Era Windshield

[vegan2]

I need to replace the windshield on my ERA that was built in the 80's. I ordered a Porsche windshield, as listed on the original specs that I have, but the installer stated that that was the wrong windshield.

Does anyone know what the right windshield is?

I emailed the contact provided to me by Bob RE: parts, on another subject with no response, so I'm trying here first as no response is not a good thing.

[Jim Holden]

V:

To the best of my knowledge the slightly older technology still works at ERA: the telephone. remember those? The number is 860-224-0253 (I check it almost daily) and ask for Bryan.I guess I'm still of an age (and stage) where I prefer to actually speak with someone before I send off money to them.

Jim

PS: Do you need just the glass or the entire assembly?

[vegan2]

Originally posted by Jim Holden


V:
PS: Do you need just the glass or the entire assembly?

Thanks for the reply Jim - actually, I did call today - all I need is the glass - from ERA it's $350, plus $60 for the box to ship it (with $30.00 back if you return the box, plus shipping. Of course, the advise was to not try to install it yourself, so installation would be on top of the quoted material/shipping costs.

I'm thinking that the glass should not be so expensive, so what glass will fit that is available out there? It's a kit car, so the windshield has got to be from some other car, correct?

I'm just wondering about options, but it may end up costing a lot of money to replace a real small windshield.

[Bob Putnam]

It may be a kit car, but it uses original Cobra replacement parts. There may be cheaper windshields out there but we can't guarantee that they'll fit our frame - although they should.

Some Factory Five owners have used coated Lexan or Plexiglas to replace theirs, but it's not AS1 certified and illegal in most states.

[vegan2]

Originally posted by Bob Putnam


It may be a kit car, but it uses original Cobra replacement parts. There may be cheaper windshields out there but we can't guarantee that they'll fit our frame - although they should.

Thanks for the reply, Bob. Are you saying that the windshield is the same as an original Cobra, therefore there is no replacement windshield from another car? So, why is a Porsche windshield listed on the original specs for the car - a list of parts that was generated by ERA in 1984?

I'm a little bummed out as I was the one that broke the windshield - all I'm wanting to do now is get the right information prior to moving ahead. I just had the paint touched up on the Cobra and this is one of the last thingsthat I need to do to have it looking real good and only 19 years old.

By the way, who is Peter Portante? He was the guy that the former owner of my Cobra stayed with as the Cobra was being built in 1984.

[Bob Putnam]

vegan2,

We buy our windshields and frames as an assembly from England. I am not sure, but I think the windshields may be made in a third country. Every part is supposed to be interchangeable with an original car's but we haven't experimented. I can't vouch for other windshield suppliers - we've always used the same people.

I have absolutely no idea how the reference to Porsche came about. I have never seen a Porsche windshield that came close to the correct shape. We restored Porsches before we started making kits - that's about as close as it gets.

Peter Portante is simply a voice on the phone. He doesn't exist in corporeal form. You can tell that is true because his ethereal form can't push the keys on the computer keyboard. They just pass right through.

Although is does sometimes host customers in his house.

[vegan2]

Originally posted by Bob Putnam

Thanks for the response, Bob. The part about Peter must be some sort of inside insight, but it really doesn't matter.

By the way, I re-registered the Cobra is Arizona as a Historic Vehicle (25 years old+) and that is a whole different subject. It was an interesting process.

[Jim Holden]

Bob:

Don't you really mean that Peter doen't exist in "corpulent" form?

...ah come to think of it (in spite of his recent attempts at reducing his shadow) there are those who might suggest that he DOES exist in corpulent form.

Of course, not me!

J

[Bob Putnam]

I'm quite impressed. "El Corpulante" seems to be fading away rather nicely. I think I saw his belt buckle last week for the first time since 1998.

But I can now enjoy him drool and weep at the site of a piece of bread. (He's on the Atkins Diet.)

[Jim Holden]

Bob:

But the question is can HE see his belt buckle yet.

J

[vegan2]

Originally posted by Jim Holden

Bob:
Don't you really mean that Peter doen't exist in "corpulent" form?
...ah come to think of it (in spite of his recent attempts at reducing his shadow) there are those who might suggest that he DOES exist in corpulent form.
Of course, not me!
J

Jim: Now I'm curious, so, what's the deal with Peter - I suspect that he's retired and Bob's in charge?

[Jack21]

Porsche windshield doesn't make sense to me either. As Bob was saying, OEM Cobra windshields fit most replicas. They're still made in England, and I've purchased a goodly number of OEM Cobra parts from Wayne Roper at cobraspares.com in England.

You can buy the glass alone, or get glass installed in frame. Cost in British Pounds was L120, glass only, L360 glass and frame. Exchange rate has varied from 1.4 to 1.6 over the years. Multiply Pounds by conversion factor to get US Dollars.

Finishline carries a goodly supply of OEM Cobra parts as well, and you can understand their "English" over the phone a little better.

Don't count on these being totally interchangable, and replacing the glass in the frame isn't the cakewalk it appears to be. Take frame and glass to a windshield shop, and let them do it. Or, buy windshield and frame, but be prepared to re-install your wind wings, sun visors, and top hold downs.

[Jim Holden]

Veg:

Nope, Peter's just tired...

Actually, I've determined that no one is in charge. Everybody up there does their own thing and miraculously, every week or so, another ERA pops out the front door. Twenty years of watching and I still can't figure out how they do it.
Jim

[vegan2]

Originally posted by Jack21

Jack: Thanks for the input - it appears that securing a windshield from ERA is the route to go for the least amount of hassle.

v2

[vegan2]

Originally posted by Jim Holden
Veg:
Actually, I've determined that no one is in charge. Everybody up there does their own thing and miraculously, every week or so, another ERA pops out the front door. Twenty years of watching and I still can't figure out how they do it.
Jim

OK, just tired is how I feel sometimes.

I can see why you feel that no one is in charge, I called the other day, "Hello" was the initial response - I thought that I dailed the wrong number, but it was ERA. I was thinking that perhaps they build the cars in a barn in the middle of a field - it's surprising that the cars come out so well.

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Bob Putnam


I'm quite impressed. "El Corpulante" seems to be fading away rather nicely. I think I saw his belt buckle last week for the first time since 1998.

But I can now enjoy him drool and weep at the site of a piece of bread. (He's on the Atkins Diet.)

I will take responsibility for the new and improved slimmed down (well at least slimmed down ) Peter P. I was up there a few months ago, and he was going on about how good I looked and kept asking me how much weight I lost (At the time I just thought that was part of his sales technique ). I told him that I was on the Atkins diet and how easy it was to lose weight. If I had known he was serious, I wouldn't have given up the diet secret so easily.

Bob, if you really want to get him, parade a plate of penne ala vodka around. That's what I missed the most.

[Jim Holden]

Chap:

With the now obvious weight loss, has come "jowls". Peter is beginning to effect the look of an ol' basset hound and may have to resort to some minor cosmetic surgery to pick things up and tuck them back in place.

Jim