1958 Ford Superior Shorty Windshield

[preachur]

I am having a horrible time finding a windshield and other glass for my bus. Anyone have any sources? Thanks in advance.

[madpsalmer]

That is a thing of beauty my friend I am unsure about the window but Lexan maybe? I know they use it in race vehicles it might be up to standard for safety and it can be cut... not sure about the curve though maybe it could be heated and bent?

[preachur]

I was hoping to find a hotrod glass place that would cut and bend glass I guess, but all the places I have tried so far haven't responded to my quote requests. I have had a 69 shorty, a 56 shorty, a 92 GMC full-size and a International..... but never had to deal with broken glass before on one. Well, side windows... but I just skinned over the broken ones.This '58 is everything I was looking for in all the others. I drove it over Monarch Pass last week, averaged 12 MPG and never had to down-shift going up. I LOVE this little bus and plan on fixing her up to last forever. I am a MMJ caregiver so I have nothing but time and cash. This is my fifth bus, and under the 2 coats of bad paint I see it was bus #5 when it was in service... 5 has always been a lucky number for me.

[Stuff]

pictures man! pictures!!

[preachur]

[preachur]

Please note: I got this bus a week ago, and it is already in better shape since I drove it home.

[preachur]

The most beautiful thing.

[preachur]

Part of the windshield is already plexi-glass on the driver-side curve and it is siliconed in one corner on the plexi. Lexan is polycarbonate and it can be bent with a blow drier. I might have to do that temporarily, but am afraid the defrosters and sun might warp it in the long run. I can use the one side as a pattern and to get the right bend.... same for the back windows. Then I can send the old glass in when I find a place to make me real glass. GREAT SUGGESTION THANK YOU!

[madpsalmer]

You totally scored on the bus man! I am jealous...

[preachur]

I took measurements and I can chop and bend 2 windshields from Percy's Speed Glass (Scratch resistant Lexar) for under $200. They sell the ones with slight flaws for 80% off. If I figure out the bend radius I might just have to cut pre-bent lexar. Good deal there. Wouldn't even have to bend it.

[Ob1]

Is Lexan legal for windshields? Not here in SC. Frankly, I wouldnt trust them for impact resistance either. Really. If you do go with Lexan, give it a push after you install it, say about 15 - 20 lbs. Moderate compared to wind pressure at 55mph, nothing at all compared to wind pressure 55ph with gust/head winds, or 55mph and impact with *** knows what.

Dont know how they would go about bending flat laminated glass, since it is a sandwich of a clear plastic between two sheets of glass; the plastic would burn at the heat needed to bend the glass. So you are stuck having a custom glass made, or finding a replacement.

I installed windshields for 15 years...

[preachur]

I am going to try it at least.... I read a race car driver's post. He said the Lexan speed glass wobbled in the middle a little at speeds over 145 MPH until he installed a center brace... but other than that it was better than glass. There is no law against it here. I doubt if I will drive over 145... I would LOVE to find custom glass but no-one seems interested in trying to do it.

Right now I am dealing with the same problem I had with my '56. Suicide rims. Looking at ordering some new 19.5's from from American Wheel that are supposed to fit but look a little different. On the '56 I got rims off an old dodge but can't seem to find that type anymore.