Canada-Does GM Still Sell C3 Windshields?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Canada-Does GM Still Sell C3 Windshields?
Mine is showing 35 years of pitting and some wiper scratches. It is OK for safety but I am thinking of having it replaced. If it is available in North America my GM dealer can get it. And do the job. Or there may be other suppliers in Canada. I just want to avoid the typical UPS shipment/brokerage $$s dance. As well I guess I will need a clip set? Is that a good move? Advice would be appreciated.
Last edited by Paul L; Jan 25, 2011 at 03:29 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Pilkington is ok, stay away from Safelite. Pilkington is Mexico and the former LOF.
The problems with all brands of these OEM AGR windshields is that they may not conform to the pinchweld as the original manufactured glass.
Make sure the installer has done a c3 before and your install won't be thrown into his daily rushed quota.
I got a Pilkington installed for 200 bucks, clip set from any vender.
There should be no shipping etc, from local distribution.
Do your homework.
The problems with all brands of these OEM AGR windshields is that they may not conform to the pinchweld as the original manufactured glass.
Make sure the installer has done a c3 before and your install won't be thrown into his daily rushed quota.
I got a Pilkington installed for 200 bucks, clip set from any vender.
There should be no shipping etc, from local distribution.
Do your homework.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 38
From: Cedar,BC
I would be surprised if a GM dealer could get a windshield for a new C6,yet alone a C3!I'm willing to bet most of them farm out their glass work to the local speciality glass shop or one of those mobile guys.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Our Club does has numerous contacts in the local automotive community. Perhaps the best approach is to use my colleagues' recommendations. Mike has suggested Speedy as one starting point, I assume based on the extensive experience he has had.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Pilkington fits mine OK!
Once upon a time while enjoying a sunny Sunday AM drive a low flying bird crashed into my windshield! Nothing but broken glass and feathers everywhere! Went to a shop that has done many C-3's on Monday and I was in and out in no time. They didn't mention anything about a clip set.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
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From: Stratford Ontario
When I had my windshield removed to repair the frame support, the Guy new as He was carring it that it was the original windshield. I asked him how He knew, and He said all replacements are thinner and He could tell by the thickness that it was original. So I believe that any replacement would be thinner. There was a post about replacing windshields and that a certain sealer helps hold windshield further out to make up for it. I believe it was the ribbon style but could be wrong. I recomend doing a search on the forum for more info.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
When I had my windshield removed to repair the frame support, the Guy new as He was carring it that it was the original windshield. I asked him how He knew, and He said all replacements are thinner and He could tell by the thickness that it was original. So I believe that any replacement would be thinner. There was a post about replacing windshields and that a certain sealer helps hold windshield further out to make up for it. I believe it was the ribbon style but could be wrong. I recomend doing a search on the forum for more info.
I contacted GM a couple of days ago but no reply. They are pretty good when you are buying but afterward....?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 242
From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
Paul I had mine done a couple of years ago in Orleans they did a good job and the windshield is only $190.
Ron . I have a brand new one at home too if you get stuck,
Ron . I have a brand new one at home too if you get stuck,
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 38
From: Cedar,BC
Another tip for you,Paul,have a look at the new windshield BEFORE they remove your old one to make sure it is what you want.The $200ish glass many shops can get is a decent piece,but is a generic one part fits all,the dark shading at the bottom and tinting at the top can vary in style and colour and may not match your original's look.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Another tip for you,Paul,have a look at the new windshield BEFORE they remove your old one to make sure it is what you want.The $200ish glass many shops can get is a decent piece,but is a generic one part fits all,the dark shading at the bottom and tinting at the top can vary in style and colour and may not match your original's look.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
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From: Florida
Original and new windshields have the DOT info on the pass side lower corner.
It will say something like Manufacturer (LOF), shaded, laminated, softray, etc and the Dot codes.
A replacement will still have a manufacturer and a DOT code (required)
You could always get replacement without the shadowband and full tint, but it was a rare choice.
Somewhere I've got the listing of about 35 worldwide manufacturers and all the code breakdown several tiers deep. Most of them are Chinese.
And yes the lower blackout in your pic is the original color, dark grey or one of us is colorblind to green.
If having it replaced, have the guy lay it in dry first to check that the shape conforms properly.
It will say something like Manufacturer (LOF), shaded, laminated, softray, etc and the Dot codes.
A replacement will still have a manufacturer and a DOT code (required)
You could always get replacement without the shadowband and full tint, but it was a rare choice.
Somewhere I've got the listing of about 35 worldwide manufacturers and all the code breakdown several tiers deep. Most of them are Chinese.
And yes the lower blackout in your pic is the original color, dark grey or one of us is colorblind to green.
If having it replaced, have the guy lay it in dry first to check that the shape conforms properly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 242
From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
Hard to trust any of the windshield makers, I bought mine from a store in Montreal , a friend of mine needed one for his 68 and the guy in MTL said the're not making these anymore, so that's why I bought another, and now have a spare. Only to find out Standard Auto Glass in ottawa said they can get them overnight and has many as I wanted. Ron
