4 years ago I bought a new rear fastback glass from Auto City Classics. in Minneapolis.
Today my restoration reached a point ready to install the rear glass with NOS Ford gasket, NOS Ford clips and NOS stainless. After paying for the install it is apparent that the rear glass is bowed on the sides 1/8". There are 4 channel clip nails on each side of the rear glass. The glass is touching the middle two clip nails making it impossible to install clips or NOS trim. Measuring, and sighting with the use of a straight edge I see the edge of the glass is bowed. Tempered glass can not be cut or shaved. I can't even use a thinner off shore gasket
So I called the company. I was told the glass was out of warranty NO OFFER of a trade. Apparently the glass 'grew' since I drove out of state to pickup rather than ship it. To add insult to injury, it was suggested that my Shelby has had quarters that were put on wrong. My car is an original sheetmetal car family owned since early 70's As I explained the original glass fit fine. etc etc. Of course they have never seen or heard of any FB glass being a 1/4" too wide at any point on the sides. To make matters worse his FB glass is all on back order so nothing there to measure against my new bad glass measurements. I even explained I had pulled the glass and measured both glasses off the car after I had paid $120 (good money after bad) to have it installed and removed. Yep new glass is irregular as hell. Who has bought
new repo, date coded, glass that fits fine with a Ford NOS gasket? -Ray
The choices are.
Eat it and order another one.
Eat it and find a used one
Eat it and if you have your old one use it
Both a used one and possibly your original one can be polished and maybe used.
Or eat it and search for a used one.
Sometimes CL in your local area might work well for a nice used one. I went through this sort of thing many a times as restoration projects usually do not get done until many years after you have already bought parts, they cannot warrantee things forever.
I had to eat it and use my original. They even sent two replacements and they were to small!
To big not to small. Sorry
Chad Where did you buy the glass that was too big?
I have considered those options Old glass is too scratched to be polished. AS for warranty all I was asking for was a trade but before I got the words out he said he had none in stock to pull comparison measurements from.
Why I'm posting here is to find out who makes a repo glass that fits that I can have date coded. The car is in final assembly. Finding a nice used one could be weeks or months.
As well I like to hear about vendors who are selling glass that does not fit to avoid the same mistake twice. Any glass I find will likely be shipped from out of state. Try returning and explaining a piece of glass that is too fat by an 1/8" on each side. Also try getting someone to measure before they ship. Good luck, as the exact point of measurement has to be pinpoint exact! But thanks for any referrals
I just received a quote from ecs for a rear window for my fastback. It was around $500 for date coded and carlite etched glass and an additional $75 for the etched center line. I have not personally used glass from ecs but i have only heard good things. This was for a 67 fastback.
Found this on Craigslist Vancouver the other day. Just down the street from me. Unfortunately it's in Canada.
https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/pts/d/langley-mustang-fastback-rear-glass/7329970570.html
My glass was from ECS automotive concepts
These venders want you to believe they have never seen this before.You hear that sort of response from new car dealers even with internet loaded with complaints.
Thanks Chad for tipping me to ECS. MY guess is they are made by same mfg. Bad batch of glass out there.
Does ACC ring a bell as a glass mfg co- anybody? If I can determine if ACC produces all the bad glass the venders are pushing, I might be able to determine what venders to avoid-Ray
If you have your original, measure the dimensions and check with ECS if their dimensions match. I have had good luck with them in the past.
I assume the dimensions of the original were compared to the repro?
Legendary Motor Car did the restoration for me and they took pictures and measurements and sent it to ECS at least twice! They also sent them measurements of the original glass. They sent ECS pictures of the new glass laid in the opening to show them where is was to big. The guys at ECS were very nice and willing help but I do not think they have any control over the manufacturing process.
Quote from: poboy427 on June 09, 2021, 05:35:10 PM
Does ACC ring a bell as a glass mfg co- anybody? If I can determine if ACC produces all the bad glass the venders are pushing, I might be able to determine what venders to avoid-Ray
Not for me. ACC was the initials for the company (believe it was Auto Custom Carpets) that had the market for molded carpet for Mustangs then other cars for decades starting, if I recall correctly in the early 80's or late 70's- my only recall of that set of letters
It is possible to hand sand tempered glass, but must make sure that it is kept cool and no extreme heat build up or it will pop. I've been in the glass industry for 40+ years and a good table guy should be able to take maybe 1/16" off of the edges. I would find a reputable glass dealer / installer in your area and explain what you have and see if they think they can help. Most guys will use an orbital sander or better is a belt sander to dress the glass edges. There are a few You Tube videos of this process.
