Windshield Advice Needed

My '72 Country Squire has a fairly small crack in the lower left area of the windshield near the cowl. I was well aware of this when I bought the car a few months ago. My plan would be to store the windshield for some time as a backup. I'm just afraid that I won't ever find a nice windshield if I don't do it now, as I'm not aware of any reproductions that are being made.

I have found a source who has a NOS windshield available for $500 plus freight (Gulp!....). Before I commit, does anyone have any advice concerning where I could get one of these windshields? I have tried a couple of wrecking yards and they have found windshields from LTDs, but they have never called me back. My other concern is finding a windshield shop that I would trust to put the thing in without bunging something up. Thoughts on that would also be appreciated.

 

The shop that you choose may be able to source the windshield.

 

This company made my original. Probably yours too:

http://www.carlite.com/index.html

If it warm enough, you and a buddy can do it in about an hour, from removal, cleaning and trim removal to installation. Most shops don't like doing used glass. Sika's New Performance line is outstanding.

 

If it's a small crack, tig, have it repaired while you search for another. Often, these repairs are nearly invisible and, more importantly, will prevent the crack from traveling. It WILL eventually travel across the glass.

 

I've seen DIY kits to fix those too and they work pretty good. Like $10 or so.

 

Stored windshields have an indefinite life, as long as they are stored in a dry place. I have some windshields that were manufactured by LOF stored in my dry basement that are over 45 years old, and they look as good today as the day that they were made.
If you just want a replacement glass and don't care about the logo or date codes, then try www.pilkingtonclassics.com ....Actually, they can put the LOF, Carlite, and FOMOCO logos for an upcharge... Junk...

 

Thanks everyone for the helpful info. I think I made the crack sound like it hadn't spread in the window in my original post. The crack had spread before I bought the car, so it looks like replacement is the only option. I have a couple of other leads that I want to work through before I commit to paying a buttload of money for a NOS windshield.

 

calling the 800 number to get a price is free, and you might be pleasantly surprised as to how inexpensive some glass is. In fact, you might even find that a local glass company might even be able to locate a glass in a local warehouse. Very rarely do shops toss glass that is obsolete, since they know that there are a lot of those cars out there today.

 

It can be helpful at time to find out what else used that same windshield/part.

Allot of times you can find the same item, listed for another car/truck cheaper.

I needed a gas tank for my Buick wagon for a while, ended up saving over $100 getting one for a bel-air, as the listing for anything Buick just cost more by default. Yet both cars used the same part number gas tank.

Have done the same things with my 3rd gen Firebird, asking for s10, s15, jimmy parts are cheaper, even though its the same part. Saved $50 on fancy rotors that way. Same deal, anything Firebird in the title cost more by default.

helps to know the original part number for that search.

Always make sure the part numbers match when you order parts from a different car/truck if you don't know for sure.

 

350 has a good point. Colony Park, Parklanes, any of the big Mercuries. Also what years. Ford is good about reusing glass over several years.

 

Thanks for the lead, Junk. I am checking with a local shop that I trust. I will also give Pilkington a call to see what they can do.

 

Great suggestion, 350x. My understanding is that the same windshield was used in the 1971-1972 Custom, Custom 500, Galaxie, LTD, and full-size Mercuries. I really hate to pay $500 for a windshield, so I've been checking with a lot of places. I also don't really care if it has the Carlite logo on it, but I just want to make sure the replacement windshield is as close to mint as possible.

 

ask the local shop if they deal with Pilkington, and if they do, then the can get you the correct date code glass. Pilkington is one of, if not the largest glass distributor in the US..

 

Should be no problem finding a used one then at probably any junkyard within a 100 miles, just have it polished if you don't like its condition, its just glass, it will buff out, and also make sure and ask for a shield from which ever of those cars was the most common and cheapest new.

 

I gave Pilkington a call this morning. They didn't have a windshield, but they recommended a place called Glass Seekers. I put a call into them this morning to see what they might be able to do.