by Brian White
“There’s a problem”, words you never want to hear from someone who is working on your antique car. But, that’s what Tim my upholster guy said. He had just tried to install the first piece of glass in the window track after putting the new felt on the old track. Can you believe no one makes window tracks for a 1915 Pierce Arrow Limousine? Ok I asked is the felt too thick? I had new safety glass cut because I would not put the old plate glass back in the car, that was too dangerous. Tim said no the glass is too thick. I looked at the receipt and it said 3/16” and it measures 1/4”. I thought it was just an honest mistake. They will fix the problem. How naive could I be?
Well, according to the glass company, they ordered 3/16” but it measured 1/4”. That’s what they call it, it’s like a 2 X 4 is not 2” X 4”. That was his explanation.
They refused to do anything about it. I visited three other shops and according to the other shops no one makes 3/16” laminated safety glass any more. My question to the first shop was after paying them over $700, what were they going to do? Their solution was to bevel the edge of the glass. When that didn’t work they suggested to cut, finish 3/16” plate glass and have it tempered at there cost of $1600. I called around (literally ever auto glass company in the phone book) and yes the internet also. I found a guy in my town that talked a good story …. but, the performance left a lot to be desired. I took him my old glass as well as a set of temples I made on a Thursday and he shut down for a weeks vacation on Monday never bothering telling me. So another week was lost and a lot of wondering if he went out of business with my glass and templates.
Meanwhile Tim is working on the seats, landau top, kick panels and anything else he can without the glass. Eight weeks after the first glass didn’t work I finally had glass in the car.
The windshield was 1/4” plate glass so it was no problem. I had 1/4” safety glass to replace the plate glass. Except for….. the glass guy scratched my frame while installing the glass.
Looking back I really enjoyed restoring the Bearcat. I didn’t have a single problem with glass companies or glass guys. Solution, stick with Stutz, “The That Made Good in a Day” enough said!
