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Post by Wyn on Mar 10, 2011 15:28:38 GMT -5
Since I have not seen anyone making comment on getting a replacement for the Bradley GT 2 windshield. So I decided to do a little more research on the windshield.
Looking at Guardian Industries web site, it said give them a call and they would give a quote for a replacement windshield so I gave them a call (1-866-999-5011 near Columbus, Ohio). Told them I was looking for a windshield for the Bradley GT 2. The person had no idea what a Bradley GT 2 was. After talking to her for awhile she gave me a number to their office in Finley, Ohio (1-800-331-8403) and talk to Josh. He ask me for the Viracon part number. I told him I would need to go down stairs to get it and would call him back. I look all over the windshield and found what I thought the number was. On the windshield ( Viracon -- Safety coated – ASI M50 DOT129). He said the number was not listed. Since I was just one individual and the most maybe one sale he did not want give me any prices. I told him I knew they had the tooling and it would cost $4000 to program the robots what would it cost to make a run for the windshield. He said it would be in the thousands maybe $50,000. He said they really did not want to work with Kitcars. I ask if he knew of any ware else that could help for the windshield. He gave me another number (1-973-450-4933) and ask for a Lee. The only thing they would tell me was to go to Ebay.
So there is no help on a replacement windshield for the GT2. The only thing to do is make the windshield out of Plexiglas, and Don’t tell the police.
If someone wants to try a $50,000 purchase or more, Go ahead and give it a try. I want one spare as long as the price does not go over $500 ea.
Wyn
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Post by kitcarguy on Mar 10, 2011 15:34:08 GMT -5
Dumb question. What makes this windshield so difficult for a autoglass place to make? I had a windshield for a 55 buick special cut in Florida for $500 . Now mind you that was 15 years ago,
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Post by mrbigh on Mar 10, 2011 15:49:06 GMT -5
Since I have not seen anyone making comment on getting a replacement for the Bradley GT 2 windshield. So I decided to do a little more research on the windshield. Looking at Guardian Industries web site, it said give them a call and they would give a quote for a replacement windshield so I gave them a call (1-866-999-5011 near Columbus, Ohio). Told them I was looking for a windshield for the Bradley GT 2. The person had no idea what a Bradley GT 2 was. After talking to her for awhile she gave me a number to their office in Finley, Ohio (1-800-331-8403) and talk to Josh. He ask me for the Viracon part number. I told him I would need to go down stairs to get it and would call him back. I look all over the windshield and found what I thought the number was. On the windshield ( Viracon -- Safety coated – ASI M50 DOT129). He said the number was not listed. Since I was just one individual and the most maybe one sale he did not want give me any prices. I told him I knew they had the tooling and it would cost $4000 to program the robots what would it cost to make a run for the windshield. He said it would be in the thousands maybe $50,000. He said they really did not want to work with Kitcars. I ask if he knew of any ware else that could help for the windshield. He gave me another number (1-973-450-4933) and ask for a Lee. The only thing they would tell me was to go to Ebay. So there is no help on a replacement windshield for the GT2. The only thing to do is make the windshield out of Plexiglas, and Don’t tell the police. If someone wants to try a $50,000 purchase or more, Go ahead and give it a try. I want one spare as long as the price does not go over $500 ea. Wyn This news really sucks...........
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bruce
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by bruce on Mar 10, 2011 18:15:43 GMT -5
How much larger is the 280ZX windshield and does the curvature of it mach, so if it was cut down (cornors rounded off and shaved here and there). Here is some one that shows how to cut it down using a sand blaster and the way it should be done ( and some one that does it with a water jet cutting) other ways and other things you should not use. Along with other sources for cut windshields. www.cadvision.com/blanchas/54pontiac/windshield.html
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Post by dawgdk on Mar 11, 2011 10:39:03 GMT -5
Wyn, What about them selling the tooling they have? Would they be interested in that? Maybe somebody that has been in the glass business would be willing to make them other than them!! I am pretty sure that bradley auto paid 50,000 to have windshields made!!!
