windshield gt I experiences?

So you know, I read all of the posts, But I just do not have any info to help you out as I am new to Bradley's .
But, If you order the glass from a glass shop, pay them to install it, and it breaks during install, it is on them. If you break it during install, you get to buy another.

I have installed mine 3 times. I broke the original at one of the corners at a 45 deg angle about 7" in trying to force it. I suspect that the roof is warped.

I bought a new one and installed it carefully. It did not fit really well but it stayed, unfortunately, it leaked like a sieve (I used to dreive my Brad like a real car rain or shine). Later, I removed and re-installed it with no better results. Finally, I cut off the outer "lip" that holds the windshield in place and used black silicone to "glue" it into place. This resulted in a water tight and relatively flush seal but was a bit messy and did not look as neat as I had hoped when conceiving the plan.

Many glass shops will not work on kitcars and that limits our options.

My Bradley had the glass installed when I got it, but it kept coming back out at the bottom. Began to establish the habbit of pushing it back in whenever I got out of the car - until one time I pushed too hard and put a large crack in it. I decided the opening was just too big for the glass/gasket, so I extended the bottom lip about 3/8" (fiberglass). Then using the broken window as a templete, filed/gound/sanded the lip all the way around so the overlap under the window was consistent. Then took it to the local Glass Doctor window shop and had them install a new windshield. They could not find an equivalent gasket, so used the old one with black silicone. Haven't had a problem since ('cept I'm still chasing down a minor leak on the pasenger side).

Yes, that is the correct winshield for the GT1. Make sure you get the one for the coupe, the convertible one doesn't work well. Originially, they used a gaskit, but some have had success setting the window in a bed of silicon.

If you do not already have Jeff Troy's CD, you should get it. Among the many helpful things on it s a cross-section of the windshied gaskit.

Hi, Guys,

My original 1976 install was with the pseudo-Corvette moldings provided by Bradley. When the change to the gasket came along in '77, I bought one from Bradley and made the change. You couldn't get the upper corners to make the tight bend without making a small "V" cut on the inside corners of the gasket, but it was a much cleaner look than the not-quite-real-chrome Corvette-style frames.

Another problem was finally realizing that there was a slight difference between the coupe and convertible glass, and that made a big difference in the way the upper corners fit the frame. The convert glass was almost 3/4" off the seat in the corners. The coupe was only off by 1/4-inch or so.

There's no good news for you about the gasket. I was told that the original gasket, simply called a "universal gasket" at the time, was borrowed from some kind of farming equipment (a tractor with a windshield?). Whatever or wherever, it is no longer available in the same size used by Bradley. In 2000, I found one that was slightly larger, but had to open the windshield frame by 5/8" to make it work. I cut the bottom of the frame in the center and extended it by 5/8" with heavy fiberglass glass cloth and epoxy resin - and lots of sanding.

My fit was good, but roughly a year after the install, the lower edge of the windshield gasket started popping out of the frame. I may have been too detail-oriented and removed too much excess material when trimming the fiberglass lip that traps the gasket. I plan to do a better fit in the next teardown, but that won't happen until I finish my Fiberfab '52 MG TD. Right now, the GT is too much fun to drive to pull apart for a minor issue.

As to the problem under discussion, one of the real issues with the windshield fit comes not from the windshield but the fiberglass frame.

Glass never really sets. It will continue to sag over time and the windshield frame will follow suit. Further, many of these cars have been sitting outside for decades, often as hulks with no windshields installed. When this happens, the Bradley's fiberglass windshield frame can alter its shape dramatically.

One of the fixes I have used with my own car (at least four windshield replacements over 34 years), is to place the windshield into position, then use lengths of 2-by-4s or broomsticks wedged between the floor and the T-top to get the center or corners of the windshield frame to seat the glass correctly. Once the frame is propped to fit, remove the glass but keep the props in position and leave the car in the sun for about a week. That should give the top a decent set, then you can add the gasket and do the install. If possible, don't remove the props until the glass is in.

It's a hit-or-miss method with each car, but you might give it a try.

Warmest...

Thanks for the post Jeff, your experience always provides a glimmer of hope .

As far as sitting for fourty years as a hulk, you hit the nail on the head. Was assembled in the sixties and they bought in 71 and left to sit in this guys junk yard until i bought it in feb.

yeah no doubt. I got my windshield in, see my post. Also, guess you can slowly reshape it in the sun with some reverse pressure, jeff troy, guru and bradley sage, mentioned using a broom handle jammed under. after reading about fiber glassing might almost be an idea to let it sit in the sun with bottom pressure from a board for a week , then fiberglass over it to strengthen it up. bet you could get creative and almost fiber glass in a few ridges on the inner side to further support it? just a half brained idea idea seeing as i have noi fiber experience haha

71 wont fit a gt one need a 63-67 window IE the stingray c2 vette, not the later mako shark c3 vette style