Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Music City Lotus on Friday,October 30, 2020, 09:38:41 AM
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Pilkington closed their Classic Department.
They have 9 windshields left in stock in the US. Call Rick at 1 866 890 8141 to get one. 320 bucks
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So what can we do if we need a windshield??
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This is a worrying, though not unexpected development. Is a windscreen the type of thing that can be tooled up in the future, such as for a group buy or some other initiative?
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There are places that will make windshields if you have a sample or make a pattern, so it's not the end of the world.
I talked to Rick at Pilkington a couple of hours ago, you can't order direct as an individual, so that is a problem. He said they were no longer going to get them in from the UK, but it sounds like they will still be making them over there.
I just got my car a week ago and need a windshield at some point .... :blowup:
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Clear or tinted?
I think mine is good, but I have not removed and refitted it yet.
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Mine is tinted.....
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Just got an email from Pilkington US that their Classic division is gone. Referred me to Flush Mount Glass Co in AZ. Seems worthless on their website as only U.S. cars.
Last I heard classic Pilkington windshields for European cars were being made in Finland. Summit Racing lists classic Pilkington windshields on their website with many varieties even MG's and Pantera, but no Lotus. What is going on here?
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I can understand Pilkington ending support of classic cars like the Europa. There aren't many of them around any more. Hopefully some boutique glass company will buy their tooling and produce them.
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US is totally out of stock... Damn I need at least 2 windshields...
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Glad I have one on the way!
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Glad I have one on the way!
My "friend" broke mine by accident when we were moving my car... FML
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Bummer! :o
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Wow....that stinks! I had a friend slip with a angle grinder and ruin a windshield in one of my Mustangs before :blowup: what can you say when they are "helping" you ?
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Wow....that stinks! I had a friend slip with a angle grinder and ruin a windshield in one of my Mustangs before :blowup: what can you say when they are "helping" you ?
Exactly!! I warned him about how fragile the windshield is before we started....He thought he was being helpful and he took it to his truck and tried to strap it down.... :( :( :(
With friends like that who needs enemies?
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I prefer to have no "help" unless absolutely necessary!
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Here is a possible source in the UK. Although they don't list Europa they do other Lotus models and will do customs.
https://www.heatedwindscreen.com/
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There are places here that do customs. Just search on custom windshields..... Maybe they could do one slightly oversize so you could flush mount it and do away the bulky looking trim...
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Pilkington UK said price is approx £500 depending on spec and delivery to US is estimated at around £750... 10-12 weeks
Might have to do a group buy to save on shipping.....
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Yikes......
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Hagerty, with the proper policy I suppose, will cover your windshield. I had mine replaced and they only asked for the bill, not how much.
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Hagerty, with the proper policy I suppose, will cover your windshield. I had mine replaced and they only asked for the bill, not how much.
My car came with a pre existing condition...
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;D
When you get closer, give them a call. They are super easy to deal with and they understand us.
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Having once been a professional importer of English Kit Cars I may have some insight here.
To bring cost down a group buy and consolidated shipment is pretty much the only answer.
Ten may get a price reduction, twenty would be better, and fifty, well with fifty it's a movement! (You can get anything you want at.................. ;)).
Fill a container with your own goods and it is cheaper and simpler.
Need to figure out U.S. Customs Duty too.
Also which port, some are less expensive while others are more centrally located.
Many of the English clubs are well enough organized to actually commission their own manufacture of otherwise unobtanium spares.
Often that just means a large enough buy to get the original manufacturer to dust off the old tooling.
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The usual suspects on this side of the pond might be encouraged to stock up since they would have experience and a windshield purchase might augment a larger purchase to fit a container.
When you could buy them retail from Pilkington, it didn't make sense for a retailer to stock them but the situation might have changed enough that it makes sense for a retail supplier to stock them.
Since you have some experience in this area Richard48Y, does that make sense?
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Realistically I need 4 windshields so that's a start... Might be helpful to get a running tally of everyone who needs to buy one (or a spare) and we can go from there.
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The usual suspects on this side of the pond might be encouraged to stock up since they would have experience and a windshield purchase might augment a larger purchase to fit a container.
When you could buy them retail from Pilkington, it didn't make sense for a retailer to stock them but the situation might have changed enough that it makes sense for a retail supplier to stock them.
Since you have some experience in this area Richard48Y, does that make sense?
It does, but do we have a retailer large enough to carry the overstock overhead?
