Best Aero Windshield Help...
 

Hi All,
I am looking for input from fellow Ecomodders here, for suggestions of where I can find the most Aero Windshield for my X-Car. I have included some simple 2D drawings of something like I am looking for, pretty much the most rounded DOT windshield "about" 40" wide x "about" 14" high. Larger would be OK, as I can get it cut down. Thanks.

That looks close to a porsche speedster windshield. Its wider, but is reasonable price wise.

Maybe someone else will chime in with another DOT, off-the-shelf unit.

I've wondered about the possibility of running a back window as a windshield before (like a 93+ F-body, corvette or Riviera), without rear defrost of course. It would be DOT, but missing the AS1 lines.

glass
 

The Le Mans Prototype LMP1 racers might be running something that would work.They might provide dimensions and their source.
Metalcrafters,Costa Mesa,California, has done one-off concept cars windshields of DOT Laminated Safety glass as well.They might know some sources.
Sit down when they give prices.:eek:

Could you use a windshield out of a plane ?

I think we all have thought of that . I can't remember what the final say was, but i think i remember it said here in this forum that the DOT considers that a no-no for some reason or other.

Probably due to the as-1 glazing. Most other windows are as-2 which is mainly just a light transmission issue. Since AZ allows full tint, there might be a loophole or no law on point. I'll pull it up in westlaw and take a look.

§ 28-957.01. Windshields required
A. The following vehicles shall be equipped with an adequate windshield:
1. A passenger vehicle, except a motorcycle, an all-terrain vehicle and a golf cart manufactured or modified before June 17, 1998.
2. A motor truck or truck tractor, except fire trucks, fire engines or other fire apparatus, whether publicly or privately owned.
B. This section does not apply to an implement of husbandry or to an antique, classic or horseless carriage automobile if it was not originally equipped with a windshield.

Note: Law has been challenged for vagueness, but the appellate court decided on the other claims without answering.

yadda yadda on tint

§ 28-959. Safety glass required; applicability; denial or suspension of registration; definition
Currentness
A. A person shall not sell and the department shall not register a new motor vehicle as specified in this section unless the vehicle is equipped with safety glass wherever glass is used in doors, windows and windshields.
B. This section applies to passenger motor vehicles, other than golf carts, including passenger buses and school buses. For trucks, including truck tractors, the requirements of this section for safety glass apply to all glass used in doors, windows and windshields in the drivers' compartments of the vehicles.
C. The director shall not register a new motor vehicle unless it is equipped with an approved type of safety glass. The director shall suspend the registration of any motor vehicle that is subject to this section and that the director finds is not equipped with an approved type of safety glass. The suspension shall continue until the motor vehicle is made to conform to the requirements of this section.
D. A person shall not replace glass or glazing materials used in partitions, doors, windows, windshields or wind deflectors in a motor vehicle with a material other than safety glass.
E. For the purposes of this section, “safety glass” means a product composed of glass that is manufactured, fabricated or treated in a manner that substantially prevents shattering and flying of the glass when struck or broken and that meets applicable federal safety standards.

/\ D says yes, E leaves the door open to them denying it (not as-1).

Potential work around
§ 28-2484. License plates for historic vehicles; definition
Currentness
A. The department shall issue special license plates for a historic vehicle on application and in the manner and at the time prescribed by the department. The license plates are in lieu of the regular license plates issued by the department.
B. The registration numbers and special license plates assigned to the historic vehicles shall be manufactured from Arizona copper and shall run in separate unique numerical series. The license plates shall be of a distinguishing color but different from the color selected for license plates issued under § 28-2482 or 28-2483.
C. On renewal of registration of a historic vehicle, the department shall annually issue symbols or devices as provided in § 28-2355.
D. The director shall grant the final approval of a vehicle to be licensed under this section.
E. For the purposes of this section, “historic vehicle” means any of the following:
1. A vehicle bearing a model year date of original manufacture that is twenty-five years old or older.
2. A vehicle included in a list of historic vehicles filed with the director by a recognized historic or classic vehicle organization during the month of December of each year.
3. A reconstructed vehicle that the director determines, on application by the owner, retains at least the basic original body style as manufactured twenty-five years or more before the date of the application.

