Classics just have to work. They like that. This way you can pick up your Moto Guzzi Falcone with your van in the event of a breakdown. And to reward that Duck, he got some new sheet metal. The front window part had become too crispy.
Fortunately, a fresh piece of sheet metal was included with the purchase - 15 years ago. And a family member of an acquaintance of a friend wanted to take care of the grinding and welding work. And he would also transfer the windshield immediately.
FAIL!
The sheet metal worker turned out to be specialized in old USA pickups. And welding that Real American Steel is a different sport than the targeted melting of thin French sheet metal. It made him nervous! The welding work was therefore nothing more than mediocre. And using a 1CV windshield is certainly too ambitious for XNUMX USA Car Specialist.
Well, the stuff was there. But when using the wonderfully flat windshield, the genius got stuck. The new window rubber was torn after more than an hour of mud and the window was crooked. During the first rain shower, the window also appeared to be leaking heavily.
Friend and fellow villager Theo has largely left the car damage repair business since the invention of leasing companies. There was – and is – no more money for a car repairer to earn a living. Restoring and spraying classic motorcycles is more fun and more profitable. But different rules apply among friends.
When the diamond drama came up, Theo shook his head. “Come over with that thing. We will have that window in within fifteen minutes.” Taking out the old window, cleaning it and putting in the new tendon and fresh window took indeed the full fifteen minutes with only the tendon puller cord as a tool and without having to spill handfuls of Vaseline.
On the way home it rained heavily, but the only water that came in came through the windshield wiper shafts. And that problem is being worked on.
The wise lesson of this story: If you have something done to your classic car, have it done by a professional. Welding requires craftsmanship when you want more than just welding. When installing a window, the correct tools are sufficient: a cord with two handles. Then you don't need a sharp screwdriver to make the window rubber fit nicely. The story that when you put windows you have to be covered in Vaseline at least up to your wrists? Nonsense!
It may also be useful to take some time between removing the old window and installing the new window. Then you can de-rust the rebate and re-coat it with primer and paint so that rusting again is at least postponed. another precious story.
Hi, and yes indeed, two Grolsch swing-top bottles. Remove the red rubber rings at the top of the bottle and slide them onto your windshield wiper shafts. Put the wipers back on and you're done. Dry for 5 years. And 2 beers that absolutely have to be consumed. 🤪
Windows with rubber, I replaced dozens of them together with my father at the time when many Ducks, Dyanes, GSAs and Visas were still driving.
And vb. the leakage along the windshield wiper shafts, the rubbers of a Grolsch swing-top bottle seem to be a nice solution for that 🙂
That's right, being a professional always pays off.
And I have put enough windows in my life.
Only the mini (old, not those modern ones) always required some attention.