Should I get a date coded Windshield?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 181
From: Concord CA
Should I get a date coded Windshield?
Hello - If your reading this, I'd like your 2-cents.
I'm trying to figure if its worth it for me to put in a date coded windshield when the car isn't "original". I want it to "look original" but it never will be. Allow me to explain...
The engine is a 327 (I believe 61/62 corvette block)...with original 283 (X58 heads), intake, exhaust, carb, air cleaner, radiator, generator.
The front has been replaced (old hand laid job).
I'm in the mist of still restoring it, and when I'm done, I'd like to get it NCRS judged just to see how many points it brings in. I don't know anything about judging.
I'd just like the car to perhaps win "best in show, people's choice, etc" so its value will go up and I have proof of it's worth.
The big question is...is it worth the extra money to buy a date coded windshield considering what I have?
I'm trying to figure if its worth it for me to put in a date coded windshield when the car isn't "original". I want it to "look original" but it never will be. Allow me to explain...
The engine is a 327 (I believe 61/62 corvette block)...with original 283 (X58 heads), intake, exhaust, carb, air cleaner, radiator, generator.
The front has been replaced (old hand laid job).
I'm in the mist of still restoring it, and when I'm done, I'd like to get it NCRS judged just to see how many points it brings in. I don't know anything about judging.
I'd just like the car to perhaps win "best in show, people's choice, etc" so its value will go up and I have proof of it's worth.
The big question is...is it worth the extra money to buy a date coded windshield considering what I have?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,234
Likes: 355
From: Albuquerque, NM
To start with, what year is the car?
If you're restoring it for the purpose of NCRS judging, then yes, get a dated windshield. But the windshield will be down fairly low on the list of correct parts the car will need. It sounds like the engine and the front fiberglass are non original. Those are major items, and if you're not going to correct them to NCRS standards it really doesn't make a lot of sense to spend extra money on something like the windshield.
You should decide which way you want to go with the car. If it's the original/NCRS route, you'll need to commit to spend a relatively large amount of money correcting the body and finding an correct engine with all the right parts. Some people would do that, but to most people it doesn't make a lot of sense to spend lots of time and money making a non-original car into something it's not.
It sounds like the best way to go with your car may be to make it a really nice occasional weekend driver/local cruise-in show car. That way you can still collect trophies at local shows where they're not judging strict originality, and you can have fun driving the car. And on a car like that, the date on the windshield doesn't matter! Good luck!
If you're restoring it for the purpose of NCRS judging, then yes, get a dated windshield. But the windshield will be down fairly low on the list of correct parts the car will need. It sounds like the engine and the front fiberglass are non original. Those are major items, and if you're not going to correct them to NCRS standards it really doesn't make a lot of sense to spend extra money on something like the windshield.
You should decide which way you want to go with the car. If it's the original/NCRS route, you'll need to commit to spend a relatively large amount of money correcting the body and finding an correct engine with all the right parts. Some people would do that, but to most people it doesn't make a lot of sense to spend lots of time and money making a non-original car into something it's not.
It sounds like the best way to go with your car may be to make it a really nice occasional weekend driver/local cruise-in show car. That way you can still collect trophies at local shows where they're not judging strict originality, and you can have fun driving the car. And on a car like that, the date on the windshield doesn't matter! Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 181
From: Concord CA
Its a 1958...
This is all good info. 4 points that's it? Doesn't sound like it's worth the extra money.
Considering that....if I go to a local glass shop, do I need to worry that it will fit properly? I mean are most made these days correct?
Or should I pay the 100 bucks for shipping from Corvette Central?
This is all good info. 4 points that's it? Doesn't sound like it's worth the extra money.
Considering that....if I go to a local glass shop, do I need to worry that it will fit properly? I mean are most made these days correct?
Or should I pay the 100 bucks for shipping from Corvette Central?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 989
Likes: 13
From: Gloucester Point VA
Buyer beware!
The glass you get from a local glass installer may or may not be like the glass sold my Corvette vendors. That being said I'd be more concerned with the glass shop being familiar with C1 Vettes, if they know how to do the install they'll know if the glass if OK. Doing a WS on a C1 is worlds different from other, newer cars.
Removing the WS requires some disassembly of the interior. The WS frame is attached to the dash and is accessible only from under the dash. The "end tabs" of the WS posts are easy to break. The WS frame is a jigsaw puzzle that must be reassembled in the correct order. The WS gasket must be aligned properly or it won't look right after installation. If the shop doesn't know all of thrsr things they are the wrong place to get the work done.
The best thing you can do is find a place that specializes in Vettes and get the work done there. If you can't find a Vette shop check with the local Hot Rod crowd and they may be able to direct you to someone that does this kind of work.
Removing the WS requires some disassembly of the interior. The WS frame is attached to the dash and is accessible only from under the dash. The "end tabs" of the WS posts are easy to break. The WS frame is a jigsaw puzzle that must be reassembled in the correct order. The WS gasket must be aligned properly or it won't look right after installation. If the shop doesn't know all of thrsr things they are the wrong place to get the work done.
The best thing you can do is find a place that specializes in Vettes and get the work done there. If you can't find a Vette shop check with the local Hot Rod crowd and they may be able to direct you to someone that does this kind of work.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 181
From: Concord CA
Thanks for the info...I'm going to be putting in the glass myself as I don't trust anyone else. My car is all apart at the moment. I did it before, I can do it again.
I did call a local corvette dealer....they told me that for me to get the clear glass, only a few manufactures make it and its only 20 bucks extra for the date stamp. He said, otherwise, you'll be looking at tinted glass at half the price. I didn't know that. I was planning on putting in clear glass.
I did call a local corvette dealer....they told me that for me to get the clear glass, only a few manufactures make it and its only 20 bucks extra for the date stamp. He said, otherwise, you'll be looking at tinted glass at half the price. I didn't know that. I was planning on putting in clear glass.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 46
From: So Cal
I've done a number of C1 windshields, but only because I was unable to find anyone I could pay to do the job. No one is So Cal was able to say that they had done the job before so I attacked. Really not that bad a job and you have a great sence on accomplishment when finished
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 181
From: Concord CA
As I mentioned, I did it a long time ago, but in the process of restoring my car, I accidently cracked the glass while moving it. I have another windshield that is tinted green, but its really green and I don't like it. I tried to do a test fit with it while I have been doing some body work, and I'll be damn if I can get the window and the stainless into the channel. I wish I had the one I cracked as I could compare the thickness.
I didn't have this much trouble the first time around...and yes, I have tried to lubricate it first....actually covered this on another post.
I don't want to get too side tracked, but I guess my job now is to find a clear windshield that won't cost me an arm and a leg...but I think its going to anyway.
While I'm at it, I'm also going to replace the back windshield and the small side windows on the hardtop.
I didn't have this much trouble the first time around...and yes, I have tried to lubricate it first....actually covered this on another post.
I don't want to get too side tracked, but I guess my job now is to find a clear windshield that won't cost me an arm and a leg...but I think its going to anyway.
While I'm at it, I'm also going to replace the back windshield and the small side windows on the hardtop.