In want of a windshield

[doug schmidt]

Missing windshield assembly for a fiberfab chevette based mg td. Looks like mg magic is also out until they find a maker. If anyone knows of a source or a soul parting out a project it would be most appreciated.

[edward ericson]

This isn’t right and it’s not cheap but the shape is right. I bet it could be made to work.

The other sure-fire way to make the car mega-cool is to forgo the windshield and top altogether and buy a pair of Brooklands Aeroscreens (or just one). Goggles are not optional with those.

[dggrant]

Just had a new one made. Having tried all the usual suspects like safelite and glass providers I ended up going to a classic car shop here in Pittsburgh who had “their glass guy” make a new one based on my old split one. It didn’t seem to be a big deal.
Bill (crash55)was nice enough to do a template of his Fiberfab windshield as it is still off the car but it turned out to be a bit taller than mine.

[edward ericson]

Dan, Doug needs not only the glass, but the frame too.

But right: if there’s a hotrod shop in the vicinity I bet you can get someone interested.

[doug schmidt]

Thanks Dan, but he’s right, I need the frame most importantly. The idea of a rod shop to custom make sounds possible. I will get the dimensions and e-mail that custom shop and see if it is a possible fit. I guess MG Magic is looking for a maker like that when they decide to restock. I’ll keep bugging them. By the way, they were asking alot for their windshield before they sold out.

[Anonymous]

Doug: you might try a boat shop for the windshield a lot of parts for our cars come from them. Also a commercial hardware store may have the metel to make the frame.Local hardware store here has catalog they look at for odd items , they will order odd items and will be in store in a day or two.

[doug schmidt]

Thanks George, a boat shop I would have never thought of . All I need now is a template or drawing . Maybe I can bribe MG Magic to supply their spec’s with a purchase of something else.If anyone could post a few pictures of their windshield since I don’t quite know what they look like it would help in making one up that looks nice. Many thanks!

[billnparts]

When I built my car the windshield came packaged in a box from a marine supplier.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[Royal]

Doug, you’ll need to get advice from Ed or some other guru as to whether this would fit, but this guy says that he is “parting out the whole car”:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360791821855&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

[doug schmidt]

Thanks Roy, I sent a note and will wait and see. There is a company that manufactures classic car windshield frames in Pa. but they have not responded to my request as of yet. I still am looking for a couple pictures to use as a guide since I don’t quite know the dimensions of the frame or what it is suposed to look like.

[edward ericson]

In general, Doug:

Make it a foot high.

Make it slightly trapezoidal–that is, the angle of the top bar to the side bars should be a little (not a lot) more than 90 degrees.

Make the bottom bar curve the same as the top of the scuttle.

On your car, I believe, the scuttle has a molded flat spot on either side to receive the windshield frame. If this is so, measuring for the frame is a cinch:

1. get two straight, flat things that are 18 inches long. Bits of angle aluminum are probably ideal, but you could use 1×1 wood. Just make it straight.

2. Hold these flat things up against those flat spots on your car, such that the bottom end of the flat things are even with the bottom of the flat spots. Follw the angle of your flat spots so that the flat things are “raked” slightly–leaning toward the back of the car. Try to make the “rake” the same on both sides.

3. Mark the flat things near the upper and lower edge of your flat spots. Drill small holes in them on those marks.

4. Drill smaller holes through the flat spots in the exact same place your holes on your flat things are.  Drive sheetrock screws through those new holes, such that your flat things are now attached to your car. This is a temporary thing, so don’t worry too much about it.

5. Look at what you have. All of the dimensions of your windshield are now measurable using those flat things and a tape measure.

My windshield’s dimensions are included below for illustration purposes. All measurements taken from the outside edges of the frame in inches. Yours will almost certainly be different.

–One more thing: remember that these windshields do not fit perfectly on the scuttle. There is a gap between the bottom of the windshield frame and the top of the scuttle, which is filled by a 2-inch rubber flap.

edsnova2013-11-17 09:01:11

[Royal]

Doug, 

Ed is, of course, right that our cars are not all the same.  My measurement across the top is 40-1/2″ and 42″ across the bottom – more “square” than Ed’s.  My screen is 11″ tall in the center and 12-1/2 on the sides and is shorter than most.  

Regarding Ed’s 39″ measurement, if you have a top, you may want to pay attention to the top in designing your windscreen top measurement.  

The rubber “flap” along the bottom was (on the original T types) to allow the windscreen to fold flat yet seal (kind of seal) when up.  

Royal2013-11-17 09:29:22

[doug schmidt]

Gosh , thanks for all the advice and diagrams. That gives me an idea of what it is suposed to look like. I was concerned about the final fit in relation to the soft top. I guess the’rake’ or aft tilt of the frame must be set when the top is being assembled. The vertical height of the frame is important to me so as not to put the frame too far out of spec’s in relation to the rake.

[newkitman]

Doug. For a look at what the td frame looks like you can check my fotki photo album. http://www.fotki.com/Allen1209

Click on MGTD build

Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shack

[doug schmidt]

Ed, Thanks for the layout . It looks like yours will fit my shell . I have sent out requests to several suppliers and have actual dimensions to refer to. Many thanks.

[doug schmidt]

The windshield maker in Pa. called NCIndustries “windshieldframes.com” was nice rnough to send a sheet of cross-sectional frame pictures and some samples of material. Bob Petruschak is the contact and very helpful. The diamensions you supplied will help. After i review the samples we’ll see if we can reconstruct a new windshield. Found a pair of original supports for the corners from “Abingdon Spares” in New Hampshire. Pricey place but interesting. Check them out if you haven’t yet. Will post progress and pictures as it develops.Have not found any of the side rails with the adjustable studs anywhere as #2 picture.

[Steve Struchen]

The use of the original supports for the corners will require tub modification to get them to fit. The TD Replicas have those flat areas molded into the tub so you can attach the extended sides of the windshield frame. You would have to grind them off and then reinforce that area to be able to mount them.

The pieces you have shown would make the windshield foldable like the vintage TDs are.

[doug schmidt]

I kind of thought some body mods would be required. But I really thought the effect was worth the effort. I order to fold the windshld down the side rail brackets with the studs and hardware must be fit to the frame also. Still looking for those puppies.

[edward ericson]

The side rails screw or bolt to the windshield frame. Then it’s just wing nuts and acorn nuts. Good luck!

[Author]

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