Spontaneous window explosion

I was thinkin the same thing!

 

Interesting thread. I wonder what happens to a 50 year old tempered window that has been exposed to the weather for so long from a material standpoint. But then, it really surprised me to hear you guys talking about new cars doing this.

And regarding the mower comment... My buddy slung a rock over 200 feet and through the side window of his neighbors car without realizing it (Dixie Chopper). The neighbor was understanding and, thankfully, the kids weren't playing in the yard at the time.

 

Back in the early 70`s in Fl where I grew up,a friend had a glass shop.In one week he did 5 rear glass replacements because of the extreme heat that we having at the time.No particular year or model of car/truck either.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Ive been thinking bout this.. the weirdest thing is the car was out in the 100* heat everyday untill we put up my shade canopy.. It was the next morning bout 11am when it happened.. The windows in the car were down and the canopy was over the car except for one spot where the sun was shinning thru the frame of the canopy and the mesh. That seems to be the spot where the center of the burst was.. So I'm guessing because the rest of the window was in the shade that the sun had heated up and weakend one spot of the window to where it would burst.. Rather than letting the whole window heat up evenly....

 

I'd be on the floor hoping they only had one bullet...

 

Ive seen crows drop golf balls and break windows

 

Bingo....

 

As you've found out from yours and other comments here, it happens. Had a side window in a van shatter while camped in the Florida Keys one hot day. Now I leave at least one window down a small amount when parked. Helps to have those vent shades to prevent rain from entering. On the older cars I open a dash or cowl vent.
Since in your case the windows were open I'd be thinking something was tossed or dropped on the window. Kids or Aliens ?

 

Yeah I'm glad it happened while the owner was right there or I'd be trying to explain how I didn't break his window...

 

had it happen with a 59 olds setting outside one summer day back in 69

 

One time I had a glass of Jim Beam and Coke break in my hand when I picked it up off the bar.

Glass can do funny things.

That was the ghost of James Beauregard Beam, expressing his displeasure at your defiling his fine whiskey with Coca Cola!

 

It seems to happen more in the hot weather but can happen at any temperature. Last year my sister's brand new Suburban popped the sunroof while they were on a trip, mild 70 degree day. I had a door glass on my 68 Torino pop once in cold weather but it was a door slam deal.

 

Had this happen on the rear door window on my sedan delivery while parked indoors on a mild day.

 

Yeah, I'd be betting on the differential expansion from the part of the window being in-sun vs in-shade to have just been too much.
Shame.

 

Christine !