Why?
§ 28-2485. Safety requirements; compliance
Currentness
Notwithstanding any other law, a motor vehicle that is eligible to be licensed under this article is in compliance with the safety requirements of the laws of this state relating to motor vehicles if the original safety equipment placed on the motor vehicle by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle is in good operating condition or if the original equipment has been replaced by equipment equal to or more efficient than the original equipment.

Since its, all safety glass its equal. Gets around Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-959(E) language of "applicable federal safety standards" (see id.).

The easiest way, whatever you want over a as-1 windshield. The laws only cover replacing, not doubling up. And tint type viability rules only cover "object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed or applied on the windshield ". Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-959.01

It is possible to cut down stock windshields by masking off the excess glass area and sandblasting the cut line. Heavy duty brisket masking tape works best. This tape is used when sandblasting wooden signs. Jay Leno's "Type IV" XKE short wheelbase roadster.
The custom roadster started out life as a Jaguar Type III long wheelbase coupe. The windshield was cut down to fit the roadster profile. A rear section short wheelbase Type I roadster body was grafted onto the Type III front body section.

The Ultima GTR from the UK has a nice windshield, price....uh who knows, but I'll check it out. There is the possibility of cutting down one of the 50's or 60's GM cars glass, as they have some wraparound, but generally only at the sides and not very rounded across the whole width. The Dodge Viper is also a possible.

I read about that. Some recommend using wet tile saws, which they say are fifty dollars or less at Home Depot, although someone recommended purchasing a new blade for each windshield. I found this video, which looks great:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl5nm48pYFc#t=17

For some reason, that five-minute video plays twice, instead of actually being ten minutes long.

From what I have read, there is always the risk of cracking a windshield while cutting it, and everybody says to practice on a junk windshield first.

A UK windshield won't say DOT.

Most windshields prior to 1968 probably won't either. That's when the year Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 205 (49 CFR 571.205, S6) went into effect, and codified use of ANSI/SAE Z26.1-1996 .

Viper is an option.

Fyi, if you cut the windshield, leave the DOT markings. Otherwise, what was the point?

A backlight would only be tempered glass, not laminated safety glass. One stone chip and BAM, a million pieces.

I'm going to assume a regular production windshield is going to be WAY cheaper than a low volume model, or racecar. And racecar windshields don't have to be DOT legal. I'm also thinking something fairly modern as the older you go, the flatter they seem to be.

Some thoughts:
Mini Coupe (or Hardtop)
Fiat 500
Chevy HHR (it's actually a pretty small windshiled due to the high beltline)


http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/cro...z-1_600x0w.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...00_front-1.jpg

http://epautos.com/wp-content/upload...3/HHR-lead.jpg

Yeah, not too close, but pretty tall order....

That would probably be what I would do, cut off the DOT mark...LOL!

I am looking for More Rounded, which is hard to find. The Ultima GTR looks good, but i don't know if it is importable in the US, and the cost has me worried. A cut down Dodge Viper is probably in first place so far.

Yea, that looks pretty good! I'll need to get some measurements when I am out and about. I am no where near close to need it yet, but information is progress.

Race-Car-Replicas - 586-329-1573 - Superlite Coupe

They list "DOT Windshield" for their cars. Fran Hall relies on the automotive industry here in Michigan. Wouldn't surprise me if he found a supplier willing to build low volume windshields for him.

back window
 

Nope.It's DOT Safety Glass,but not Laminated Safety Glass.You'd never pass an annual safety inspection in the states which require it.
I have a mid-90s Camaro rear glass without the elec. defroster etchings for a static aero display.But that is as far as it will ever go.Even the folks at Bonneville said no-no!:(

ennored...This might be the best I've seen. Same thing on the price, I better sit down first!

willing to build
 

The Bede Litestar windshield tooling is $10,000.
The Lola Marauder tooling is $29,000.
They just need enough units ordered to justify the expense of tooling up.
Vehicle registation and licensing laws might allow a polycarbonate 'spyder' windshield for an open cockpit car,then afterwards,a roof mysteriously appears on the car in between inspections.
Buses have run legally with Lexan windshields.Wipers won't scratch them.
You've just got to anticipate Ken and Barbie barreling through a puddle alongside you,creating temporary blindness,and an ability to clear the screen.:eek:

The Superlite Coupe ennored mentioned, sells the windshield and all the Lexan windows for $1900 ish. It would probably be too narrow for your truck though.

GM wraparound glass
 

If you ran a center post,you might cut the center out of the windshield,bring the sides together to form the 2-pc screen at 40".
The tilt angle of these windshields would require consideration.
Two Corbin windshields,side by side might get close to 40".They're DOT certified.

segmented flat panels
 

Laminated safety glass has been available in flat panes.As a last ditch effort,you could do as Kamm and Carl Breer did,creating a panoramic windscreen of segmented panes.
Bob Parsons would double-score the glass on the cut line,then momentarily ignite lighter fluid applied to the score to heat and soften the adhesive bond before snapping.He got very good results.
Our 'best' cut-down artist in the area has only a 33% success rate altering compound -curve windshields.:o

There are a few Viper windshields on car-part.com, with the lowest being $186, and allegedly new, although I do not have any idea how much shipping would be. There is one for $375 and two for $750 each, in "A" condition.

Yes, cutting the center out was exactly my thought 33% is not very good, even for a limited production

Another option from another forum
http://www.trivalleyautoglass.com/index.cfm

or
http://www.shop.sterlingsportscars.c...ass-PG-510.htm

The kit car guys have also had success with geo storm and sc2 pieces.

WWBD [What Would Bucky Do?]

http://i.imgur.com/XfdLj.jpg

That's what got me started here!

How did this car survive with rear steering?

1933 Fuller Dymaxion - The 50 Worst Cars of All Time - TIME

The Top 20 Dumbest Cars Of All Time

Personally, I think that this car and the next contributed far more to the world than its critics have.

1997 GM EV1 - The 50 Worst Cars of All Time - TIME

I think the day will come when the rear steering on a Dymaxion car will be electro-mechanically controlled with gyroscopic and GPS sensors connected to a computer. Independent inboard front drive motors could add to the steering with computerized controllers that could help stabilize the steering in unison with the rear wheel.
I honestly think that the first series Dymaxion cars had so much of a front overhang that they became unsteerable in strong crosswinds.

One of the Dymaxions put 120,000 miles on the odometer. Cross-wind performance was managable but not what the normal driver would expect. They wanted to yaw into the wind instead of veering downwind.

They weren't even cars; but test vehicles for his Omni-Directional Transport tri-phibian. At high speeds the rear wheel was to lift off the ground with steering by rudder and drive from the two front wheels.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-fr...f5307910-o.jpg

He anticipated (1933) turbojets that would let it lift off straight up like a Harier jump jet. His design for Kaiser had a variable wheelbase and 3 wheel power and steering.

Tesla Roadster
 

I saw a Tesla Roadster up close and personal this morning and I immediately flashed on your project when I realized how narrow the canopy and windshield was.
I'm not sure of the dimensions,but it might be something Lotus could provide.

I went back to the first page to see what this was all about, and found the Porsche Speedster suggestion. It would be enlightening to find an autoglass provider willing to put one of each up on a countertop for evaluation.

T-100 with Camaro backlight
 

No good for the street or strip
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...titled49_1.jpg

bondo
 

If the USFRA had allowed me to run it in 2012,I would have done the integration and figured out a way to transport it to,and attach it at Bonneville.But they said no dice!
For September this year,I'm going to make a sheetmetal or composite vignette of the wrap-around windscreen to test at DARKO.
R.G.S White gave it the A-Rating in 1968 and I want to see if it shows,drag-wise.
Here,VW is using the wraparound glass on their VW 2000 of 1980
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...titled7_26.jpg
Ditto for some of today's bigtime boy racers
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...titled-8_2.jpg
(the evil Phil Knox has considered doing the integration anyway,installing the backlight as a 'bug-deflector' over the existing DOT windshield,with it's own wiper/washer system just to get some mpg data).And beg for forgiveness if any eagle-eyed constabulary catches on and wishes a roadside chat.:p
My biggest concern would be very weird internal reflections between the two screens.:confused:

Camaro backlight-2
 

Here's a shot from a higher vantage point which illustrates the plan curvature of the glass a little better
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...Untitled_3.jpg

I've been looking lately at the Nissan IDS Concept. It's got these windsplits on the hood to partition the airflow over the windshield. They aren't as thin as the cut-line at the A-pillar makes them look.

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam...m-plus-169.jpg
http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/03/autos/nissan-tokyo-motor-show/

windsplits
 

I don't know what they're doing.But I'm doing the same thing on the T-100,without lowering the center/cowl area.
They may have cameras hidden in those areas at their trailing edges.

Oh man that is beautiful.

Real or Photoshop?