Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Dilkris on Thursday,March 18, 2021, 04:51:01 AM
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I note that discussions prevail concerning the windscreen trim as per the original profile. Now, (in the UK anyway), both trim and corner pieces are readily available but whilst the corner pieces appear to be as per original profile the trim most certainly is different. Has anybody fitted this new "arrangement" and if so could you please post some pictures of how it looks once installed?
I will need both a screen, (Pilkington's), trim and corner pieces for my rebuild (TCS) and whilst at the moment it is not on the list of priorities to source, (I am still on the rolling chassis part) - I am beginning to wonder whether it should be... :'( :'(
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This is just my opinion, but I never liked the original windscreen trim. It protrudes too far from the bodywork and windscreen and looks like it will disrupt airflow over the car. With modern adhesives, the trim is just decoration and a way to keep crud out of the gap between windscreen and body. Any windscreen installer should have plenty of other options for trim that will do the job and blend in better.
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Interesting thought, are you suggesting the windscreen could be bonded directly to the body apeture then just trimmed round after?
I'm dreading doing mine and don't particularly want the chrome coloured trim.
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I saw an S2 that had a flat black rubber moulding almost flush with the glass and bodywork. About 3/4" wide. Looked great. Here's a supplier:
https://www.gggcorp.com/Universal_Mouldings.html
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Yes, if you have a bonded windscreen I think it could be bonded in first then trimmed afterwards. Best to consult a real windscreen installer though, just in case I'm talking nonsense (it wouldn't be the first time). I found a couple of examples of Europas with less obtrusive windscreen trim on BAT -
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-lotus-europa-twin-cam-10/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-lotus-europa-6/
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I saw an S2 that had a flat black rubber moulding almost flush with the glass and bodywork. About 3/4" wide. Looked great. Here's a supplier:
https://www.gggcorp.com/Universal_Mouldings.html
Is that the T-105B ?
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I'm not sure because I didn't measure it and am not certain of the profile underneath. I would think the 3/4" wide would be better than 5/8"
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I installed my new windscreen with factory like black adhesive. I thought that if the windscreen was glued in, it would not be able to move as the body flexes... thus crack... Any thoughts ?
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Just to be clear, did you use butyl sealant to stick the windscreen on to the body? I know this is what Lotus did originally, but I wouldn't be happy to do that on my car today.
When I removed the windscreen from my car I pulled the trim off and then a gentle push from the inside was all that was needed to remove it. Granted that was old sealant and a bit dried up around the edges, but much of that sealant was still sticky. Butyl is a great sealant and a lousy adhesive. The urethane adhesive they use today has a bit of flexibility to it, but it is also a strong adhesive. I believe the windscreen is intended to contribute to the stiffness of the body shell, so I wouldn't be worried about the screen cracking.
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The windshield is what “stiffens” the front of the roof panel.
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I did use butyl. It worked from 1973 thru 2019. That was proof enough to me that Colin knew what he was doing...