To windshield or not to windshield, that is the question |
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To windshield or not to windshield, that is the question |
elacore |
Apr 23 2011, 09:12 PM
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#1
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 1 Joined: 17-April 11 From: Connecticut Member No.: 12,945 Region Association: North East States |
Hello fellow 914'ers
I was wondering if I could get some input on weither or not I should keep my windshield. I bought a $1000 914 and am currently stripping it to be a "street legal weekend track car" As of now I have stripped EVERYTHING (most of it for sale) out of the car and am getting it ready for paint. My son thinks it is a great idea to take the roof/side windows and windshield off to "save weight", save money by selling them and it means less masking and painting when it comes time to do that. Personally I am worried that it wont be street legal (even though my son insists that if we put a "bubble" screen it will be. And that I dont want to be caught out in the rain (even though I wont be driving this much except to the track, at the track and back... and maybe on a nice sunny summer day) Any input? |
john rogers |
Apr 23 2011, 09:56 PM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,525 Joined: 4-March 03 From: Chula Vista CA Member No.: 391 |
As for legality, check with your DMV, don't believe anyones "opinions" about legality. As for dirt, rocks, road goop in the face, you'll get it and on the road it will be much worse than on a track.
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PeeGreen 914 |
Apr 23 2011, 10:29 PM
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#3
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Just when you think you're done...wait, there is more..lol Group: Members Posts: 10,219 Joined: 21-September 06 From: Seattle, WA... actually Everett Member No.: 6,884 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Please don't remove that stuff (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) . You can shed a great deal of weight in other places and still keep all the lines (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
You can always replace the glass with lexan. |
campbellcj |
Apr 24 2011, 11:14 AM
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#4
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I can't Re Member Group: Members Posts: 4,550 Joined: 26-December 02 From: Agoura, CA Member No.: 21 Region Association: Southern California |
I believe you'd get grief about a "Ginther" type windscreen from virtually any of the track sanctioning bodies. You would have to put in a full height cage which would look terrible, negating the sans-windshield 'look', as well as put some weight back up high anyway.
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whatabout1 |
Apr 24 2011, 05:28 PM
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#5
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Toys in Red Group: Members Posts: 403 Joined: 6-March 06 From: Charlotte, NC Member No.: 5,676 Region Association: None |
No windshield on the street will require goggles. At least it does for me on my sand rail.
In NC a windshield is not required but working windshield wipers (2) are. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) |
Nicky |
Apr 24 2011, 07:17 PM
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#6
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 24 Joined: 21-March 11 From: Pennsylvania Member No.: 12,845 Region Association: North East States |
I believe you'd get grief about a "Ginther" type windscreen from virtually any of the track sanctioning bodies. You would have to put in a full height cage which would look terrible, negating the sans-windshield 'look', as well as put some weight back up high anyway. With regards to non street/ track only cars, Are cars like these below grandfathered in or something? Or is there some kind of helmet scrub line used if the car were to end up upside down? I love the look of these cars, and wondered why some go with the high rollbars in the front. It seems rare that sprites, mgbs, triumphs, etc ever have a front high rollbar. But, maybe I'm just not noticing them. |
J P Stein |
Apr 24 2011, 07:34 PM
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#7
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Irrelevant old fart Group: Members Posts: 8,797 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Vancouver, WA Member No.: 45 Region Association: None |
The SCCA is quite specific about a cage/rollbar for actual racing like the Red car (which looks legal to me). The config is in the rule book.
