Vent Windows for the doors?!?!

[Greasemonkey2000]

OMG! Looks fantastic, Marc! So this is still the acrylic version? I want it raw, that looks awesome!!

You have a price point yet?

[NCGreasemonkey]

Ok, clean-up on vent-window isle!!! Matte black is in my wheel-house!!! Thanks you Marc!!!

[★ revlimiter ★]

WOW!!!!

[—RuckkehrMiata—]

[— Hammerhead —]

These look awesome! I do have a question (not a criticism), though. On older cars with vent windows, the pointy forward end rotated inwards into the cockpit of the car, where yours rotates outwards. This would negate the ability to open the vent window to draw air out. Imagine if you are holding a cigarette in your left hand - in old cars, you could pop the vent window open a bit to draw air and smoke out.

Why did you opt for it to open outwards?

[Slampen]

Why did you opt for it to open outwards?

Because smoking kills (almost as much as sugar.).

[— Hammerhead —]

😂

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

[Greasemonkey2000]

The issue you are referring to, Hammerhead, has been 'beaten to death' on another forum but here was Marc's response to the same question:

Well we did try with the design you showed and it's bringing a lot less wind in the cabin. But if you guys want it the other way around, it's no problem at all, I can propose both options so that everybody is happy. :wave:

Update soon!!!

And a further explanation to what Hammerhead is referring to:

I think a huge majority of drivers just don't know, or have ever experienced vent windows. Back before a/c became standard equipment, cars had wonderful ventilation systems. In the '40's and early '50's, they had cowl vents that would actually pop up in front of the base of the windshield to scoop in gobs of fresh air. Later, they went to vents in the front kick panels that were operated by a pull knob at the lower end of each side of the dash. These knobs opened a huge plenum door, which could be as large as maybe 5 by 7 inches, or even greater! Each front passenger could let in as much air as they desired, but the air came in at the kick panels and ventilated the whole cabin area. The vent windows augmented these vents by providing an escape for that air, as well as deflecting the air from buffeting around your head and ears. Also, you could have the vent windows cracked open even in the rain to vent the cabin. As NW xxxx explained, it was a system to create pressure differentials to move air around.
As a/c became more common, the cars equipped with factory a/c started dropping the kick panel vents, but held onto vent windows for a few more years. Then by the early '70's, the bean counters dropped those from the menu.
Like I said before, try to bum a ride in a '60's car that has no a/c, but has kick panel vents and vent windows. Like a mid '60's Corvair, or something similar.

Another thing you can do is get a piece of heavy cardboard to duct-tape to the rear of your Miata quarter windows that will serve as an air deflector, and as you're driving with the window down, push out on the deflector to about a 30-40 degree angle to simulate a vent window that opens. You'll be astonished at the reduced buffeting that even a two-inch wide strip of heavy cardboard or something similar that you can hold out to simulate an open vent window will make.

My opinion though on this matter....

I honestly do not gets yalls hang up on the direction it opens as Marc already stated the way they are currently configured results in better direct air flow, which is what I would think most are concerned wit. Having a pop out vent window currently and seeing the decent amount of air it flows vs what I recall my '72 Chevelle achieving with a much larger opening, i will take the current Carbon Miata configuration, personally.

If people are so concerned with wind noise why in the world would buy a convertible, much less a miata that doesn't have a reputation for being especially quiet even with the top up. It is fantastic that Marc is willing to accommodate both sides but i would all but guarantee most will opt for his current design vs the 'traditional' one.

Again i had a '72 Chevelle with the traditional vent window and never it did much for direct air flow but as it turns out from information above it doesn't sound like that was the main purpose. Also they let in rain if open, no alot but more than most would want. To each their own, i guess.

Something note worthy is that the main 'objector', quoted above, to Marc's current design has NO first hand experience with currently available miata vent windows that do open facing forward or can be rotated, nor did any of the other objectors relay having such first hand experience with miata specific vent windows currently available.

The current pop out vent window on the 'pilot side' of Warbird is rather effective at getting fresh air in and i really like it but definitely think Marc's new design will be the superior option.

[— Hammerhead —]

Thanks for the info.I hadn't seen any of this other conversation before. I'd buy a set regardless.

[CarbonMiata]

Thanks for copy pasting my answers here!!!

We can do both designs... It's pretty easy to mirror what we designed already!

I am going to fit one of the latest designs on the NA and NB today and I will post pictures and a video. We are quickly getting there!!!

[CarbonMiata]

Thanks for all your feedback and ideas! It's definitely helpful! Well I understand some people want to open them the other way and it's not a big deal. As I said, we can offer both designs without any problem. We just need to make sure it won't hit/interfere with the mirrors.

Here is our new prototype. The major changes being:

- Black frame
- 3 locking points
- PC material instead of acrylic (much more resistant)

A few pictures:













On those pictures, I reused the OEM seal that was on the original glass. I don't want you guys to have to do that as the seal can be old and could break while removing it. Also it's easier to keep the OEM seal on the window in case you want to go back to OEM. So here are the next steps to complete until we can release the set:

- change all the locks and axis by stainless steel ones
- make a mold for the seal

This is by far the most complicated product we had to design! Please allow some time to perfect it! Thanks!

[—RuckkehrMiata—]

You got all the time you need, I can wait...

Painfully, I can wait...

I should mark this thread "NSFW"

[Greasemonkey2000]

I still can't believe how fast you are completing this project and how great/functional it looks!! So excited for such a neat new vent window option!!

[NCGreasemonkey]

Marc, thank you for your support and ingenuity! I want the inward tured vents in black trim, please. Wonderful work on a short time-line!

[wannafbody]

Are the locking clips plastic or metal? Not sure it's a huge difference being that the softtops can be easily cut open with knife if someone really wants in.