal who said they'd make some reproduction ones for me tomorrow They cost 8 pounds plus P&P, and they take your credit card details over the phone.

I've ordered both a Mk1/Mk2 and a Mk3 set, just to see what the difference is. When I get them, I'll post up some pics so we can compare them with the originals.

[20.10.2011 EDIT: As far as I can tell, Autoplas never made MkIII hatch louvres - so no luck in ready-made fitting kits for them!]

Makes a change from the usual "no longer available, sir" reply, when looking for V300 parts

http://www.auto-plas.co.uk

Cheers

Tom

[volvodspec]

hmm, think i'm gonna order a kit for mk1/mk2 and mk3 hatch. i've got both of the louvres but no fitting kits

[trabitom99]

You can wait till I've recieved my packet if you like. I only ordered the MkIII version cos I'm curious Chances of finding a louvre to fit it are ... erm zero.

Tom

[volvosneverdie]

Great work there Tom!

[Chris_C]

I dream of a mk3 hatch louvre! Nicely done Tom, great news.

[foggyjames]

Great work Tom, many thanks!

I have a mk1/2 louvre, but no fitting kit....must get on the case!

cheers

James

[Jos360]

I have a partial fitting kit for my mk1 louvre, so I'm interested!

[L14MNP]

You know Tom, when searching for a louvre I found numerous Autoplas links and then forgot all about them when I got one (sans fitting kit).

I thought I was just gonna have to stay with the ghetto velcro method lol! What are these kits like for being stable at speed? My concern is always that it will blow off. Mine's fine with 3 figures. Flaps about a bit, but I've always got one eye on the rear view. It would be nice not to have to worry as much! lol

[trabitom99]

I recieved my fitting kit today, and it's almost, but not quite right

Can those of you with louvres (in particular, Anjo (MkIII) and Mark (4dr)) have a quick look at the back of them and see if there is a "KH***" number embedded in the back?

My Mk1/2 louvre has the number "KH188". The fitting kit I've now got has "KH109" written on the packet, some of the parts look exactly right, others (where the lugs of the louvre fit in) are a little different. I'd like to e-mail the lady from Auto-Plas, but it'd be cool if I could give her some "KH numbers" it might be easier to get the match right.



Cheers

Tom

[volvodspec]

mine's hidden deep in the garage box, don't know if i'll drop by there very soon but i'll make sure to check it when i'm there!

[trabitom99]

Cheers Anjo ...

Here's a pic of the fitting kit I sold to Mark, four "lugs", one end of which which go under the seal, the other end is glued to the louvre. The other two bits on the right fit snugly into a "male" plastic pin on the louvre, which is screwed into them (haven't described that very well, I'm afraid they're marked red in the second pic):



... and here's the reproduction kit from Auto-Plas (it includes the "stabiliser bar" at the back of the louvre as well):


The curved bits are actually just right for the Mk1/2 rear hatch and fit that louvre perfectly. What's not so good are the lower mounting bits - they aren't the perfect fit for "male" louvre pins, and look like they might suit the MkIII version better? I'm not sure ...

I had asked Auto-Plas for both a '76-85 and a '85 on kit, both kits they sent were identical unfortunately and I have a suspicion the bits in the kit fit different types of louvre.

Cheers

Tom

[vØlvØfreak]

and Mark (4dr)) have a quick look at the back of them and see if there is a "KH***" number embedded in the back?

4dr = KH334

sorry for the late replay

[trabitom99]

Thanks, Mark!

OK, so now we have:
MkI/II: KH188
4 dr: KH334
MkIII: possibly KH109?

Cheers

Tom

[MCHUDD]

Hi Tom.
My fitting clips ara Auto plas.
The top of the window small ones say Auto plas ref SF8
The side ones say Auto plas SF6.
The bottom ones just say Pat Pend.
These came from Frits over in Holland.
Cheers Mark.

[trabitom99]

The top of the window small ones say Auto plas ref SF8
The side ones say Auto plas SF6.

Cheers, Mark! Mine are the same, the "curvy bits" say S.F.8, the side ones SF6.

The guy who makes the sets is off on holiday this week, next week the lady says they'll have another go.

BTW I was having a look at kaarels Thermoform louvre - the fitting arrangement may be a little different for that one.

Auto-Plas / Volvo 4dr louvre:


Thermoform 4dr louvre:


Cheers

Tom