I'm thinking that the windshield delete is pretty much for trailered cars. Bout 35 mph your unprotected eyes start watering. |
brant |
Apr 24 2011, 08:33 PM
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#8
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 11,641 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Colorado Member No.: 47 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
I believe the road race rule for SCCA was that the cars ALREADY LOG BOOKED without a windshield or upright cage were grandfathered.... but that new builds were not legal.
you definitely need to check: 1) the rules in your state DMV 2) the rules in any sanctioning body you want to run in there is a good chance that you won't be legal in one or the other of them. check first. its about 20lbs or so over lightened everything else (lexan, and thin roof) on the counter arguement... I've seen 944's shed front wheels on track. Its not fun to see a wheel come bouncing your way. I choose to leave something to stop my face from being the front line defense on track. I've seen other race cars put in full front cages and put in strips of metal infront of the driver (jail bars) to stop airborne track carnage from hitting their face. (it does happen) brant |
neilca |
Apr 25 2011, 04:23 AM
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#9
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Member Group: Members Posts: 98 Joined: 26-July 05 From: Marietta, GA Member No.: 4,474 |
For any street driving keep the windshield. My helmet has a n 1/8 tjhick visor for rock and wind loads.
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grantsfo |
Apr 26 2011, 04:52 PM
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#10
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Arrrrhhhh! Group: Members Posts: 4,327 Joined: 16-March 03 Member No.: 433 Region Association: None |
I do miss getting sprayed by race rubber on the track and its fun when big bugs hit your face shield at 100 MPH plus!
This post has been edited by grantsfo: Apr 26 2011, 04:53 PM |
zymurgist |
Apr 26 2011, 05:11 PM
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#11
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"Ace" Mechanic Group: Members Posts: 7,411 Joined: 9-June 05 From: Hagerstown, MD Member No.: 4,238 Region Association: None |
Having a clear barrier to keep things out of your eyes is a Good Thing.
Ask any biker who has taken a bug to the eye. |
damesandhotrods |
Apr 26 2011, 10:53 PM
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#12
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 568 Joined: 26-September 10 From: Santa Cruz California Member No.: 12,218 Region Association: Northern California |
It was back in California, during the 20th century so I don’t remember all of the details, but a friend of mine was pulled over for driving a Scout with the windshield folded down. There was a grandfather clause for the old Scouts, Jeeps and others that had folding windshields. But he still lost time at work going before a judge, and from then on kept a photo copy in the glove box because he knew if did it again he would be pulled over and go through the whole thing again.
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stugray |
Aug 4 2014, 02:34 PM
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#13
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,825 Joined: 17-September 09 From: Longmont, CO Member No.: 10,819 Region Association: None |
So as to not start a new thread on this subject:
What is the preferred thickness of Lexan for those of you putting in full windshield replacements? |
Seabird |
Aug 4 2014, 02:44 PM
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#14
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Member Group: Members Posts: 165 Joined: 21-November 13 From: United States Member No.: 16,683 Region Association: South East States |
So as to not start a new thread on this subject: What is the preferred thickness of Lexan for those of you putting in full windshield replacements? I dont know but I can check the thickness of the one that is in my car tonight when I get to the shop if you would like. M |
brant |
Aug 4 2014, 03:04 PM
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#15
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 11,641 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Colorado Member No.: 47 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
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Seabird |
Aug 5 2014, 08:26 AM
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#16
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Member Group: Members Posts: 165 Joined: 21-November 13 From: United States Member No.: 16,683 Region Association: South East States |
Mine measured out at .28" as best as I could measure it. It does not flex or appear inssuficient....then again I have never taken a hit with it. It is made a by a company named Shield something or other.
Hope that helps. M |
ChrisFoley |
Aug 5 2014, 09:03 AM
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#17
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I am Tangerine Racing Group: Members Posts: 7,937 Joined: 29-January 03 From: Bolton, CT Member No.: 209 Region Association: None |
Shields makes a good Lexan windshield. IIRC their standard thickness is 7mm.
I think SCCA allows down to 6mm. |
stownsen914 |
Aug 11 2014, 12:31 PM
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#18
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 916 Joined: 3-October 06 From: Ossining, NY Member No.: 6,985 Region Association: None |
I had a 3/16" Lexan windshield in my 914 racecar before I went with the low windscreen. It bowed visibly at speeds over 100 mph, even with the metal supports on the inside. I'd do 1/4" next time.
Scott |
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