WTB: Windshield and frame

I have one from my CMC. I'm a little south of Boston but can send it on it's way with someone or...  But I'll tell you, I did the same thing with mine. Bent the goddamn thing eight ways to Sunday and finally said screw it (a little more potty than that) and bought a VS one. Didn't want to spend the money but it looks so much better.

Sorry, all I have is the frame.

kart45,

where are you located?

Boothy, how much to ship to Hawaii 96746?

Might try http://vintagespeedsterparts.com/glassandmirror.aspx for cheaper parts too.  Shipping not listed for these oversized items.

Bill, I'll check but not sure it's worth it. I'll take a pic too but I think Wolfgang is right. How did I miss that site all this time? Thanks Wolfgang!

Maybe it's time for somebody to fiddle with 21st century hard resin technology and produce a non-glass windshield that will tolerate stresses involved in mounting it.

I'm sure a lot of people... including Dave Stroud...would greatly appreciate that.  

Thanks also for solving a long standing question. I've been looking at this forever wonder "WTF is that? Too big for a marital aid -well maybe not. Hmmmm" 

I checked these guys out and found out Vintage Speedsters is a customer of theirs. I asked about DOT cert and the response I got back was "...Item W1109 windshield doesn't need to be DOT certified for the older models, it only appliers to the 1975 and newer models..." I'm building a CMC from a 1970 Beetle in Virginia.

Any comments/suggestions on this quote? Does everyone driving a speedster not have DOT on their glass?

Please excuse the slight thread drift:

A much older cousin built a '32 roadster when he was still in high school...Fenderless, dropped spindles, wide white walls...the works. He topped it off with a sporty two piece windshield from a Chris Craft motor boat...I loved it!

Has anybody ever considered (or seen) such a pre-war period windshield on a speedster?...Rich, why not power up your Photoshop and whip out a visual.

Kart,

You may get several seemingly contradictory responses, all of which may be correct.  This is due to the nature of replica ownership and the differing registration requirements of 50 states.  Example: Vintage Speedsters still advertises on their website that they license their replicas as a VW, with the year depending on the donor frame.  Thus, a replica licensed as a 64  VW would seem to be exempt from the DOT cert for vehicles 1975 and newer.

However, some registrations, such as CA's specialty construction, are registered by the year registered.  Mine, for example, is registered with CA DMV as a 2013 SPCN replica, which would seem to require the DOT sticker.  From memory, mine doesn't have one.  I'm not even sure who would be the person responsible for checking.  My gut feeling is that, if the product passes muster with VS, it will work for you also.  Best of luck in whatever you decide. 

Great input Jim thank you!

Jim

It can be a frustrating occurrence, Jim. I've cracked more windshields than anyone on the list ...possibly all the list combined. I'm on number five in five years. One cracked on shipping motor freight across the US, 9 ( the shipper swears he never moved the car by pulling on the windshield ) , two got whacked by stones from vehicles in front, one cracked overnight at Carlisle which was installed in a hurry. The last one was installed with the best available info on the "how to do it" sections of a few lists from the net and this list.

It seems a simple task to do, but the last time I installed one, ( prior to Carlisle this year ) I installed a brand new upper rubber into the upper frame, did it all by the book and it took what I'd call too much force to make it fit. It was tighter than a ducks arse. I removed it and lubed it all up with very soapy water. It still fitted tight and I was uncomfortable  with it but went with it having all new rubber.

This iteration starting cracking in the right side ( always in the right side ) about a thousand miles into the South. No rocks hit it. My newly installed hardtop put no pull back pressure on it.

My next approach was to install a home made upper rubber out of split clear rubber tubing (lubed again, ) which was an EASY AND A NICE FIT  into my windshield frame and then ease that down upon the lower, stock rubber lip, (lubed again ) , then fixing that to the left and right posts and gently bringing them down home all the while checking the fit along the lower rubber.

In general, my thoughts are that if you are not a professional with new products of a proven source, some variances will apply. My car is an older IM and I drive it...like 40,000 miles plus over the last four years. Still no excuse for not getting the windshield thing right.

But, if your windshield cracked overnight just resting in the upper frame something is quite wrong.

Thanks David, yes my upper frame was quite bent when I got it and I reformed it to what I thought was a good fit it went on quite easy. But clearly the frame was not what it should be so I am buying a new frame and glass from whomever I finally decide. Then hope it shows up in good shape after shipping.

Jim

David,

From an armchair perspective only, it sounds like your installed window has an unacceptable torque load on it after installation.  Not sure how you would/could measure the body and window frame to determine if it's truly symettrical, but something seems misaligned once installed.  

You are now an expert installer, so I'm sure you are assembling and torquing to specs and have the install process down pat.  I guess the next step would be to have an auto glass guy install it and get a do over on the warranty if it cracked within a certain time.  

Best of luck in whatever you do, and thanks for letting others know of your problem.  That's how we all learn about our cars, when owners share their experiences, both good and bad.

Doh, sorry David, I just realized your post above was to Kart Jim, not me.   

All windshields must have a AS-1 stamp and the side & rear windows a AS-2 stamp.

David if it happens again on your car I would think to ask Henry if he has an opinion on the changes to the frame since your pan car was made. Maybe you have an issue he can help with. 

I must say that Carey Hines and his crew at BECK has been very supportive in my dilemma. I was lucky enough to "win" a new windshield at SOC Carlisle lottery where he donated one finishing our mega trip across the USA back in 2012 I think it was. A rock or two eventually got that one and I bought one from him at a very fair price with excellent, prompt and safe shipping. Subsequently, one broke in my travels last year to Florida and back up to Carlisle and he donated another.

If it happens again, I won't accept another. They're a good crew. Thanks BECK

And, Art....your point is ?

As Alan stated AS-1 is dual layer safety glass with the lamination in between the glass. I would see it as suitable for our Speedsters.  A cheap windshield glass will have a wavy view due to poor quality glass.  You'd think that in the view area they would do a QA check.  Quality light lenses have DOT and SAE marking on them --- except for repro TAIWAN ones. Headlight are DOT approved too (save for those that say for off road use only).  I noticed that my windshield posts are held to aluminum frame with short machine screws.  If you mistakenly use sheet metal - the screw points could indeed just make contact make with the glass and first bump you hit and --- CRACK!