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As I delve deeper and deeper into the underlying condition of my '69 roadster, Ive started pulling the interior and the dash, but even with all of the screws removed from the top chrome trim, it seems to be bonded to the windshield frame/bird cage. Any advice for removing it without ruining it? I didn't use any real force as I thought Id ask the question before I brake something.
If you are talking about the chrome corners BEWARE! There are one or two small screws on the underside at the front of the windshield. You cannot remove those screws without breaking the windshield. No matter how careful you are. Ask me how I know.
Specifically both corners and the center section....at this point, the windshield is probably going to have to be sacrificed in order to hopefully preserve, and/or repair the upper part of the bird cage.
A thin 1" wide putty knife is a good tool for removing the T top center piece which runs along the top including the A pillars. Hop you have no surprises but you are wise to check it out.
R
That's everything I found when I did what you are looking to do.
the flash actually makes it look a little worse than it really is....although its definitely not good. I need to get the chrome off to make a final assessment on the top....but from what I can see, Id say the top has significant surface rust, but no rot that I can see.....its right on the edge of the POR15 and seal it up vs. having it cut out and replaced. The interesting part is that it actually gets significantly better on the way down towards the windshield and the cowl.....theres zero surface rust by the time you get down to the vin tag. That being said, the #1 body mounts look similar but not quite as corroded as the upper header, with what Id categorize as "significant surface rust". I still need to get her in the air this weekend to take a good look at the #2 and #3 body mounts. #4 is good, and the rear kick ups are spotless.
Its all a little overwhelming for a car that looks so good in every other area.....but I guess thats the classic C3 story.....heres to winter projects
But, as someone else has already said, there is that screw along the top of the windshield behind the trim to remove the corners. If you look at RVZIO's third picture, I can almost guarantee the crack is from removing said screw.
When I went to disassemble my donor body with the seller, he wanted the upper corner trim. Car had a brand new windshield just put in it with the sticker still on the glass. Was trying to get the angle onto that screw with the screwdriver and CRACK!
so correct me if Im mistaken, but you need the putty knife to get the chrome windshield trim off, and then take the last of the screws out of the corner pieces to get the corners and the header trim off?
Additionally, does anyone know if Zipp Corvette does in house repairs/restorations? I didn't realize they're so close to me, and this may be a prime candidate if the side pillars are salvageable to just replace the corners and header piece.
In my '79 the "T" piece, corners that hold the sun visors and "A" pillar trim were all adhered with a substance I can best describe as "fibered blacktop patch or roof cement". The "T" piece in particular took quite a bit of prying with a stiff putty knife.
And yes, the screws that retain the front edge of the corners are in just the wrong position. I removed my windshield (no tools!!), had it reset and put a tiny chip in the edge of the glass with the inboard passenger side screw. Within a couple weeks it cracked across the corner Moral: remove AND replace those pieces WITHOUT the windshield installed!!
If I were you and your windshield is in good condition, I'd take the car to a windshield shop and have them remove the windshield. It only takes 5 minutes and you can then just lay the windshield back on the windshield frame and secure it with masking tape to allow you to drive the car back home. Surprisingly, my local windshield shop did this for me for free. After you get the car home, you can remove the windshield and then a) remove the corner trim and b) completely and accurately assess the condition of the windshield frame. Many times rust holes are hidden under the glass/sealant. Best case is that there are no rust problems and you can have your windshield reinstalled after you clean off the old sealant and repaint your windshield frame. You already are preparing yourself for the worst case. Hopefully, it won't come to that and your windshield frame won't need to have new sections welded in.
If you don't do this, there is a very good chance that you'll break your windshield trying to get the corner trim off. Many on this forum have learned this the hard way and had to purchase a new windshield.
But, as someone else has already said, there is that screw along the top of the windshield behind the trim to remove the corners. If you look at RVZIO's third picture, I can almost guarantee the crack is from removing said screw.
When I went to disassemble my donor body with the seller, he wanted the upper corner trim. Car had a brand new windshield just put in it with the sticker still on the glass. Was trying to get the angle onto that screw with the screwdriver and CRACK!
Yup Ibanez540r that's what happened to me trying to take the corners off. You hit the nail on the head.
ZIO
Nice car so I am sure it will be worth the trouble to take it apart and do the job right. I did get the enter section off my 78 but one little screw on the corner an crack. If the windshield is good, do as said above and have a shop take it out, do your repairs and then put the windshiled back in. And that will open up another can of worms for you with spacers, butyl and other good things.
Just in case you may have thought my car started out as a dumper.
You just really don't know what lurks underneath everything.
R
Well you get the idea.
I feel your pain....Ive read most of your thread.....so far, it looks like the top of my bird cage is the worst of it, but Im hoping to confirm this weekend....we'll see.....significant damage down low is what Im hoping to avoid as I refuse to attempt to cover it up and pass the mess along, but I also don't have the time/money/space to start a frame off which would result in a SUBSTANTIAL loss on the car.......
I feel your pain....Ive read most of your thread.....so far, it looks like the top of my bird cage is the worst of it, but Im hoping to confirm this weekend....we'll see.....significant damage down low is what Im hoping to avoid as I refuse to attempt to cover it up and pass the mess along, but I also don't have the time/money/space to start a frame off which would result in a SUBSTANTIAL loss on the car.......
Nice that you would like to check it out and not pass it on . Hopefully it will all work out for you. I don't wish what I had on anyone.
Good Luck
R
hopefully Ill have pics of everything this weekend and can start a build/preservation thread as opposed to a "For sale, your gain, my loss" thread....we'll see
Beauty as it turns out, is only skin deep Anyway, I really love this car, so hopefully it remains in the salvageable range as opposed to the restorable range
Beauty as it turns out, is only skin deep Anyway, I really love this car, so hopefully it remains in the salvageable range as opposed to the restorable range
Well your right on the beauty part, it sure looks like a nice ride. There's only so much we can look at and check. At that point we have to make some assumptions. I don't know if anyone would allow you to take trim off etc. Hopefully for you it will work out but the windshield frame looks suspect.
ZIO
And they said it couldn't be done!!!....all the trim off, windshield still in one piece! On the down side, theres definitely going to need to be some cutting done. I talked with Zipp Corvette today and they said that its manageable, and their body shop is very experienced in this repair. As you can see in the pics, the sides are actually in decent shape, its the corners and the header that will need to be cut out and replaced. Heres hoping for minimal carnage down low
Chrome windshield trim removal?
Moral: remove AND replace those pieces WITHOUT the windshield installed!!
Anyway, I really love this car, so hopefully it remains in the salvageable range as opposed to the restorable range 
