Abstract: An enclosed louver actuating mechanism is disclosed which employs generally a rack and pinion gear system for actuating a plurality of louvers. The louver mechanism is configured so that upon manual rotation of one louver the remaining louvers are rotated. The louver mechanism is contained within a longitudinal slot in a stile of a louvered panel and includes a plurality of pinion gears enmeshed between opposing longitudinal gear racks. A pinion gear is provided for each louver and is located in the stile between the gear racks so that the longitudinal gear racks translate in opposite directions relative the pinion gears. A longitudinal cover encloses the rack and pinion drive mechanism and includes through holes corresponding to the pinion gears and louvers. Drive pins are received through the longitudinal cover between the louvers and pinion gears.