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I had a bit of an oh crap moment this morning. A deer jumped out of the woods and ran in front of me too close to avoid. It hit hard on the front left corner of my CMC/Fiberfab Californian, slid diagonally over the hood and slammed the windshield right of center. I expected it to collapse the windshield frame and land in the passenger cabin with my nephew and I, but the brackets held nicely and it slid off into the grass on the side of the road, where it died of its injuries.

Nobody was injured and my declared value insurance policy will hopefully cover the repair costs, which may be pricey thanks to the fresh gouges and stress cracks in the fiberglass.  I've been searching for repair parts, but not having much luck with the CMC amber glass front turn signal lens, bezel, and horn grill assembly. The parts sold by Vintage Speedster Parts, Sierra Madre, and even on eBay are either original beehives or reproductions thereof, while the CMC parts are shaped more like a thimble. Any idea where I can find these, either used or NOS?

I also have a question on sourcing the windshield glass. I'm assuming mine is the original shipped by CMC/Fiberfab. Will the glass supplied by Vintage Speedster Parts fit, or do i need to be looking elsewhere, and if so where?

Thanks in advance,IMG_20240720_105601337_HDRIMG_20240720_111724960_HDRIMG_20240720_120517027_HDR
Eric

57 CMC widebody, 1776, Dell 40s, IRS, 4 wheel discs, 18" Boyds, 225/35/18

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Sorry to hear about your misfortune, Eric, but glad you're both ok.  You can probably get windshield parts from Carey ( @chines1) at Special Edition/Beck.  I doubt that replacement CMC turn signal lenses will be easy to locate, but maybe someone has a hoard somewhere.  I guess you could go with the more realistic style and get it from Carey as well, but you'd have to swap out the undamaged one.

For the fiberglass repair the common wisdom here seems to be to find a place that is known for repairing Corvettes.  Good luck.

Last edited by Lane Anderson

I'd contact Cary at BESCK SE for a windshield - he has supplied many to folks attending Carlisle even and isn't that far from you.  I don't think fitment has ever been issue on CMC/FF.  The CMC turn signals were Signal STAT brand used for clearance lights on 18 wheelers. Recall having hard time getting 2 that matched back in '90 from CMC.  I'm using Lucas assemblies (~$30 each) from Moss Motors (off an AH/TR) - they have clear or amber glass lenses and use 1 or 2 filament bulbs).

Lf LucasIMG_1391IMG_1390

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Last edited by WOLFGANG

Thanks @Gordon Nichols! Yankee 975 was the info I needed. Mine appear identical, but are reproductions with no markings. @WOLFGANG, thanks for your info as well. It's good to know I have compatible options. I actually like the look of yours, they're closer to the original look than mine.

For now, I hammered the retaining ring into a mostly round shape and reinstalled the original glass lens, which is scratched and chipped. My nephew and I went back to the scene yesterday and found both parts. I also ordered new EMPI headlight buckets and lenses. At least I'll have lights when I run it up to the body shop for an estimate. I can even get this year's PA state inspection out of the way, it's due next month.

Then it'll be time to work through the repair estimate with my insurance company. I've never opened a claim with American Modern until now, fingers crossed that it goes smoothly. 

Interestingly enough, the OEM Porsche 356 directional lens fits the Yankee 975 base.

You will have to shim the Porsche lens with a water-proof gasket because the lens mounting flange is thinner than the Yankee lens and the trim bezel doesn't hold it enough, but any closed-cell foam sheet like you get in some Amazon deliveries will do.  I will look to see if I still have my old Yankee lenses.  I can't guarantee much, as I replaced them 25 years ago and I may have given them to the raffle at Carlisle, one year, but that may not be true.  If I find them I'll let you know.

Here is a Yankee 975 base with a Porsche 356 Pre-A lens.  IIRC, I got them from Stoddard's and they are glass, not plastic.  Pardon the bug splats.

IMG_3356IMG_3361

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Last edited by Gordon Nichols
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