Windshield Purchase
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 12
Windshield Purchase
Looking for recommendations on where the best place to purchase 1970 windshield. In checking a few places they
talk about original green tinted windshield. My original windshield does not appear to have a green tint to it only
the top sun shade tint can anyone tell me more about that. Thanks
talk about original green tinted windshield. My original windshield does not appear to have a green tint to it only
the top sun shade tint can anyone tell me more about that. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Auto City recently told me to expect about 6 to 8 weeks lead time.
Seem to have a good reputation if you can wait.
I ended up buying from KoolKatz, https://koolkatzautoglass.com/, got a windshield within a few weeks, a Pilkington windshield which was unexpected after hearing Pilkington stopped making windshields for classic cars. Old stock? Fit is good, no waves or distortion I've noticed.
They seem to offer either PPG or Pilkington.
My car is a 70 as well.
Seem to have a good reputation if you can wait.
I ended up buying from KoolKatz, https://koolkatzautoglass.com/, got a windshield within a few weeks, a Pilkington windshield which was unexpected after hearing Pilkington stopped making windshields for classic cars. Old stock? Fit is good, no waves or distortion I've noticed.
They seem to offer either PPG or Pilkington.
My car is a 70 as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 241
From: Green Valley Ca
I used Auto City, I wanted a date coded windshield, the date coding has a lead time. If your not date coding your windshield then any of the the windshield vendors mentioned would work. You might also check the shipping cost of the vendors.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
If you're looking for date coded, correct thickness glass, you may try Zip.
They expected 8 weeks lead time.
I couldn't get specific information regarding their claim of the glass being original thickness, what exactly do they think original thickness is?
Nor could I find out who made the glass.
Problem I see with getting date coded glass is it will be tough to return if you're not satisfied with the quality, could be wavy or doesn't quite fit well.
Best to get some sort of agreement on what the terms are for returning before ordering.
Installation is another hassle.
Most windshields are thinner than originals, if the installer uses a ribbon of adhesive to install, the glass may sit low in the frame leaving a gap between the glass and trim.
I used an installer who laid a bead of adhesive, thick enough to bring the glass up to the height needed to contact the trim.
They expected 8 weeks lead time.
I couldn't get specific information regarding their claim of the glass being original thickness, what exactly do they think original thickness is?
Nor could I find out who made the glass.
Problem I see with getting date coded glass is it will be tough to return if you're not satisfied with the quality, could be wavy or doesn't quite fit well.
Best to get some sort of agreement on what the terms are for returning before ordering.
Installation is another hassle.
Most windshields are thinner than originals, if the installer uses a ribbon of adhesive to install, the glass may sit low in the frame leaving a gap between the glass and trim.
I used an installer who laid a bead of adhesive, thick enough to bring the glass up to the height needed to contact the trim.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 241
From: Green Valley Ca
If you're looking for date coded, correct thickness glass, you may try Zip.
They expected 8 weeks lead time.
I couldn't get specific information regarding their claim of the glass being original thickness, what exactly do they think original thickness is?
Nor could I find out who made the glass.
Problem I see with getting date coded glass is it will be tough to return if you're not satisfied with the quality, could be wavy or doesn't quite fit well.
Best to get some sort of agreement on what the terms are for returning before ordering.
Installation is another hassle.
Most windshields are thinner than originals, if the installer uses a ribbon of adhesive to install, the glass may sit low in the frame leaving a gap between the glass and trim.
I used an installer who laid a bead of adhesive, thick enough to bring the glass up to the height needed to contact the trim.
They expected 8 weeks lead time.
I couldn't get specific information regarding their claim of the glass being original thickness, what exactly do they think original thickness is?
Nor could I find out who made the glass.
Problem I see with getting date coded glass is it will be tough to return if you're not satisfied with the quality, could be wavy or doesn't quite fit well.
Best to get some sort of agreement on what the terms are for returning before ordering.
Installation is another hassle.
Most windshields are thinner than originals, if the installer uses a ribbon of adhesive to install, the glass may sit low in the frame leaving a gap between the glass and trim.
I used an installer who laid a bead of adhesive, thick enough to bring the glass up to the height needed to contact the trim.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 331
Likes: 123
From: Sandusky, OH
DW00714GBN NAGS code is Domestic Windshield 714 Green tint Blue band. In 1970, the choices were clear, green tint, and green tint with blue band. All that’s manufactured is green tint, blue band anymore. I don’t think Pilkington has manufactured aftermarket windshields in ten years. Guardian Glass either. PPG spun off aftermarket glass to PGW. Everything now is made in Taiwan or China. The next player for A/G is XYG and FYG. I have never seen a Safelite branded Corvette shield.
Steve O.
Steve O.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?
Brett Foote
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)
Joe Kucinski
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)
Joe Kucinski
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made
Brett Foote
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 241
From: Green Valley Ca
The repo windshield thickness measures 6.76 mm that equals 17/64” an original 1971 windshield was measured at 9/32” for a difference of 1/64”. Making this repo windshield a 1/64” thinner.
Last edited by boat196; Sep 6, 2022 at 01:39 PM. Reason: Correct
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,398
From: SW Florida.
my installer said no problemo. he knew how to get correct height. then he did 1 squirt of urethane like it was a camry and left. now i am gonna have to do some kind of thin black ribbon under top trim to fill the near 1/4 inch gap. there is something to be said or butyl rope. the glass is physically held in by the trim.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
my installer said no problemo. he knew how to get correct height. then he did 1 squirt of urethane like it was a camry and left. now i am gonna have to do some kind of thin black ribbon under top trim to fill the near 1/4 inch gap. there is something to be said or butyl rope. the glass is physically held in by the trim.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 241
From: Green Valley Ca
I was told the difference in thickness was somewhere around 0.100". Was told the problem with thinner windshields is they sit lower in the frame, don't make contact with the trim when using a ribbon sealer. How did your installer compensate for the difference in thickness? Did they lay a bead of sealer thick enough to get the windshield to the correct height? I've seen windshields installed which appear sunken, looks bad.
I had a glass installer help with my windshield installation, I dry fit my windshield prior, IIRC the urethane was applied taller than what was required.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
To add to the discussion, I just measured an XYG windshield I have laying around, 4.7mm thickness (0.185039 inches). About 0.100" thinner than 9/32 (0.28125 inches). Thickness seems to vary depending on the manufacturer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
GM Cert Corvette Tech
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 585
From: Anaheim Hills California
Surprisingly I ordered a windshield about 10 years ago from Safelight. Two technicians came with the new windshield with the green band at the top and did a very impressive job putting it in. Whole job cost me I think about $400
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 241
From: Green Valley Ca
Its not a difficult job, for a pro installer, it’s all that goes along with the installation, like the OP having the trim polished. A new windshield from Auto City Glass today along with shipping will cost more than the $400 you spent ten years ago.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
This time I found an installer who uses urethane, lays down a bead around the perimeter with depth sufficient to bring the glass up to where it should be.