Windshield woe !

Chevrolet

CCCUK Member
The fact that it's on a classic , limited mileage policy didn't give me the option to protect the NCB,
Last classic car policy I had (7 years ago) on my C4, with Footman James for years and years, didnt have any NCB conditions/element. I.e Didnt ask for/recognise a NCB entitlement from another vehicle when I took it out, or give me one when I finished it. Has that changed on classic car policies? Or just on some of them?

And yes, you are right, the windscreen companies and Halfords won't repair a crack, only chips.
 
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Chuffer

CCCUK Member
Autoglass replaced a cracked screen on my 1980 C3 just a few years ago and did a fabulous . I was a bit sceptical about a main stream repairer doing the job on a classic car but I couldn`t fault them . I claimed on my classic insurance with Classic Line and it didn`t affect my premium on renewal .
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
True story

I was with State Farm Ins here in states for THIRTY years, I had paid them
Never filed a claim, no crashes, no traffic tickets, and owned Corvettes all those years

So time to renew for year 31 and was TOLD they would NOT renew the policy because
Their computer modeling software computed the ODDs percentage I would have a crash for that year was high !
I told them to F off !

30 years later still never had the above happen, so end results I have driven for 60 years and never filed 1 claim
and paid a fortune for Corvette insurance and got nothing in return :(
 

Chuffer

CCCUK Member
True story

I was with State Farm Ins here in states for THIRTY years, I had paid them
Never filed a claim, no crashes, no traffic tickets, and owned Corvettes all those years

So time to renew for year 31 and was TOLD they would NOT renew the policy because
Their computer modeling software computed the ODDs percentage I would have a crash for that year was high !
I told them to F off !

30 years later still never had the above happen, so end results I have driven for 60 years and never filed 1 claim
and paid a fortune for Corvette insurance and got nothing in return :(
Life`s a bitch and then you die ! :cry:
 

CaptainK

CCCUK Member
but a crack isn't repairable, so that's that , then .
That's not quite 100% true about not repairing a crack. It depends on the crack, size, position etc etc. I had a guy come out to repair the crack on my other car's windscreen many moons back. Before he came out I sent him photos and described the crack etc and he said it sounded repairable. Came out started on it, but it wasn't working - because the crack was also on the inside of laminated front windscreen too.

From what I remember, if the crack is just on the outside of the laminated screen, they can repair is as they force the "magic solution" into the crack at one end and then under pressure it capillaries up the crack to fix it. He said the same technique can technically be used to do the inside of the screen too, BUT the inside of my car was too angled and with it then also being upside down (forcing the "magic juice" up and into the crack whilst upside down in the car), then it wouldn't work. Thus then I got someone else to replace the screen.
 

Chevrolet

CCCUK Member
That's not quite 100% true about not repairing a crack. It depends on the crack, size, position etc etc. I had a guy come out to repair the crack on my other car's windscreen many moons back.
I've always worked on the basis that the "big names" (like Autoglass) will not repair a cracked screen? Never needed to find out (touch wood). This Rolson repair kit can allegedly be used for cracked windscreens. Halfords sell it:
 

Fatbloke-Dim

Well-known user
I'm thinking I may just run it up to Autoglass, they're pretty local , see if crack repair be an option. It's not a massive crack ,mebbe about 6 or 7 inches, right in the center of the screen at the bottom. Seems like it's forming into a semicircular shape . Needless to say, finding one over here is like the mythical dobby-horse droppings. A seller on Ebay lists them ,at reasonable prices, but these are 'plain' , glass, not HUD or OnStar. He tells me he has found one in Germany, but they refused to ship it when he asked about liability for damage, which is a fair enough question. Even if I could find someone to freight it, it might be do-able. I know the OnStar never worked over here, and is something I could care less about, but I thought , might as well get the right glass and reinstall it for the sake of neatness and making things a bit easier . Unless anyone knows whether it be possible to remove the box of gubbins from the 'screen header ? Although I've read of folks having a no start issue when doing this. It would need the jumper mod to a connector, and seems like a constant battery feed is involved. Why is nothing ever easy with these things?..................
 

Fatbloke-Dim

Well-known user
I rang Parts USA. kinda ironic , seeing as the 'road-chasm' ( the pot-hole has been upgraded!) was right near their place ! They quoted 2345 , plus VAT, plus fitting, , 6 to 8 weeks delivery. Insurance only provides 1500 glass cover, but they assured me it won't harm my premiums. Hmmmm......
 

Fatbloke-Dim

Well-known user
Somewhat belated update dept.
Turned into a little bit of a saga, unsurprisingly. Passed it back to Hagerty , after being assured it won't affect my premium . After finding 'plain-Jane' windshields advertised on Ebay , not too far from home, I contacted the seller to see if a HUD/OnStar/top-tint could be sourced. The basic glass was about £575-ish . One could be sourced, I was told , but it turned out to be in Bremen , and the seller was reluctant to order it in due to shipping costs and the risk of receiving a shattered glass . Fair enough . I could not find anyone who would quote , or even respond to enquiries to ship it myself, so started to look stateside, with similar results.
In desperation , I contacted Autoglass , but heard nothing in return for a couple of weeks. I then chased this up and got a text by return saying 'the part needed for your repair is being sourced' . We'll see , thought I. 5 days later, I got a text saying 'the part' was in stock , and to make a booking for the job. Blimey ! So I called the booking line, being somewhat sceptical , I asked the person on the 'phone to check what, exactly had turned up . 'HUD, GPS ( OnStar ) , top tint band. The latter I wasn't even aware I had . So, that looks good , then appointment made , sat back and marvelled at my good fortune.

