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Windshield and Wheeler Dealers

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JPSmit

JPSmit

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Sitting just now and watching Wheeler Dealers. They are doing a 1973 Saab 9-6. The windshield was cracked so they went to a guy - (This in California BTW) - with a massive auto glass warehouse. They literally walked around with the glass until they found a windshield with the same profile (Impala) and then, in the shop cut it down to fit with a glass cutter, a propane torch and some flammable liquid. It was absolutely amazing.
 
I saw that one too. Didn't know you could do that!
 
I was wondering how they knew that the compound curvature was a good match to what the SAAB needed. I'd like to think the guy has a database that helps with such things... but maybe it's all in his memory.
 
65_BRG_Sprite said:
If it is in his head I hope someone coddleshim for the rest of his hopefully long life!
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what I was thinking too!

I have seen/ read stories of people chopping their hot rods - and hence their windshields. Much to do with string and fire and buying extra windshields - this seemed quite easy (assuming of course you knew what you were doing and what fit.

In terms of the knowledge, I can't imagine it would be terribly difficult to create such a data base - I suspect manufacturers already have it - though not necessarily in usable form.
 
Why are those shops always in California or England? I don't know if CT even has any machine shops left that could work on an engine. There seem to be a few fancy high-priced places catering to the 1% and that's about it. Are there shops in your area that could do line boring, head shaving and all the other engine work that you see on TV?
 
pdplot said:
Why are those shops always in California or England? I don't know if CT even has any machine shops left that could work on an engine. There seem to be a few fancy high-priced places catering to the 1% and that's about it. Are there shops in your area that could do line boring, head shaving and all the other engine work that you see on TV?
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I think so, There are a couple of engine shops (I have used 3, 2 locally - mind you Toronto is a big place) I have not had them do anything but boil the block and measure since I like to rebuild myself. I will say there is a local carb shop - I haven't used them but I think it is carlos and Carlos - both getting long in the tooth with no one to take over, and, I know of one machine shop that just closed - the owner was both tired of the hassles and of being stiffed.
 
pdplot said:
Why are those shops always in California or England? I don't know if CT even has any machine shops left that could work on an engine. There seem to be a few fancy high-priced places catering to the 1% and that's about it. Are there shops in your area that could do line boring, head shaving and all the other engine work that you see on TV?
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I can think of two that can. We have a fairly robust Sprint car culture around here and the local shops will cater to their needs.
 
There used to be probably a dozen or more machine shops around here. Now there are two that I know of. The last two I worked with are both gone, and too bad, nice guys to work with and reasonable. I don't think newer stuff is rebuilt much anymore, it is more often a sensor or electrical issue. The last guy I used said he mostly re-did warped aluminum heads and not too much else on modern stuff.

I saw that Wheeler Dealer's too, the windshield guy just seemed to have an eye for the curve. Pretty amazing, both the picking out and the carving it to shape.
 
We have a really good machine shop not too far away. About 20 years ago, I had him do my Austin 3000 engine. When he was done, he said he would never do another one. A couple of years ago, one of our club members went to him to ask if he would do his Austin 3000 engine and he said "No."
 
Not windshields but, British Car TV (which is Mostly Waaaay better than North American Car TV) - one show I kind of like is the Motorcycle Show, while on holiday, they were restoring (I think) a Triumph something or another.

More to the point they sent the speedometer away to be rebuilt and the rebuilder used a strap wrench to remove the bezel holding the glass in place.

Top Tip thinks I

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