Is there a 1971 Windshield supplier that produces an authentic replacement?

[Stan B.]

Time to replace and I was curious is there a vendor that makes one that passes the judging standard? My short research shows Auto city glass has a date coded version but some confusion on proper tint or band at the top. Anyone done this recently with the same goal in mind?

[James G.]

Re: Is there a 1971 Windshield supplier that produces an authentic replacement?

Not as far as I have seen - I do know that judges point other owners to cars with original windshields in order to "explain" the difference in the tint bands, - the original follows the shape of the top of the glass and curves as it nears the outside edge- where as the repro goes straight across causing the band to become wider as it nears the outside edge.
FWIW Even if the tint band were correct the AS1 mark should be on the opposite side from which it is located (not right to left but outside to inside)

[Stan B.]

Re: Is there a 1971 Windshield supplier that produces an authentic replacement?

Thank You James. Oh well, trying to get this car back to original is becoming more challenging all the time.

[Mark E.]

Re: Is there a 1971 Windshield supplier that produces an authentic replacement?

Why is it "time to replace" it?

[Stan B.]

Re: Is there a 1971 Windshield supplier that produces an authentic replacement?

It's not the original and is damaged.

[James G.]

Re: Is there a 1971 Windshield supplier that produces an authentic replacement?

I think the replacement windshields take a 30-35 point hit if I correctly remember what the gentleman behind me at regionals said.
What does a windshield recieve for deductions if it is 100% correct - tint band and AS1 between glass layers- but has no logo or date?

BECAUSE If you can find a used original front glass the "wrong" date can fairly easily be polished off.

Then using a micro abrasive blaster for etching glass designs the date can be put back on the glass. The little blaster I have is the size of an airbrush and made by PAASCHE - Harbor Freight has a knock off for $20-$30 which could be used with a stencil from a criscuit or what ever those printer sized stencil makers are called.

[Stan B.]

Re: Is there a 1971 Windshield supplier that produces an authentic replacement?

Is there a corvette salvage yard out there?

[David H.]

Re: Is there a 1971 Windshield supplier that produces an authentic replacement?

Is there a corvette salvage yard out there?

Stan

Some items to consider in making your replacement decision.

First: Windshield glass is evaluated using Standard Deduction Guideline #4. (Section 4, #4 in link below for Percentage Deductions of various situations)

http://ncrsnm.com/pdf/NCRS_2010_%20Std%20Ded_Sections3-4.pdf

Second: OEM in this case is LOF - Libbey-Owens-Ford. LOF was acquired in 1986 by Pilkington Glass - Pilkington subsequently acquired by Nippon Sheet Glass (NSG). So as such, LOF does not exist anymore. NSG sells replacement glass using the "Pilkington" name.

Third: All automotive glass manufacturers identify their product with a Department of Transportation "DOT" code. (Many websites with codes e.g. See link below)

https://www.carwindshields.info/dot_db

Various aftermarket vendors sell windshields with LOF (DOT 15) windshield "bugs" applied, but the actual manufacturer's DOT identifier will still be visible. These vendor applied logos may or may not be identified during judging.

Fourth: Depending on how YOU intend to use this car, take care in selecting replacement glass. These windshields have compound curves - curved top-to-bottom and curved side-to-side. Cheap replacements may have "flat spots". Windshield wiper blades are curved so as to clear water off these compound curves. If the windshield has a "flat spot", the wiper blade will ride over that spot and water won't be cleared.

Pilkington replacements are generally good quality. A few months back, Pilkington quit their "Classic Glass" logo etching service. Other quality manufacturers like PPG also sell aftermarket replacements.

Putting this together, for Flight Judging, you have two considerations - Appearance of Originality and Condition. IF you could find a salvage yard replacement with acceptable date and in perfect condition, then there would be no Originality and no Condition deductions. Big "IF" as salvage yard replacements are likely to have deductions for Condition.

Refer to Standard Deduction Guideline #4. You can search this board for "tinting" threads, but proper tinting on anybody's replacement windshield seems problematic.

Note: AT LEAST 10% OF ORIGINALITY POINTS MUST REMAIN IN ORDER TO JUDGE CONDITION.

SDG #4 has a 90% deduction (10% remaining) for non OEM glass. This means Condition can be judged.

So what's the result? Reference exterior judging sheet link below - Item 10.

https://www.ncrs.org/njc/68-72%20Score%20Sheets/68-72%20Exterior.pdf

Your 1971 has 20 Originality Points and 10 Condition Points assigned to Windshield. A new Non OEM replacement would lose 90% of Originality (18 Points) and lose no Condition points.

You can contact "Chuck Berge chuckberge44@gmail.com" the 1971 National Team Leader and check if "Pilkington", as a successor to LOF, would be considered OEM. If so, then perhaps a 30% or 50% Originality deduction could be achieved.

All these choices come with different costs and different point losses - hope these considerations help.

Dave

[James G.]

Re: Is there a 1971 Windshield supplier that produces an authentic replacement?

yes, Mullikins Corvettes in the upstate of South Carolina actively parts out C3's, removing a windshield without breaking it is much easier with either one of the new induction heaters made for removing glass. or
as I did about 7 years ago made a "hot" knife to cut them out - using a large soldering iron which has a female end which takes 1/4" round bar - I took a piece of 1/4" round bar 4" long and ground 2-1/2" of each side until it was about 3/32 thick then knife edged the sides, bent 90 degree leaving 1" vertical and 1" or so bent to 90deg- I attatched a pull handle off a harbor frt windshield remover to allow me to pull the cutter around - allow to head heat up insert through the urethane and pull until it is through top and one side - have someone push gently from inside, while finishing the cut - use some suction cups to handle the glass - the gooey mess should come out without incident.

[Stan B.]

Re: Is there a 1971 Windshield supplier that produces an authentic replacement?

Thanks David, that gives me a lot to think about. My goal is: Every time I replace a part I replace it with a date correct Top Flight eligible part.
Thanks James, I will give Mullikins a call.