Buildings lease by the square foot, slow moving inventory is an ongoing expense.
I was not really kidding about a fifty piece buy, probably need to reach forty for 'immediate' use and ten for back-up stock.
My current windshield is good, but I have not removed and reinstalled it yet.
Even if I succeed in that I want a carefully packed spare.
LOTS of trucking in my area of this rocky high desert, and the Europa sits low. :headbanger:
Just checked, Moss does not carry any Lotus parts except by accidental interchange.
They have a presence in both the U.S. and U.K., maybe they could be persuaded to help?
Who else is potentially large enough to do this?
Victoria British? They do Sunbeam parts and that's almost as orphan as Europa's. ;)
I do not see a Poll option for this site but we should be able to make a tally of committed buyers.
We will want an escrow to hold funds, and a firm commitment for delivery date from the chosen supplier.
I'm in for One, prefer a light tint.
To tint or not becomes another question and I am sure it cost a bit extra.
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As my windshield has a slight delamination in the top right corner and the windshield gasket is on its last legs I would like to acquire a replacement.
Sandy
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I’m in for one. Mine has a crack right down the middle :help:
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So, 8 and counting if I've read the thread correctly.
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Here is the pricing I received with all specs. Quote said pricing is valid for 3 months
Eurocode
Description
Price
9135ABLBL - Blue with a blue top tint
LOTUS EUROPA 68-75
£ 448.22
9135ABZBZ - Bronze with a bronze top tint
LOTUS EUROPA 68-75
£ 448.22
9135ACL - Clear
LOTUS EUROPA 68-75
£ 513.50
9135ACLBL - Clear with a blue to tint
LOTUS EUROPA 68-75
£ 507.00
9135ACLGN - Clear with a green top tint
LOTUS EUROPA 68-75
£ 508.30
9135ACLH - Clear and heated
LOTUS EUROPA 68-75
£ 558.43
9135AGN - Green
LOTUS EUROPA 68-75
£ 521.30
9135AGNBL - Green with a blue top tint
LOTUS EUROPA 68-75
£ 529.28
9135AGNGN - Green with a green top tint
LOTUS EUROPA 68-75
£ 526.50
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I recall reading here that there is a difference between S1 windshields and S2/TCS. Can anyone verify?? Calling JB! 2 of mine need to be for 67 model.
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They're pretty dear compared to Plinkington, but that's quite a selection! You can get heated windshields!!! Somehow, I don't think they'll take off. ;D
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I didn't know there were so many shades of tint.......
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I recall reading here that there is a difference between S1 windshields and S2/TCS. Can anyone verify?? Calling JB! 2 of mine need to be for 67 model.
There is no difference between S1 and S2/TC windshields if they are original size. The problem was Pro Source sold a Chinese version that was about 1/2" narrower than original. That did not fit the gasket of S1/early S2, but would still fit the bonded opening on later S2/TC. As long as the windshield quotes you're getting are Pilkington original size and not from Asia you should be OK.
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I recall reading here that there is a difference between S1 windshields and S2/TCS. Can anyone verify?? Calling JB! 2 of mine need to be for 67 model.
There is no difference between S1 and S2/TC windshields if they are original size. The problem was Pro Source sold a Chinese version that was about 1/2" narrower than original. That did not fit the gasket of S1/early S2, but would still fit the bonded opening on later S2/TC. As long as the windshield quotes you're getting are Pilkington original size and not from Asia you should be OK.
Thanks for clearing that up Swift.
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Does one installation have an advantage over the other (glued in vs. gasket)?
Can you do either one on a TC or just glued in?
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If you have a TC, it uses a glued in system. Having never installed a windshield before, I had mine done by a “pro”. I called dozens of shops and he was the only guy who would do it and he swore he would never do it again.I don’t know why, it didn’t look that hard or different from an installation on a modern car. Lots of people have installed their own windshield so for my next windshield (if I can get one), I’ll probably do it myself.
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Hmm, heated would be great for those of us who wish to drive on frosty mornings.
How effective is the Europa defogger anyway?
Any break for a quantity buy
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Picked up my windshield today, looks like all they had left was clear.
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Do those prices include shipping?
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I have a new Plinkington clear wind shield if anyone interested. Posted in for sale too.
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I'm interested, sent you a pm.
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I deal with Ricky at heated windscreen a fair amount, he is local to us & I can give him my screen & price it to be made in the UK not China, heated, tinted or std clear