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Post by smyrnaguy on Mar 11, 2011 11:39:38 GMT -5
There are probably at least 10 times more 55 Buicks than GTIIs on the road now. You can still get a new windshield for one. As far as a plexiglass or poly windshield goes, you won't have to tell the police. After the first 30 miles or so in dry weather it will be obvious from the sand pitting that something isn't right. A drive from Pecos to Ft Stockton in June might result in a windshield that looks more like a frosted shower door. Aircraft can get away with poly because not much sand blows around above 20ft.
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Post by rebel67 on Mar 11, 2011 17:15:32 GMT -5
Not to sound simplistic, but havent you guys ever played with that adhisive-backed coating that dirt bike guys use on the face shields of their helmets? Im sure for less than a new windshield that company would supply sheets of it to trim yourselves, then put OVER the plexi-replacement. Just a thought....
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Post by mj on Mar 11, 2011 20:15:41 GMT -5
There are probably at least 10 times more 55 Buicks than GTIIs on the road now. Of course, because they re-used that windshield for years in other models. The GTII is a one-shot deal. And further, unlike major Detroit makings, and being a limited edition Kit-Car, Bradley was not required to offer replacements for any amount of time. .
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Post by Wyn on Mar 11, 2011 21:42:12 GMT -5
The GTII is a one-shot deal. And further, unlike major Detroit makings, and being a limited edition Kit-Car, Bradley was not required to offer replacements for any amount of time. With Guardian wanting a minimum production of 200 items and I think that is where the $50,000 starts it. And that does not include the cost of storage of the windshield until they are all sold. What we need is to find a Millionaire who is willing to loan us $50,000 to buy 200 windshields and knowing he will never make his money back. Not a good deal so forth. Can we find 5 members to throw in $10,000 of the $50,000 to buy 40 wsd each, out of the 200 wsd. Each member will try to sell his 40 wsd. Still not that great of a deal. I might be wrong but I don’t think we could sell more than 50 or 60 of the 200 wsd. So it is a really a bad deal. Anyone with any better ideals? Wyn
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Post by flekst on Mar 12, 2011 13:00:47 GMT -5
This is so frustrating...in this age of technology and one-off prototyping, it's tough to believe that there are no other options. Do windshields work like eyeglasses where there is a standard way to measure what is needed? I would really like to compare these dimensions to the millions of other windshields out there - something has to be close enough to use.
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Post by kitcarguy on Mar 12, 2011 17:46:05 GMT -5
This is so frustrating...in this age of technology and one-off prototyping, it's tough to believe that there are no other options. Do windshields work like eyeglasses where there is a standard way to measure what is needed? I would really like to compare these dimensions to the millions of other windshields out there - something has to be close enough to use. This is exactly why I asked what makes it so difficult. I cant imagine that someone cant clone that windshield for a decent price
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Post by Wyn on Mar 13, 2011 22:26:13 GMT -5
Everyone who is in need of a GT2 windshield, You need to do a Google search for “ automotive windshield manufacturers “ Go to the third listing and click on the name- "Glass Manufacturers". Don’t click on the link -www.thomasnet.com- as it will take you some ware else. Glass Manufacturers Over 1,600 Glass Companies Search Locally by State or Zip Code www.thomasnet.comGo through and find all the companies in your state check them out and call them and see what they can do for us. I still think Guardian is the answer but I don’t have $50,000. Wyn
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alex
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by alex on Mar 15, 2011 14:38:10 GMT -5
I too am imagining that something somewhere has to be close. Our esteemed colleague Skip20 compared a stock windshield with what he had access to, not every kind ever made. For the moment I got around the problem by starting over with a complete GT2, now the car that needs a windshield is a spare. Geez, I never thought I'd own TWO of em.
