Technical 32 Ford windshield frames

I need to buy a repro windshield frame for a 32 five window. I know that Trautwein is supposed to be the best. And everything that UP has made for the 32 is right on target too. But has anyone here used a Mr. Roadster repro from Speedway? They are over $100 cheaper, and in stock. Yes I realize there may be a reason they are still in stock. That’s why I’m asking if anyone has used one before.

 

I have an aluminum Speedway frame on my '32 5W that I bought almost 50 years ago, fit like a glove, accepted the gasket perfectly and never a leak. Back when I was in a club a member's cousin was in a club in Galena, IL IIRC it was the Antique Town Rodders. That club was having an event that I did not attend but there was a side tour nearby in Iowa to Jay Ohrberg's Mr. Roadster facility where Ford w/s frames were manufactured on original Ford tooling.
I've often wondered if that tooling was sold to Speedway when they purchased Mr. Roadster from Jay.

 

Nothing to add, but following along

 

Bought one about 18 years ago for a closed car, had it chromed and the chrome guy didn’t drill holes between the hinge blocks and acid got trapped in there.
6 months later it started to bubble.
12 months on from there it was completely rusted out, no chrome left, and got thrown out.
Bought another the same. (both mr roadster - from speedway)
Took it to the correct chrome guy and 15 or so years later it still looks as good as when it was installed.

Looked at the cost for one two years ago for the other car and decided to go with a locally made aluminium extruded one which is polished, and about 1/3 of the price, - but that included shipping only 100km, not half way around the planet !

One last point,
the second one that I bought was too short for a stock height windshield, but as I was chopping it, it didn’t matter.
The first one was perfect in height, but I had to slightly re-curve it.

The aluminium one was perfect in every way, but the guy has done a few.

 

I bought a Speedway one and had to chop it to suit my body - fiberglass with a 3" chop but it's been in the car for over 12 years with no problems.
Also have a UP one which came with the body and wasn't real happy with it as there was some distortion on the face of the section on one corner. got it chromed and fitted and it looks OK. Out of the 2 I would say the Speedway was the better unit.

 

Alchemy, I am not a big fan of Speedway products. However, I ended up buying their Mr Roadster polished aluminum windshield frame for my Model A project a couple years ago. I have to say I was amazed at the quality of the frame. Of course it’s not their ‘32 frame, but just saying.

 

HotRodHoodlum normally has deuce windshields for sale in the parts section. Support a HAMB member.

 

I saw his Trautwien frames. They are over $100 more, and the boxes are flat so I don’t think the hinge mounts or the slider mounts are on them. Probably another $50 to buy those parts separately. Hence the reason I started this thread.

 

You know as well as anyone that nothing fits like the original, can you not find one or are they too expensive? HRP

 

I’ve been through six windshield frames in the last few years, and every one has rust problems. This one is for a full height coupe, so I can’t just cut the rusty spots out when it gets chopped. And, we want to chrome it.

 

When I needed one for my '32 Fordor I asked here about originals etc and was advised to buy a UP. I did and I'm happy I did.

Dave

 

I got the windshield frame for my current chopped tudor from Drake. It came with the hinge brackets and slide arm brackets. I have no idea who made it, it was in a generic no label box. Before that I got the windshield frame for my chopped 5 window coupe from UP, it also came with all the brackets but was not as nice as Drakes. I painted both of them.

 

Drake has none on their website at all.

Roadster Supply is out of stock (I think theirs were UP).

 

How about Speedway, they sell Mr. Roadster, I don't know about their quality now but they used to be real nice. HRP

 

https://www.vehiclesafetysupply.com...D3EJu7hQSSecoxJxyhLk3YddZ5IA&gad_source=1

This place has UP frames for a kinda reasonable price, supposedly in stock, but the site is fishy to me. They don’t sell just hot rod parts, and what do 32 parts have to do with Safety Supply?

 

That is basically what I asked in my intro post in this thread.

 

The last one I bought was more than 10 years ago and I can't vouch for their current quality. HRP

 

Something funny must be up with 32 closed cab windshields.
I had a UP one listed on here (and other sites) for over a year and as soon as you started this thread, I start getting contacted (and have a sale pending).
Did UP and Mr Roadster decide to stop making/supplying and we are down to speedway for these things?

 

they have a phone number so at least you can call them……..

 

I have never bought a 32 frame, but I have bought a gaggle of 34 frames from all the same people you are talking about. The Drake frames come from Trautwein. They were a bit scarce after the dad passed away, but the son runs the business now and they are mostly available and super good quality. I think HotRod Hoodlum frames are Trautwein, you can PM him to verify. The one I got from him was perfect and came with the brackets if I remember correctly. I also bought a Speedway Vintique when Trautwein was out of stock and it was also very good quality. I don't have any experience with the UP units. Also, any original you find will be rotten on the bottom, it is just a question of how rotten.

Of course, once you have a frame, you have to send it to the chrome shop and that is a whole 'nuther deal.

Good luck, -Abone.

 

Funny thing, this last one is rather solid on the bottom, but has holes in the top.

 

Maybe the body laid upside down?

Dave

 

I was at Tom's last month helping another member out with some questions he had. Tom supplies a lot of companies with his frames and gutters. When there he told me he had a huge order for Snyder's going out that had kept him busy over the holidays. It looked like there were close to 100 pieces on the rack waiting to be shipped.
He keeps very busy and does make a quality unit.

 

Who’s Tom?

 

<<< I had an original '32 Tudor windshield frame chromed for this car, and it rusted out in a few years... I had another one powder coated, but it looks like brushed aluminum, so I never put it in.

Does anyone make them in Stainless Steel?

 

I also thought the S.S. would be the best option, obviously some hurdles in the manufacturing process & a bump in the cost but certainly a lasting structure & if avail as raw or polished worth the price, paint it or polish yourself saving the plating cost & the risk of internal acid corrosion.

 

Tom Troutwein

 

Tom Bay maybe ?

 

Got it !

 

Where are you going to get it chromed? I have one that I need plated. Advanced quoted me $2500.