I'm trying to decide if I should buy a new windshield for my 1961 and would like your opinions.

This is the original windshield and, as you can see from the photos, there are a few chips around the edge and there is delamination at the top, near the corners. The delamination extends into the windshield about ½" from the edge and the weatherstrip will not quite cover it.

The rest of the windshield is in good condition with no chips or scratches, although it's not as shiny as a new one.



Delamination at top edge near the corner

Corner chip

Edge chip
The advantage of keeping the old one is I know it will fit. Also, the chips around the edge seem stable and will be covered by the rubber. Unfortunately, though, the delamination will be partly visible and I don't know if, and how quickly, it will spread. Assembling and attaching the windshield may impose some stress, which may exacerbate the problem.

Corvette Central has informed me that they get their windshields from Autocity Classic and that they are manufactured overseas. I've seen on this forum comments about overseas glass being thinner and problems with fit.

So, if I keep the old one, I know it will fit, but it won't look as spiffy and may continue to delaminate.

If I buy a new one, it will be all shiny and new, but I may have problems fitting it.

The price of a new one is pretty reasonable so I'm not worried about the cost, although I do have to get it into Canada. Also, I have to buy new side windows, so a new matching set would look good.

Is the old windshield going to continue to delaminate? Will a foreign-made new windshield fit properly? What do you think?

 

I kept my old windshield, although it is not the original (no date coding, etc.).
That was about 2001 that I replaced the rubber, and had the posts repaired by Corvette Central.
It was not chipped, but certainly had/has some minor delamination similar to what you have. The delam has not increased, that I can tell.
The new rubber fit nicely, and I did not use any sealant between the glass & rubber. Have never regretted reusing the old glass.
But that chipping would concern me..

Good luck,
plasticman

 

Do the venders get their glass from Pilkington? I got mine thru local glass company, seemed to fit fine, made by Pilkington. Just some info you might want to check out.

 

Thank-you both for your input.

Corvette Central told me that their source, Autocity Classic, gets theirs from overseas, so I don't know if the glass itself comes from Pilkingtons. I will contact Autocity Classic directly and ask them.

In the meantime, could you give me the contact info for where you got yours? What year is your vehicle?

Thank-you.

 

I just checked with Autocity Classic and they confirmed that their windows are manufactured overseas. Is your windshield made in the U.S.A?

 

I believe Pilkington discontinued the C1 windshield. I got the last one Summit Racing had last year for a clearance price.

 

Oh Rats

 

Auto City now gets them from PMK Diamond in Asia. Ref thread Here.

 

Thank-you for the link. Do you know if and how the problem was solved? Was it the windshield? Was it the rubber? Was it the technique?

 

I would totally keep the original, that delamination is not bad. I can't imagine it getting much worse. My 59 had a date-coded 61 windshield when I bought it. Its condition looks a lot like yours. When I did a body-off, I kept it, even though I restored every other part of the windshield.

 

Not sure, I recall he was waiting for the new CRC rubber but hasn't checked back in with results. You might want to reply to his thread or send him a PM for status.

Rich

 

An original windshield says a lot. JMHO

 

Whether I keep the original depends, I guess, on how bad it is. My 59 glass had a faceted surface caused by age and the elements. Surface so bad that when facing the sun you couldn’t see out of it! Also had wiper marks so was a no brainer. A new glass, like new paint, makes the car sparkle.

 

When you replaced it, did the new one fit perfecrly? Where did you buy it? I'm eager to know your experience to help me with my decision.

Thank-you.

 

I personally think it very foolish not to change the windshield when it is already out and obviously sub-par. To do it after-the-fact would be much more labor and cost. I agree with 59BlueSilver.

 

I heard that this was one of the more difficult jobs to tackle on a C1 so i bit the bullet and had a professional shop do it. I’m pretty sure the glass is thinner by the way the seal fits but they did an excellent job installing it. My interior was pretty bad so I had other things done at the same time, strip & paint dash, new gauges, new dash pad, speaker grille, chrome door posts. Expensive at the time but so glad I got it done. Sorry I couldn’t help.

 

If you are worried that the new windshield would leak, How would you know it on a C1?

 

I had a design for interior windshield wipers for '56-'62.

The Patent lawyers laughed.

 

Now that’s funny!!!

 

My preferance also is to replace the windshield, but I'm trying to find out other people's experience so I can figure out if there's going to be a problem fitting it. I really appreciate the feedback that I'm getting. Thank-you.