low windshield on 68 roadster?

[Cherry Blossom]

i like the lower windshields of the 67.5 and older roadsters so i was wondering how hard it would be to modify one to fit a 68 and older roadster?

[spl310]

Well, that depends on your definition of hard! You will need to source the windshield, side vent windows and the soft top frame to start with. Ideally, you would need an entire cowl section to graft stuff across. Keep in mind that the wipers changed, so you would need to either find some Amco adjustable wiper arms, or modify that to be the early style as well. There is a LOT to it!

Honestly, you would be better off finding a decent low windshield car to start with. If your car is a long term project, you could find a rusted out low windshield car and cut the cowl section out and graft all of that stuff over.

[Cherry Blossom]

thanks for the help. i guess ill just keep the search up for a pre 67.5 roadster.

[ppeters914]

From my experience, the summer months are generally when most people are driving their roadsters or tackling the big restoration projects since they can roll that chassis outside. This means fewer roadsters on the market and higher prices.

If you can wait until fall when the weather isn't so nice, you'll see more cars available.

Of course, that "perfect" low windshield may come up for sale at any moment, so be ready.

Good luck, and don't worry, you'll find one.

[Conner]

Yeah, geographically you are located in "roadster-central." Depending on how much of a project you are looking to take on, you will find more available that is farther away from the road.
Just keep your eyes on ebay, craigslist, hemmings, and local classifieds and you will be able to find something just right for you. Also, there are people here and on the mailing list (definitely join the mailing list) with multiple roadsters that occaisionally want/need to sell or that see a car in their area and post it up to the list.

[Datrock]

Has anyone ever cut and lowered the late model windshield frame to except the lower winshield. That way you would not have to use the early model removable frame work. I realize you would have to splice the gasket and there are soft top and wing windows issues like Sid mentioned.
I have a late model frame that I cut off a parts car and thought it could be used for this purpose, not saying I'm going to do it, but it does look like it's possible to do.....Bill

[spl310]

IF you were to contemplate that, remember that the windshields are at different angles - the high windshield car is angled more than the low. That means that the glass from the low would not fit right without a lot of massaging. Also, the width at the top would be an issue - you would have to widen the top piece before you grafted it back on.

To do that, it would make more sense to cut down a stock high windshield glass to the height that you want. I am sure that a street rod shop could do it, but when you are done, you will have an interesting but even more difficult to repair car. There are some low windshield cars on eBay right now if you really have the jones for a chrome frame car...

[Cherry Blossom]

thanks for the advice guys.
spl310- what do you mean by chrome frame?

[toolsnob]

make a seudo 67.5 body by section 2 tubs together. Pretty simple really, cut along the seam right behind the seats, weld together and stick some late model front fenders and hood on and there you go!

[spl310]

Cherry Blossom,

The windshield frame on the low windshield cars is removeable, and those pieces are chrome plated. They actually assemble around the windshield and bolt to the body. If you check some of the resto photos that are floating around, you will find a photo of one.

[spl310]

If you really want to try the conversion, consider picking up Joaquin's 1500 on ebay. Being a 3 seater, the dash is welded to the cowl. You can remove it later to put whatever dash you want in it, but for now, it would keep things solid and aligned while you graft it in. Just a thought.

[Conner]

I agree. If you are up for a big project, I'd suggest that 1500 on ebay. It could be a very nice and rare car with some work.

My suggestion to you if you do go the resto-route (from my experience on my own project, which has just got underway) is to buy the most complete car you can find. For the most part it is much, much cheaper to clean-up, rebuild, straighten, or fix existing parts than to buy replacement parts.

[COS1969]

Ok, I think I have my answer to a question on windshields that I posted elsewhere in this forum! IF I go the lower windshield route, I would probably go to a roadster shop to get it chopped.