Don
gt350bp
Isn't the rear fastback glass laminated safety glass?
Rear and side glass is tempered safety glass. Windshield are laminated.
Don
gt350bp
My current plan is to return to MN to Auto City Classic glass with the bad glass and original glass and do my own measurements. Hard to convey measuring points when dealing with 1/8" discrepancy. I would consider sanding the bad piece but only to recoup some costs. I could never load a bad piece of glass on someone else. Just not me. If I can sand it back to spec I can sell locally. Im told to expect 60-90 day back order.
However I will contact ECS to discuss. Hopefully they will acknowledge there has been past problems. Even just a straight edge against the side will show the 1/8" bow. My original is dead straight.
Chad-Do you recall a contact person at ECS
Back to ACC as a mfg. Auto City Classic list ACC as mfg of their glass on their Ebay store listing?? No other venders I have found list a mfg co.
Thanks for all the good responses.-Ray
I have been through this twice. The reproduction fastback windows are too large, leaving insufficient room for the reveal moldings to attach.
The first instance was a Pilkington glass purchased from CJ Pony Parts (they are local to me and I could pick it up so no shipping expense.) It would not fit. I sourced a good used original glass from another long time local Mustang vendor and it fit properly. Fortunately I was able to return the CJ one.
The second time involves a Shelby that I acquired as an unfinished restoration. The glass was already installed but not the moldings. Again, there was insufficient room for the reveal moldings to attach. This glass had no manufacturer etchings so was also reproduction.
I called ECS - they have acquired PS Auto Glass. I specifically asked them if they had received any customer feedback regarding fit and also requested they give me the actual physical dimensions of their glass before I would order one. They never replied to the request.
I finally dug into my stash and pulled out an NOS Carlite glass with a 6A date code that I had been saving for a few decades. It fit and the moldings went on easily.
This seems like too easy of an issue to not have it resolved at the source.
"I called ECS - they have acquired PS Auto Glass. I specifically asked them if they had received any customer feedback regarding fit and also requested they give me the actual physical dimensions of their glass before I would order one. They never replied to the request."
This seems to be the new normal for business in America today.
Where are the moulds for this stuff?
Spoke with ECS. They guy acknowledges fit is an issue sometimes. They drop-ship their glass and claim no way to measure before hand. I ask him if he would share the name of his glass mfg co. He said they have more than one source, claiming all glass is now an off shore product. He told me that pre-covid, they were waiting 8 weeks. But orders are being sold on ebay with a 2 week shipping time-frame. You bet
Ray
I was getting ready to purchase rear glass and a windshield this month. Now I'm worried about supply and accuracy. So there is only 1 source?
I did find out that the product manufacturer listed on Ebay was ACC and in reality stands for the vendor, Auto City Classic-not the ACC trim co we all know. Auto City Classic does not manufacture anything contrary to their Ebay listing.
My original date glass was 5J. My car was Nov '65 built so a very nice original 5K tinted rear glass would work as well. -Ray
Shawn I would be cautious about buying an aftermarket FB rear glass unless you can see it in person and measure it first against a known original. When you are looking for an 1/8" on each side you need to read the tape. I was dealing out of state. I asked CJ and he said he has none in stock-claimed Oct til they expect any. I think there is a lot less problem with windshields-Ray
The Bad Glass is in! Blocked sanded 1/4" off each side. Used a 10" block with 180 grit reg adhesive backed, auto body grade paper, and-zero heat generated. Slow and steady, mask and safety glasses. Most say it can't be done with tempered glass. 12 man hrs each side over the course of 6 days-2 guys and $25 worth of paper.
I realize it could explode any day. Not unheard of for tempered glass to fail after a repair. We had nothing to loose, non returnable and I never would have sold the glass. We looked for OEM and even a repo glass to no luck. One vendor would not ship, another would not measure their glass and supply is mostly back ordered. So we just jumped in with caution and a "what do we have to loose attitude".