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Post by bobevans on Mar 15, 2011 17:10:24 GMT -5
Alex...Try owning 13 of them...Still have one, but am parting it out...Getting too old to mess with them.. bobevans
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alex
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by alex on Mar 15, 2011 19:43:50 GMT -5
Thirteen....daaaang...8<)
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stevevw
Full Member
Part VW part Porsche , all Bradley
Posts: 117
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Post by stevevw on Mar 16, 2011 15:32:26 GMT -5
Hope I dont ever get too old for a Bradley . Actually gettin in an out of it has become more and more of a challenge ......Fortunately I got a NOS windshield from Bob years ago and it is safely squirreled away .
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Post by don29163 on Mar 16, 2011 19:25:51 GMT -5
I have a complete set of never installed glass $2500.00 The new kit and a completely rebuilt running chasis comes with it ! Someone finish this poor car, I have lost interest in it. Clear title too
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Post by mj on Mar 17, 2011 20:08:30 GMT -5
Hope I dont ever get too old for a Bradley . Actually gettin in an out of it has become more and more of a challenge. We could trade notes on collapsible walkers that would fit in the back. ;D
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Post by Wyn on Mar 17, 2011 20:56:32 GMT -5
MJ My foldable walker does not have wheels. It is a pick up and klink down. I have a power scooter I need a trailer made so I can transport it eazier, instead taking it apart to get it in and out of the trunk. Wyn
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JohnDriver
Junior Member
life is what happens while you make other plans
Posts: 63
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Post by JohnDriver on Mar 22, 2011 23:29:01 GMT -5
talked to my buddy the glassman,(again) he suggested taking an old windshield to a couple glass places,trying to match the contours in a larger common "stock"type windshield.they can cut it down to fit. sounds crazy. but he said they use a big tile wet saw(with a smooth diamond blade. cuts laminated glass like butter. now instead of matching the stock hole we can try to match the stock glass(very Tzun-tzu)dont rember the spellin'lol plan B= go to the patent office(prob.expired.) for around$5000.00 we could re patent the glass,then being patent holders they would use the old dies to make new glass..... (and I dont even own a twoie) does two gt1s count as a two in spirit?
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Post by mwilson on Apr 23, 2011 12:11:50 GMT -5
I found a guy in Yakima, WA close to where I live who has cut windshields before. The question he has is how much needs to get cut and where? Assuming that the 280ZX windshield is the only choice.
Perhaps someone can provide some answers?
Thanks,
Matt
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Eric A
Full Member
It's an obsession not an investment!
Posts: 223
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Post by Eric A on Apr 23, 2011 12:30:43 GMT -5
As I recall, because I was working on it for my gtII also, the glass is not to big it just has a tighter curve in the top corners. If you cut it it will not fit in the hole. You have to use the glass as a form and build a windshield frame that fits the glass and then cut the stock frame out of the car and glass the new frame in. Remember to set the new glass in the frame before classing it in to make sure you do not have sag in the frame. Eric A.
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Eric A
Full Member
It's an obsession not an investment!
Posts: 223
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Post by Eric A on Apr 23, 2011 12:32:14 GMT -5
Classing = glassing d**n autocorrect :-)
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Post by mrbigh on Apr 23, 2011 13:17:43 GMT -5
I think that Skip20 mentioned that the curvature of the replacement glass is very approximate to the original windshield, hence his labor on making a " fiberglass frame" to be mate with the GT II body.
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Post by mwilson on Apr 26, 2011 22:48:13 GMT -5
OK, from what I was reading, in previous posts, it appeared the 280ZX glass needed to be "cut." So maybe I need to find an expert fiberglass guy that can frame the 280ZX windshield in. Alright, I think I'm on the right track now.
Thanks for the clarification.
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Post by leonardabell on Apr 27, 2011 16:20:15 GMT -5
"the glass is not too big it just has a tighter curve in the top corners. If you cut it it will not fit in the hole."
this might give reason to read it again. Just saying.
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