C3 Windshield Questions
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,556
Likes: 52
From: SoCal Twin Turbo, Any Questions?
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
C3 Windshield Questions
I have a few questions about the windshields on C3s.
1) For those of you who have removed them for a restoration, what was your method of storing them to prevent damage?
I am thinking a cardboard box with expanding foam, but I am open to recommendations.
2) What is the difference between a '68-72 windshield and a '73-'75 Windshield?
I purchased a '74 as a parts car for my '69 project, and in looking at windshields online, it looks like they might be different. Will a '74 fit on a '69?
The car is a resto-mod, so if its only like a date stamp or a marking that makes it different, I am not concerned.
I did some research on here, and in my manuals, and no luck, any and all help is appreciated
1) For those of you who have removed them for a restoration, what was your method of storing them to prevent damage?
I am thinking a cardboard box with expanding foam, but I am open to recommendations.
2) What is the difference between a '68-72 windshield and a '73-'75 Windshield?
I purchased a '74 as a parts car for my '69 project, and in looking at windshields online, it looks like they might be different. Will a '74 fit on a '69?
The car is a resto-mod, so if its only like a date stamp or a marking that makes it different, I am not concerned.
I did some research on here, and in my manuals, and no luck, any and all help is appreciated
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
The shape at the bottom of the windshield (across the cowl area) changed in 1973 and continued to 1976.
If you go to the Auto City Classic Glass website and look at the Corvette pages you'll be able to see the difference between 68-72 windshields and 73-76 windshields.
If your car still has it's original windshield you have to be very careful cutting it out.
The SLIGHTEST nick in the edge will start a crack.
I had the glass from my 71 completely loose and it cracked lifting it out. Probably occured at a nick I didn't even realize I'd made.
It takes a surprisingly big box to store the glass!
Regards,
Alan
I believe the 73-76 glass covers some of the locations on the cowl where the wiper door mechanism and it's stops are mounted.
The shape at the bottom of the windshield (across the cowl area) changed in 1973 and continued to 1976.
If you go to the Auto City Classic Glass website and look at the Corvette pages you'll be able to see the difference between 68-72 windshields and 73-76 windshields.
If your car still has it's original windshield you have to be very careful cutting it out.
The SLIGHTEST nick in the edge will start a crack.
I had the glass from my 71 completely loose and it cracked lifting it out. Probably occured at a nick I didn't even realize I'd made.
It takes a surprisingly big box to store the glass!
Regards,
Alan
I believe the 73-76 glass covers some of the locations on the cowl where the wiper door mechanism and it's stops are mounted.
Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 14, 2015 at 05:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,556
Likes: 52
From: SoCal Twin Turbo, Any Questions?
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
Hi,
The shape at the bottom of the windshield (across the cowl area) changed in 1973 and continued to 1976.
If you go to the Auto City Classic Glass website and look at the Corvette pages you'll be able to see the difference between 68-72 windshields and 73-76 windshields.
If your car still has it's original windshield you have to be very careful cutting it out.
The SLIGHTEST nick in the edge will start a crack.
I had the glass from my 71 completely loose and it cracked lifting it out. Probably occured at a nick I didn't even realize I'd made.
It takes a surprisingly big box to store the glass!
Regards,
Alan
I believe the 73-76 glass covers some of the locations on the cowl where the wiper door mechanism and it's stops are mounted.
The shape at the bottom of the windshield (across the cowl area) changed in 1973 and continued to 1976.
If you go to the Auto City Classic Glass website and look at the Corvette pages you'll be able to see the difference between 68-72 windshields and 73-76 windshields.
If your car still has it's original windshield you have to be very careful cutting it out.
The SLIGHTEST nick in the edge will start a crack.
I had the glass from my 71 completely loose and it cracked lifting it out. Probably occured at a nick I didn't even realize I'd made.
It takes a surprisingly big box to store the glass!
Regards,
Alan
I believe the 73-76 glass covers some of the locations on the cowl where the wiper door mechanism and it's stops are mounted.
Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,687
Likes: 832
From: WI
Windshields are more durable than people think. I have 4 (or maybe it's 5) windshields down in the basement, they're sittting up-right in the corner on a piece of carpeting against the wall, just a foam divider between each of them. Been there more than 12 years (various restorations). If you go to about any salvage yard they have racks of windshields (sometimes upright, sometimes horizontal), sometimes hundreds in a room. I've carried many around, in and out. They flex and all that. Never broke one yet ...that wasn't already damaged. But if there's a hidden crack, bad nick or bullseye, they can crack. If yours isn't OEM, I'd consider replacing once you remove, unless it's pretty new. A new *clear* windshield is a beautiful thing. Like driving a new car.
.
.
Last edited by Mark G; Jun 13, 2020 at 10:44 PM.
