Windshields - use oem or repro?

[Anthony L.]

Ok, didn't want to pile onto the other guy's thread. For a 1966 , Is it better to use an oem windshield but wrong dat code? Or use a paragon supplied dated repro? Will the gasket and trim fit the repro the same ? Hard to believe, but in thirty years I have never dealt with a windshield replacement.

[Bob R.]

Re: Windshields - use oem or repro?

Paragon does not actually make a windshield they buy one from a supplier and I think you can purchase one from the same supplier. Pilkington I believe is the only company making C-2 windshields and they purchased the rights to the original logo so you can buy a Pilkington and take a big hit in judging or you can pay them extra for a correct logo and dated windshield. If the glass is clear you should get full credit if it is tinted you will get a deduction.

[James W.]

Re: Windshields - use oem or repro?

Anthony,


My first question to you would be is it a tinted windshield?

Here's what I did. It's not a 1966 Corvette but a 1965. At some point in time (approximately 1968) the '65 convertible I recently restored had it's original tinted windshield replaced with a correct OEM, L.O.F. tinted windshield which has the correct tinting band found at the top of the winshield. The only thing incorrect for judging is the date of manufacture which was 1968. I elected to leave the winshield in place since the only thing wrong with it is the date code which I think is only a 10 or 20 percent deduct in comparrison to having a correctly dated repro windshield with the incorrect windshield tinting band which is a 50 percent deduct.

To answer your question about the repro gasket and trim fit. I have in my '64 convertible a reproduction windshield and did not have any problems with the gasket or trim fit. The key is to find an old-school glass guy that knows how to install them correctly and use the proper grade of gasket sealant between the windshield frame and gasket. A GM Corvette shop manual will give you a lot of good info on windshield installation.

Hope this helps.



Regards,

James West

[Tim G.]

Re: Windshields - use oem or repro?

James, I'm doing the same thing with my '67 tinted windshield with a '69 date code.

[James W.]

Re: Windshields - use oem or repro?

Hello Tim,

In my opinion this is the best way to go. I know a fellow member who actually took out his repro tinted winshield out of his '67 convertible and installed a non-tinted repro to avoid the originality points deduction. To my knowldge he received zero deducts for the non-tinted repro windshield during flight judging.


Regards,

James

[Donald H.]

Re: Windshields - use oem or repro?

I have a similar dilemma. I'm restoring my 66 coupe. Looks like all the glass except one vent window has been replaced. The windshield is tinted and has a 78 date. I have one vent window that seems correct for my car (car is July 66 build and that tinted vent glass is dated June 66). I was considering buying everything (tinted) except the original vent window, which saves me $200 or so.

BUT, if you can get full judging credit for non-tinted windshield, then I may just go ahead and replace all with non-tinted. Does anyone know what the deduct is for the reproduction tinted windshield? The originality for the Windshield, Logo, and date is 20 points. So I'm assuming no more that 20% or 4 points???

Thanks,

Don

[Terry M.]

Re: Windshields - use oem or repro?

Glass is judged as a STANDARD DEDUCTION. The usual CDCIF does NOT apply. There are way too many categories of glass delineated in the NCRS JUDGING REFERENCE MANUAL for me to go into here -- even if i remembered all of them. Consult that manual to see where your example falls.