I am going to cop my top on my 31 sedan. Now i have heard in Pa you have to atlest have 7" viewing hieght in the lowest spot in your windshield.(center) Now is this true, what are the regulations? I will be getn a street rod title for it.
Well i was tryn to do some ruff measuring. I wana do a 5" chop. The windshield frame width is 1.5 on bottom and 1.25 on top(or somthn like that, cant remember. So if i take 5" out of it, the windshield viewing area will be around 6.5 or 6.75?(ruffly) Mayb my measurments are off? (it was kind fast and dark out) But i will take 6" out of the top if im able. Do you know what the regulation is, if their is one? Thanx
I'm having trouble finding the actual specs. Here's a link to PA info: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/forms/vehicleTitlingForms.shtml There is a Street Rod Vehicle fact sheet (PDF). It says you need MV-426B, the reconstructed vehicles form, and it needs to be completed by an "enhanced vehicle safety inspector" at an "enhanced vehicle safety inspection station". I can't find the form that tells you about fenders, bumpers, etc.
That's no rumor. Very true... My '34 is chopped 5 inches and the windshield was 6 and 5/8" in the center where it's curved up. When I took it to get inspected, it failed... I had to get a new windshield cut and rework my frame to pass. It sucked... Check the PA code section of the Penndot website for the list of requirements for street rods.
Found the addendum about fenders, bumpers, hood, etc: http://www.dot3.state.pa.us/pdotforms/inspections/Safety_Bulletin_BI05-1.pdf But still haven't found a list of specific safety specs for street rods.
I always heard the winshield had to have 7 inches of verticle glass. It does not say the 7 inches is the smallest part. As long as any part is 7 inches you are good. The problem is anybody can interpret the law differently. Cops, inspection stations and lawmakers. Ask 10 different people and you'll get at leats 4 or 5 different answers. Clark
So i was about right then if i go with a 5" chop, center of windshield will be a little shy of 7". So in PA that wount fly. Damn it! I guess i will have to do a 4.5" chop. Unless someone got some secrets to make it legit just for inspection? I also had look under pen dot web site and i also couldnt find the actual specs for a street rod
I understand it is to be measured vertically, not the size of the glass. If the windshield slopes the glass could measure 7" but the vertical measurement could be only 6 1/2". When I chopped my Plymouth, I made mine 7'' vertical so there wouldn’t be any dispute. There is enough BS to go through to get a street rod title without adding any more aggravation. Also be sure all your receipts show sales tax, I submitted one that didn't and it took about a month extra to get it straightened out.
Back in the 50's you needed 9" windowshield, when I chopped my A 3" I only had 8 1/2", so I cut the hinge off the top of the frame, didn't plan on opening anyway. New frame and glass tho.
Not that it matters but what's the big deal? If that's the law, do what it says. If you don't like it, move to freakin' New Jersey. Just don't whine about your state being down on you, or your car, or your wanatabe lifestyle goin' down the road.
The Pa. Inspection Procedure states: 175.220 Section 2: Check the windshield and reject if one or more of the following apply. (i) A windshield is less then 7 inches in vertical height on street rod. That is for street rods only all other is 12 inches in vertical hieght.
The law is not unreasonable, a 4" chop on a Model A is about perfect, if you go much lower they look like they were run over by a big truck. Having less than a 7" windshield is probably unsafe for both you and the people in the other lane. This is a good state to have old cars , live with the rules.
Hey thanx Guys! Yeah i have no problem with the regulations, i just wana make sure b4 i start cutn ya know! I planed on 5" but 4" will be just fine. Thanx again
In July 2006 issue of Streetrod Builder there is a black Model A that they removed the frame and flush mounted the windshield using standard window rubbers. I believe it added some extra height (maybe an inch) to the windshield. With window rubbers it looks similar to a black painted windshield frame.
I agree.. I really like a 3 inch and it can be done in an evening.. Anything over 3 then you start having to reshape things. at 3 you can just pretty much cut and reweld.. Dave
The header above the windshield can be made smaller. I did this on the 29 I just finished up. The car was chopped 3 1/2 inches but the windshield was only chopped 1 1/2. Clark
I just wanted to let you know that there is an enhanced Pa inspection station here in Pottstown about 35 miles west of Philly. The name of the place is Blast from the Past Street Rods. They do both regular and enhanced Pa inspections. They deal with a lot of Customs so they are dead on with knowing the regulations. The owners name is Bill, his son Dave is the shop mgr. They both know their stuff. Their ph number is 610-327-4366. Or you can email them at blastpaststreetrods@gmail.com Tell them Fryguy told you to call. Fryguy