Don't recommend anyone to do this. I got lucky...so far. Next guy might not=Ray
The way Americans should be. Congratulations on your ingenuity and tenacity.
Quote from: poboy427 on June 25, 2021, 07:41:03 PM
The Bad Glass is in! Blocked sanded 1/4" off each side. Used a 10" block with 180 grit reg adhesive backed, auto body grade paper, and-zero heat generated. Slow and steady, mask and safety glasses. Most say it can't be done with tempered glass. 12 man hrs each side over the course of 6 days-2 guys and $25 worth of paper.
I realize it could explode any day. Not unheard of for tempered glass to fail after a repair. We had nothing to loose, non returnable and I never would have sold the glass. We looked for OEM and even a repo glass to no luck. One vendor would not ship, another would not measure their glass and supply is mostly back ordered. So we just jumped in with caution and a "what do we have to loose attitude".
Don't recommend anyone to do this. I got lucky...so far. Next guy might not=Ray
Great attitude..... good luck.
I spoke with ECS representative yesterday about the glass. I discussed some concerns about fitment accuracy and others that have had issues. I was told they are unaware of any problems and have not had any complaints. Either way I need to get the rear glass for my 66 and with a current 8 week wait I'm getting pressed for time. Looks like I'm taking the plunge and will update in about 8 weeks with results.
They are complete liars!!!
Thats scary, aren't they the only supplier?
Quote from: poboy427 on June 25, 2021, 07:41:03 PM
The Bad Glass is in! Blocked sanded 1/4" off each side. Used a 10" block with 180 grit reg adhesive backed, auto body grade paper, and-zero heat generated. Slow and steady, mask and safety glasses. Most say it can't be done with tempered glass. 12 man hrs each side over the course of 6 days-2 guys and $25 worth of paper.
I realize it could explode any day. Not unheard of for tempered glass to fail after a repair. We had nothing to loose, non returnable and I never would have sold the glass. We looked for OEM and even a repo glass to no luck. One vendor would not ship, another would not measure their glass and supply is mostly back ordered. So we just jumped in with caution and a "what do we have to loose attitude".
Don't recommend anyone to do this. I got lucky...so far. Next guy might not=Ray
It seems that much of the "classic car glass" is an issue. I ran into this with front windshields for the Pantera.
It was larger, like yours, by about 1/4" and wouldn't sit into the gasket properly. In addition, it is thinner then the originals.
To get it in, exactly what you did, sanding until it fit, was done.
To compound the issue, the original window gaskets at the time were not available and completely obsolete. Wilkinson had some made with the help of one of the Detomaso's in Europe, but they became $500 items now as far as I know.
I haven't used one recently so this is old information.
In the case of the Pantera, PPG was listing a windshield (still is I believe) and get this, for $275 so it would be interesting to see if it would fit or what kind of a misunderstanding that is?
The rear glass on a Pantera is simple by comparison to a Mustang fastback and as a result, less of an issue and could in fact be replaced with plexiglass if necessary or glass cut for you if you supply a pattern.
All things considered, maybe this is the time to add full glass replacement with no deductible to your auto insurance policy? Let the insurance company pay for it after they stop pissing and moaning about it?
Replacement auto glass is an aftermarket product. The number of manufacturers of classic glass are small. The industry is going to react to supply and demand but is also not getting accurate information as to sizes.
Unless you are talking about European sourced (for European cars) you are likely talking "off shore" production for US cars for sale here, for whatever or wherever that term applies.
How many Mustang fastbacks need new rear glass? Not many.
Quote from: shelbydoug on October 22, 2021, 09:19:31 AMHow many Mustang fastbacks need new rear glass? Not many.
This is not necessarily so. It depends upon what area of the country a particular car spent most of its life in. Most of the Shelby and Mustang fastbacks that I have been involved with have scratches. This is a common condition here in the Northeast. Cars that sat outside often had the rear window scratched as a result of snow removal. Remember that these were not always revered collector cars, they were daily drivers that had snow removed by pushing a shovel across the rear glass.