Post 1966 Karmann Ghia Windshields

[SamboSamba22]

Who would've thought the outright insanity that would ensue searching for a replacement windshield for 1966 and later Karmann Ghias.

Seems the most available are the FYG FW00222. YOU DON'T WANT THESE WINDSHIELDS! They measure 16 7/8" Top to Bottom, Center.

Now I've read almost every single thread and post pertaining to this topic, so here's my attempt and purpose of this one here.

Where in the United States can one find the proper sized windshield for a Ghia? I know of one source in the UK, their windshields are made in Turkey and measure nearly a 1/4" thick, 17 1/4" top to bottom. Someone has to be sourcing these stateside.

Please help me out, and everyone else. I have two convertibles needing windshields, one 69 and one 72, again both cabriolets and both needing to use the T Trim.

Sam
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The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[22manybugs]

According to Airhead Parts, later Ghias are supposed to use the glass that is 17" tall. The 17" tall glass is for later models to provide room for the T-shape aluminum trim. The taller glass, 17-1/4" tall, is for earlier Ghias with C-trim and will not fit with the T-trim but can be used with cal-look rubber that doesn't have any trim. Earlier Ghias are 66.5 and earlier, later Ghias are 66.5 and later.

I'm not an expert on this. I called and spoke to Airhead because they have some confusing comments about this in their ad for Ghia windshields. This is my understanding from the discussion with them. Also, this article in the archives supports this information: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/ghia_...nstall.pdf

I bought the FYG FF00222 windshield (and measured the height at 17"), the seal with blocked corners, and T-trim to install, but have not installed the windshield yet. I am interested in information that others might have.
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Lon

1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper

[SamboSamba22]

Thanks for the follow up. I’ve attempted to install the FYG glass about 7 times, using 3 different seals. Original T trim and replacement trim. One of the seals is a Cal Look seal, which with the glass measuring 16 7/8”, doesn’t even come close to roping around the pinchweld of the frame opening.
Mind you the car I’m working on currently has had the “teeth” removed in the past. The broken windshield removed measures 17 1/4”.

I’d be very interested to hear your experience because I believe myself to be very good at glass work (over a 100 pieces installed in all VW models) with numerous being deluxe trimmed units, this Ghia windshield is absolutely insane and the only thing I can assess is the fact that the glass is too small within the seal, not backing it enough to retain the trim and making a mockery of all my attempts.

Where did you source your blocked seal? The seal I received from Airhead Parts is too soft, have no structure at all, and the trim fumbles out every single time.

The other seal, from Pacific Parts, which supplies 70% of parts to all vendors is firm and behaves much like a typical window seal, but isn’t molded in the corners.

Sam
_________________
The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Era Vulgaris]

The best seal you can buy is made by Vewib. They use the original molds, bought from VW. I bought mine from Cip1. They list it as "German" windshield seal, and it's over $100. It says the brand is Cip1 5 star, but they seem to use that as a generic label for all kinds of brands. When I bought it from them I got the Vewib seal. Might want to contact them and make sure it's still Vewib that they're selling.

Also, I got my 66 windshield from West Coast Metric, and it was the exact same size and thickness as the delaminating OE windshield it was replacing. I can't vouch for their 67-74 windshield, but if it's like their early windshield you won't be disappointed.
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Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[rcooled]

[22manybugs]

[SamboSamba22]

Called and spoke with a guy named William at CIP1, who verified that the 5 star seal was in fact a Vewib product. It’s hard to pin down, as they have more than one 5 star seal, along with 3 options of German seals for the deluxe/T trim setups.

The seal I received from Airhead was just too soft, and immediately pulls off the windshield when attempting to rope it in to the car. Now as far as the trim going into the seal, it was perfect, easiest I’ve dealt with, but the elasticity and looseness made installing impossible with the FYG glass.

Ordered two seals for both cars I’m working. Will report back in a few days.

Sam
_________________
The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Era Vulgaris]

[Braukuche]

We just put a windshield in my sons ‘72 the Chinese one, Fuyo or something like that. You have to buy a spacer that goes in the seal to take up the slack but it still fits like shit.
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Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia

[22manybugs]

Well, I chickened out. I was already not confident about installing the windshield based other experiences posted on TheSamba, then with Sam (sambosamba22) buying the same seal as me from Airhead, having much experience installing windshields, and not being able to install with that seal, I decided "nope".

I took the car to the body shop that's done the bodywork and paint on my car. They also install windshields, including older cars. They tried to install the windshield several times and could not. They say every time they install around a corner then move to a straight section, the corner pops out. It sounds similar to Sam's experience. The glass I have, the FYG FF00222, is the same glass that they would have ordered, so they are not concerned about the glass. They are ordering a new rubber seal from their supplier. They don't know the seal manufacturer, but it's pretty expensive, so hopefully it's the good one. If the new rubber doesn't work, they can return it, so I won't have to pay unless it works. If it works and I can get the manufacturer name, I'll add the info here.
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Lon

1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper

[SamboSamba22]

Here is my most recent effort on the 72 convertible that still retains the teeth along the pinchweld.
You can see the glass and trim are in, but the size of the glass is allowing the seal to roll short and back in/under the lower portion of the glass.

For what it’s worth, the German seal at CIP1 is in fact the Vewib seal.

_________________
The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[22manybugs]

Sam, did you order the Vewib seal from CIP1? Are these photos with the old seal or the new seal?
_________________
Lon

1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper

[SamboSamba22]

[rcooled]

[wagen19]

[Era Vulgaris]

[22manybugs]

I finally got the car back from the shop. It was weeks to get the windshield installed. Remember that I provided the parts (rubber, windshield, and aluminum T-trim) and the shop was having problems getting the rubber to stay in place. They ordered a seal from their supplier, when they got it, it was the same as the one I provided or at least it acted the same when they tried to install it. Their supplier had an alternate seal so they tried that one next. That seal was very stiff, plus apparently the seal groove for the T-trim is supposed to have an inside edge that catches the barbed edge on the T-trim, but the seal groove edge was too deep and would not catch the T-trim, so the T-trim kept popping out.

At some point they tried installing the glass in the rubber then installing in the car then adding the T-trim, but that didn't work because they couldn't get the T-trim into the groove after everything was installed in the car.

The shop said they also removed the "gripper strips" at some point from around the window frame on the car. Those are the tack-welded angle sections that create a thicker edge to hold the window rubber. One had been removed before I bought the car, there were four still in place. I don't know if the shop removed all or some of them.

The shop finally went back to the rubber seal I had provided. Spent some time coaxing it into place. The last problem was around the top left corner that the rubber was not wide enough and kept wanting to roll into the space between the seal and the frame. They tried pulling the rubber out further. I also tried, but it was not moving. The shop put a spacer between the seal and the frame to help keep the rubber pushed out so it doesn't roll under.

Here's photos with the windshield installed. The last one is the top left corner that was the problem.

I didn't install the windshield myself, so don't have any tips to offer. The rubber seal was from Airhead parts, it was the better seal with molded corners, we never ended up trying the Vewib seal. I'm glad I didn't do the install myself. The shop that did the work is a general body shop; they work on new and old cars. They did the body work and paint on my car. They have installed windshields in many old cars similar to this (with glass inside rubber that installs into the frame), but not Ghia-specific. They said this was about the most difficult glass installation they have done.
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Lon

1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper