[sc_rufctr]

Some great ideas but it would be best if you could get to the bottom of the window to help get it open once you release the leather straps.

Releasing the leather straps alone normally won't do it. The window will just stays were it is.

I had a Fiat 500 with similar leather straps. To open the windows I had to push the window down just a bit by sliding my hand downwards against the glass. After a bit of a struggle I could then get my hand over the top and get it the rest of the way down. It was a real PITA...

I tried making small alloy handles that were glued over the top of the glass but they made the window wedge in even more and looked like crap.
In the end I cut neat holes on the trims so I could grab the bottom of the window to get it down.

Looking at some of the photos above I don't know how the drivers of the cars get the widows down without a struggle.

I hope someone else chimes in with a better solution.