32 ford roadster windshields, which one??

I see windshields ranging from $269.00 to about $500.00, frankly they all look the same in quality. The $269 one says its heavy duty and it's chopped 2 inches. any opinions??


Thanks.

Pete-

 

"Heavy Duty"? That scares me, that's the tag-line they attach to everything made in China, what's it made out of, angle iron?

Merry Christmas Pete, ~~~Scott

 

I bought one of the $299 ones, and the quality is #1...FWIW...

 

One word " TRAUTWEIN " made !

 

How about a Rodwell??

 

Anything but Duvall.

 

Or a SoCal. Just butt-ugly imho.

 

I've used two Vintique '32 windshield frames and they are good quality. Got them from CW Moss. I bought the stock height and chopped them in the shop. Chroming was about the same cost as the frames. I had them done at Vern's. Turned out nice.

 

I am curious what it cost to chrome them and how long ago. I want to purchase an unplated frame, and do the mods that I need to, and have it plated.

Thanks for this thread Pete... there are alot of options really when it comes to anything 32, and windshield frames are no exception.

 

Vern's is expensive but they do great work. The owner, Bob Barnes, is an old member of the L A Roadsters, and knows what hot rodders expect. As I recall it was $300. for the plating. I had another LA shop do a frame many years ago, $175. and had to have it redone twice because of pits that weren't covered with the copper coat. So actually Vern's was cheaper because they did it right the first time.

 

Pete, I think they are all the same except the one from N.Y. which is of better quaility...I used the less expensive one and chopped it 4 1/2 inches..

 

I just e-mailed the guy and told me they are made by Wysco, anybody ever hear of those? shit for $269......

Pete-

 

Is that the car in your avatar? Any more pics, thats a fantastic looking roadster!

 

To my knowledge there are only two manufacturers. Trautwein and Speedway (Mr Roadster brand). We have found Trautwein's to be consistantly a bit higher quality and carry them in our store.

Dont just consider "price" look at cost including shipping. Also is the store able to provide techinical assistance?

Both manufacturers use a tubing cross section that is a little different than the original Ford though this should not matter for a hot rod.

At one time there was an extruded aluminum frame made by J Bolton (NOS Engineering) which had the correct to original cross section. These frames did have issues with the chrome plating sticking to the aluminum.

 

I have a home chopped Speedway one on my ginnie car. I tried one from Brookville but it was too narrow at the bottom and too wide at the top. Get carefull measurements from the mfgr before you commit if possible. I had another one also. I think it was by Trautwein that was screwed up in that the rounded corners were on the outside instead of the inside. It went back too.

 

Don't know who made it, but my $299er fit like a glove...just the right amount of space for the gasket, and the frame/stanchions/body fit were great. By the way, it said "Made in Taiwan". Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn ONCE in a while...

 

Thanks, Yes that is the less expensive stock frame chopped 4 1/2 inches.. Don't have any pictures except the ones on my profile, album page..

 

DF Metalworks made in U.S.A. - see my signature for explanation.

http://www.hotrodproducts.com/WindshieldKits.htm

 

Does anybody have an original that they can measure??? Id like to know what the difference is.

Thanks guys.

Merry Christmas.

Pete-

 

I have an original but it is chopped 3 in. It fit the car fine. I will measure it for you if it would help.

 

Im building a Brookville roadster and are also looking for a windshield and sometimes it says only for fibrecars.
Is there diffrence between steel and fibre in the messurements
(sorry for my lousy spelling im from Sweden)

 

HANKY - Your English spelling is better than my Swedish spelling...

 

I'm trying not to highjack here, but has anyone seen or had experience with the Mr. Roadster windshields? The price is as good as you will find. I've been looking at swap meets for years for my '29 and had no luck, so now I'm going for a new one.
The Mr. Roadster parts are cheap enough to really take a chance on, as long as they aren't junk.

 

Pete go see Chicky in norton,he might have them in stock,thats where mine came from.Oh ya,I think mine came from Vintige,or how ever you spell it.

 

Guys...listen to Karl. He knows. 2, that's TWO, manufacturers. Trautwien and Mr. Roadster. Period. Lotsa re-dellers but 2 makers.

 

Which one is made in Taiwan?...

 

Andy, those measurements would be great.

Pete-

 

I measured a 32 roadster windshield frame......44" across the top and 42" across the bottom, can anybody confirm this for me...

Thanks.

Pete-