On the day , I decided I would ask to see the glass and make sure it was the correct one, before leaving it . Good job I did, as the blackout area of the 'obscuration strip ' for the OnStar was absent. So , this was notified back to Autoglass , the job was cancelled, and I heard nothing for 2 weeks, so emailed them again. A further couple of weeks pass, and I decided that as OnStar never worked here, and is discontinued anyway , I'd take the windshield they had sourced originally ,it ought to be still available, I reasoned , so notified Autoglass to this effect and waited. Another 2 weeks . Just as I was about to follow up on it, I got the text that 'the parts' were available and to book in.

In the meantime , I had removed the OnStar box, and jumpered the wiring plug to the OnStar unit in the rear void , so the car still runs, a necessary step for anyone who wants to rid the OnStar . A few days later, the car was dropped off, a leisurely walk down the canal to the local homebrew shop for supplies, and a nice pint in an old pub I used to frequent , purely for old time's sake, you understand , and my 'phone went off ,'car's ready' . Just over an hour , job done , and a good job at that.
I have a £100 excess for glass claims , but had to pay another tenner as the cost was £1510, my limit being £1500 . At least that's sorted . What a relief, as they say ! And Autoglass , too . Whod'a thunk THAT !!??
 

Roscobbc

Moderator
Very wise to check the 'new' screen out thoroughly.......some years back I had a front screen 'go' on a company Passat I was using. Had it installed at home in the drive.....no issue. When I started using the car I kept getting headaches and eyestrain.........surprisingly the optics of the screen were 'off' leading to a distorted frontal view (and the headache) - screen was replaced asap (by Autoglass coincidentally)
 

Chuffer

CCCUK Member
Every time the dreaded cracked windscreen debate comes on the forum I always recommend Autoglass . I too was sceptical about using them for my C3 thinking they were a a bit ` main stream ` for a classic Corvette but a mate recommended them . Couldn`t fault the service and workmanship . Correct screen with sun dim upper banding and no hassle .
 

Termie

CCCUK Member
Unfortunately got a chip in the windscreen in the C8 on the way back from a European trip. It is a 13mm chip, and I'm not wanting to accept a repair that will be visible to me.

Waiting for autoglass/admiral to hopefully authorise a new OEM screen.:rolleyes:

Even if they do, I assume it'll be a bit of a wait...
 

Fatbloke-Dim

Well-known user
That thing with the Passat windshield is most peculiar . Maybe it was a 'dud' screen , they really ought to be optically perfect in the main view area . Glad it was fixed, could have led to eye/vision issues if not corrected, given the amount of time we spend gawping through them . As for the C8 , don't envy ya ! Wouldn't be surprised if Admiral argue the toss over repairing it. Also , hope your coveragelimit is up to it !! Just watched a U-toob vlog where the fella - Scraplife garage - had a local glass bloke come in and do a C6 windshield for $375 . Bit of difference , eh ?
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
There were 4 windshields for C6 Corvettes, so be clear which one you need when you order.

1. w/o OnStar and w/o HUD
2. w/o OnStar but with HUD
3. with OnStar but w/o HUD
4. with OnStar and with HUD


There is an OnStar antenna built into the windshield but being this is for C6s OnStar would no longer
be working as GM no longer supports the older cellular frequency (GM today uses 5G), so only concern is if the C6 does or does not have HUD as to which type to purchase
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
A bit like the old screens from the 70’s with the radio aerial/Antenna built into the screen . Had them on a few of my cars over the years, worked pretty well.
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
Didn’t know that you needed a special screen for the HUD, thought the info was just projected onto “the” screen. I’ve got it on my Camaro SS convertible in FL so I’ve learnt something hopefully I’ll never have to use. 🤞
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Two types of HUD designs :

Projection Based Heads Up Display

In a projection based heads up display, the information is projected onto the windshield from the dashboard. There will be a special projector on the dashboard, which will emit laser beams that will make the information appear on the windshield.

Since the windshield will actually work as a projection surface, you will see windshields that have been specifically tailored for this purpose. The windshield needs to be coated with a special film that makes it easier for the light to reflect and fall on the driver’s line of sight.
So, if you opt for a projection based heads up display, you will need a special windshield. This is more expensive than the other HUD option you have.

Reflection Based Heads Up Display

Reflector based heads up display is the most cost-effective HUD solution for drivers. In this method, the light from the projector will not go to the windshield.
Rather, it will show the information on a dedicated reflector. You can also do this heads up display smartphone apps.

I’m talking about a dedicated mirror or a reflector that sits in front of the windshield and projects the light coming from the projector. Since the light will not actually bounce off the windshield, there is no need for an especially designed one.

There’s a catch, however. Projection based heads up display creates brighter readings than reflector based HUDs.
You can tell the difference, particularly at night when the light bleed becomes more apparent.

Notice on Corvettes they came with HUD and look straight down on the dash and will see a mirror set on an angle

Does HUD work on regular windshield?

A Heads-Up Display (HUD) can work on a regular windshield, but may not be as clear as what is showing
While specialized windshields might offer better clarity as they are polarized
 
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