New Windshields?

[danielsan]

Yes, but you have your numbers inverted. It should be:

17" Late
17 1/4 Early.

When VW changed the seal and trim they had to reduce the size of the windshield so the new trim would not hit the glass. You want a 17 and 1/4 window -- I would call your local glass company and see if they can find a fw222 plinkington (PLK) window for you. When I called last year the local place had something like 10 in stock.

From the HoG catalog:

Do you see why the later, T-trim seal needed the shorter window?

[spectre6000]

I called HOG, nothing. I called Pilkington, and straight from the horses mouth, they have sold five KG windshields ever, all late, the last one they sold was more than five years ago.

Typo on the early late glass measurements, you are correct. Editing now. The rear glass was correct, and is similarly larger for earlier vintages for the same reasons.
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Jason Hopper

-'58 German Market Deluxe Beetle (in progress)
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[danielsan]

[mfitzsimor]

Here are links to what may be WAY more information than you need!

http://www.farrout.org/ghiafaq/patterson.html#24

http://www.farrout.org/ghiafaq/patterson.html#25

Mark
_________________
portland, or
69 cypress green ghia coupe
82 vanagon TD
86 quantum syncro

[c21darrel]

Since you re talking about windshields still. I wanted to put early C-trim on my 68. I ordered the c- style blocked rubber from HOG and obtained some nice chrome trim. Accidentally HOG sent me two front c trim seals by mistake. I couldnt test my plan because I had two front seals and no front window yet. After talking with them, they said my plan wouldnt work (Early on late). Im not 100% sure this is true but I was running short of time and wanted the car at The Classic so I ordered the T style blocked rubber and spent a boatload of time polishing out my alum trim. Install was pretty easy, even doing it by myself the night before the Classic. Front window is the FY with green tint, i like the look. I have gaps in a few spots because the window is too small. The gaps are between the rubber and window opening. I'll try to get a pic later. I also have gaps in the back...orig rear window, matching blocked t-trim rubber and alum. The gaps in back not as bad.
So,
1.has anyone used chrome trim in a late car and
2.anyone else have gaps using currently available KGPR blocked seals?

[mfitzsimor]

I had gaps in the upper corners of the rear window opening when I installed the original rear glass and "T" trim with a HOG blocked seal.

I attributed the gaps to my NOT doing the best job of fitting the "T" trim to the window opening before the install.

I had leaks at both lower corners. I used "Flowable Silicon" from NAPA around the exterior of the seal to stop them.

mark
_________________
portland, or
69 cypress green ghia coupe
82 vanagon TD
86 quantum syncro

[c21darrel]

Difficult to get a decent pic w/ black top, black seal...

[anthracitedub]

There was an article in a hot vw mag a few years ago.... They were showing an install on a 59 vert.... Clearly used Pilkington glass as it had the sticker on it with their part number. It perked my interest because I used to work for Pilkington for 10 years.

[mfitzsimor]

C21Darrel,

My top corner rear window gaps are not as big as yours. The outer edge of the seal covers them, but barely. I manipulated the seal and the "T" trim to close them somewhat, but I suspect they were the cause of my leaks.

Had I not been able to stop the leaking, I planned to remove the rear glass, refit the trim, and try again.

Here are instructions on shaping the trim I copied from a posting to the KGCNA Email list:

"shape the Trim to the Windshield without the Seal. Now the Trim conforms to the shape of the Windshield.
After that is done, take the Trim halves to the Body. Re-shape the Trim to fit the Body, trying to work on the outside edge in compromise.
Pay special attention to the corners. If the Trim does not lay directly against the Body in the corners, shape the Trim so that it does. Hold the Trim on the palm of one hand, and with the heel of the other hand, wipe across the outer edge of the Trim with pressure until the shape is correct."

Mark
_________________
portland, or
69 cypress green ghia coupe
82 vanagon TD
86 quantum syncro

[c21darrel]

Thanks Mark,I got the shim info from lonotch and I am going to re do the windows. I'll pay more attn to the trim being a factor in the fit. Im not too worried about leaking, i only drive this car for fun in good weather. Although no one else has noticed, I see it.

[wideweegie]

I am 10 weeks and two gaskets, two sets of chrome (T trim) and two installation attempts by guardian auto glass who sent their field operations manager from Phoenix to Tucson a 90 mile one way trip to try and make a pilkington windshield fit my 73 convertible.

For the 2nd attempt they acquired a molded german gasket from KGPR and the t trim I believe. Two guys spent an hour in the Arizona heat just trying to get the gasket on the glass. They spent another hour pulling pushing and picking at the windshield and the gasket and still failed to make the corners fit without the gasket falling short and tucking into the windshield frame (hole).

They did manage to jack up my brand new paint job on both sides( L65k Ravenna green). They have now basically bailed on the job and don't want to proceed any further. I now have to find a paint shop to custom match the paint to touch up the damage, before I have another company install another windshield+ gasket + trim. The owner of Guardian auto glass llc (Jim Stouffer) has offered to pay for the paint repair and has withdrawn their claim against allstate for the cost so far. But what a nightmare experience.

Apparently Chris at HOG told Guardian that it wouldn't make a difference installing a PPG windshield, as they are made to the same spec's . But when I spoke to him he said they have never had a problem installing a PPg windshield which is supposedly made right here in the good ol' usa.

I'm at a sad and frustrated loss at this point, so any advice would be more than welcome.

[otokoto]

a piece of advisory, DONT get the FY brand that Airheads is selling, waste of money and freight. FY windshield DOES NOT FIT AT ALL, my mistake was that I did not check the shipment of the windshield for fit until later on and found out that it is way off from the original, I wonder why they sell it even if they have tons of complaints with the FY glass.

[didget69]

[John Moxon]

[didget69]

[John Moxon]

[thruhiker74]

[jdoug]

I've read this thread a few times, but I still don't know if there is a supplier for the 17 1/4" windshield for an early Ghia. Is there one? I need one for my '63. I have someone who can install it.

[sputnick60]

I've know of a supplier in Germany.
http://en.hoffmann-speedster.com/karmann-ghia/in-h...r?c=135993

You'd have to wear the freight cost.

Nicholas
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'66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
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[FL-Frank]

Has anyone found a supplier in the US that can provide the 17.25” clear windshield?
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“Tinker Toy” 1967 Savannah Beige Beetle Sedan...........Mostly Original Survivor
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