windsheild replacement cost?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
windsheild replacement cost?
What is a reasonable price to expect for a windsheild replacement?
How about if the old glass was already taken out and frame refinished?
I want to know what to expect.
Thanks
Mike
How about if the old glass was already taken out and frame refinished?
I want to know what to expect.
Thanks
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
You may be challenged to find one of the local glass replacement chains to stock C3 auto glass for replacement.
I just checked Glass Doctors and they only go back to early 90's.
They replaced mine in my driveway but that was 17 years ago (1997).
Safelite Auto Glass stocks my '80 windshield. I ran the quote and it is $250 installed + applicable taxes and disposal fees.
I just checked Glass Doctors and they only go back to early 90's.
They replaced mine in my driveway but that was 17 years ago (1997).
Safelite Auto Glass stocks my '80 windshield. I ran the quote and it is $250 installed + applicable taxes and disposal fees.
Last edited by TedH; Mar 4, 2014 at 10:53 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 550
From: Seattle Washington
I kinda think Your starting to bark up the wrong tree. So You all ready have the windshield out and have prepped the Frame... This sounds like Your doing some sort of restoration so You need to find a shop that does glass work on classic cars. None of the Glass available today is anywhere near as good as the OEM glass. Its a matter of picking the least worse of the bunch. I'd find the best shop in your area, and go with what ever brand of glass they recommend. My local Autolite gave me a good price and then when they found out it wasn't a new car they wanted me to take it to one of there shops in another city. Had a local shop glue in a Pilkerton in my Shop and it delaminated in 3 weeks having never moved the car. Found a Shop not to far away who specialized in Muscle cars and he installed a China windshield saying the Autolite made in the USA that I had on hand was the worst of the bunch. Windshield shops are like Alignment Shops, you need to find the right one, not the one with the best price.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,922
Likes: 839
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i have heard horror stories about glass shops and old cars like if the even see surface rust they either won't touch it or won't guarantee it. the guy that did mine said mine was the best c3 he had seen in years. zero rust. i think its worth pulling it yourself and making sure you have everything in order .
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,789
Likes: 7
And you also need to make sure the installer sets the windshield at the correct distance from the frame or you'll have a huge gap between the glass and upper trim. Happened to us on a previous 73 restoration using Safelite. They ended up giving us a refund when the new w/s cracked while being removed. We then just did the job ourselves....fit perfectly.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Talk to a local body shop that does older or classic cars and get the name of their glass guy. They will have one.
Price should be around 200 bucks if you already have it out and the frame is ready for install.
Price should be around 200 bucks if you already have it out and the frame is ready for install.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
i have heard horror stories about glass shops and old cars like if the even see surface rust they either won't touch it or won't guarantee it. the guy that did mine said mine was the best c3 he had seen in years. zero rust. i think its worth pulling it yourself and making sure you have everything in order .
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
make sure you look through the glass carefully....it took three windshields on my C3
1. the glass just started to fleck off the inside, apparently a common defect
2. the glass had wavy lines in it and it distorted the view
#3 was the magic ticket
1. the glass just started to fleck off the inside, apparently a common defect
2. the glass had wavy lines in it and it distorted the view
#3 was the magic ticket
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,173
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mike,
The only sure way to know that the gaps on the trim will work out is to install the glass on spacers and 'dry'.
Then install the a-pillar trim, and the long thin piece of trim at the windshield header.
The bead on the edge of the trim should be just snug enough against the glass that you can only slide a piece of paper in the gap.
Then the trim needs to be removed and the windshield set at that height.
If the glass is set too close to the windshield frame there's really no satisfactory way to get the trim gap right.
It's straight forward but takes that extra step to be sure.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
The only sure way to know that the gaps on the trim will work out is to install the glass on spacers and 'dry'.
Then install the a-pillar trim, and the long thin piece of trim at the windshield header.
The bead on the edge of the trim should be just snug enough against the glass that you can only slide a piece of paper in the gap.
Then the trim needs to be removed and the windshield set at that height.
If the glass is set too close to the windshield frame there's really no satisfactory way to get the trim gap right.
It's straight forward but takes that extra step to be sure.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan