Replacement Windshield Options

[Muzez]

Hi Guys, 1977 280z. Paint shop broke my windshield on the reinstall so I am searching for a replacement. Where do you guys normally get your replacement glass from? 

A saw that Zstore has one for ~$500 delivered, ZCar has a Polycarbonate option for a little more, and JDM does a local pick up option for around $400 but CA only. Is that normal? And are there other places to look? Painter mentioned that he had some local distributors he is going to get some quotes from, but that he was skeptical. 

https://www.thezstore.com/product/4901/oem-quality-tinted-windshield-70-78-240z-260z-280z-coupe

https://www.ebay.com/itm/304775098526?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=304775098526&targetid=1645685073768&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9016897&poi=&campaignid=20133407470&mkgroupid=147476396765&rlsatarget=pla-1645685073768&abcId=9312979&merchantid=8504304&gclid=CjwKCAjw-7OlBhB8EiwAnoOEk2I8kCJA54WyqrCDgYvSIV9xPVDLgj9dsemgRM8NPNfh84dU-q6qnRoCYAcQAvD_BwE

Edited July 11, 2023 by Muzez
Added ebay link

[Zed Head]

These guys look promising.  They're in the automotive heartland (of the past).  

https://koolkatzautoglass.com/products/windshield-fits-nissan-1975-1978-280z-1970-1973-240z-1974-260z-oem-new

https://koolkatzautoglass.com/pages/about-us

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_code_440

[Zed Head]

Here's another.  No need to go to the specialty shops, I think.

https://www.kitsapvalueglass.com/

[Tirnipgreen]

My local glass dude found me one without the sun band for right at $300 a couple of years ago. He charged me $150 to install it. Nice.

[Racer X]

1 hour ago, Muzez said:

Hi Guys, 1977 280z. Paint shop broke my windshield on the reinstall so I am searching for a replacement. Where do you guys normally get your replacement glass from? 

A saw that Zstore has one for ~$500 delivered, ZCar has a Polycarbonate option for a little more, and JDM does a local pick up option for around $400 but CA only. Is that normal? And are there other places to look? Painter mentioned that he had some local distributors he is going to get some quotes from, but that he was skeptical. 

https://www.thezstore.com/product/4901/oem-quality-tinted-windshield-70-78-240z-260z-280z-coupe

https://www.ebay.com/itm/304775098526?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=304775098526&targetid=1645685073768&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9016897&poi=&campaignid=20133407470&mkgroupid=147476396765&rlsatarget=pla-1645685073768&abcId=9312979&merchantid=8504304&gclid=CjwKCAjw-7OlBhB8EiwAnoOEk2I8kCJA54WyqrCDgYvSIV9xPVDLgj9dsemgRM8NPNfh84dU-q6qnRoCYAcQAvD_BwE

Windshield glass shouldn't be difficult to find.

The question is, if you were paying someone to install it, and they broke it, why are you looking? It should fall on them to find another, at their expense. 

[Tirnipgreen]

Even if the shop had agreed to pay for it, I would help in the search for it's replacement. Just Sayin'...

[Terrapin Z]

I bought the MSA one for my deer impact replacement. It was thicker than most of the satellite type glass places I've seen. 

It is made by a company called XXX glass out of Canada. It was about $500 drop shipped to the bodyshop. No tint band on top. 

[Namerow]

2 hours ago, Terrapin Z said:

It is made by a company called XXX glass out of Canada.

I believe that the 'XXX"' moniker is Pilkington's short-form for their 'Triplex' line of laminated automotive safety glass.  Pilkington has been manufacturing automotive glass products at a plant in Collingwood, Ontario since 1973.  Hard to believe that they'd be engaged in short production runs of replacement glass for vintage cars, but you never know.  A brief write-up that I found for Pilkington North America says, "Its sales are made up of 70 percent automotive products (57 percent Original Equipment and 43 percent Automotive Glass Replacement) and 30 percent architectural".  It would be interesting to know how long ago your MSA-sourced windshield was actually made.

[Terrapin Z]

I do remember some thing about the name Pilkington.

Next time I get the car cover off I will get a picture of the name on there. I expect there is a date code. 

[SteveJ]

I think Summit Racing used to list the Pilkington windshields. I tried to order one, and the ship date kept moving out until my order was cancelled.

[SteveJ]

And I checked my email archives to find the cancellation from Summit (5 years ago). It had the part number, so I looked it up.

[SteveJ]

And I found the email after the order. Look at that price. 😞

I think one of the Jims posted about finding it 5 years ago.

Nope! It was @Zed Head. The good news was that I did get a windshield 3 years ago for a great price thanks to a hook-up from a friend.

 

Edited July 12, 2023 by SteveJ