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Updated Rear Window donor possibility FYI

ydeardorff

New member
I have been searching for many things for this car since before I acquired my sterling. Enlarging the rear window has been one of those things. It may not result in much fruit due to the shape of the rear deck, but it also might.
After a lot of digging, and running around with a tape measure I have found 1 potential donor for a larger rear window that is almost perfect in size and shape to the rear section of the car where the rear window is mounted.
So this is just an FYI if anyone else is interested in this idea.

I measured out the area available on my car and found I had to find a trapezoidally shaped piece of glass measuring 33 across the top, 30 across the bottom, and no more than 10 to 10.5 inches tall.

I finally found that the 2008 smart for-two cabriolet has a rear window with the following measurements.
Top measures 31", Bottom 32",Hight 9 1/4", across at the middle 32 3/4".

This glass is slightly curved, yet Im hoping it will work with a fair bit of fiberglass work. I would have to place the glass inside out to look right. Also if equipped, it may come with the defroster grid which can be scraped off using a razor.
Though I love the countach, its letterbox rear window which the sterling shares is almost pointless. Opening up the rear window should make the cabin feel larger, and may help albeit marginally increase visibility.

The part number from the mercedes dealer is 4517700073 price is $356.99. Im on the hunt now for a wrecker where I can acquire that window at a salvage price.
 

ydeardorff

New member
Why not flatten the glass or use polycarb'

Flattening tempered automotive glass is not to my knowledge possible without breakage.
Cutting glass is a possibility. I have been looking at the tinted rear windows of full size chevy trucks as an option as well. Depends on the final price/look ratio which to me is the most important. The look must be correct, and Im willing to pay more and go slower to get it, and get it done right.

Polycarb is a cheap quick fix, but not a quality, nor long term solution. Like my last kit car, the windows were poly, and had not only oxidized, but due to vibration, had crazed to the point you couldnt see through them. So for me its not an option. I wish it was.
 

ydeardorff

New member
Now that would e slick! And it would significantly reduce the restrictions for the opening since the window would e mounted within the body.

Thanks again Brett!
 

Peter

Active member
Reshaping tempered and laminated glass is done by heating the glass and applying pressure or sand bags to re-form it, it is a standard process on fitting new screens on the Nova and SS to get the Pilkingtons screens to comply with variations on frame shape.
I'm not sure about the Cimbria but the SS has the rear window mounted directly into the rear of the body with a two part rubber seal and locking strip and as such is a bit larger.
 

ydeardorff

New member
Oh. never heard of it.
Reshaping tempered glass or polycarbonate (thermo-setting plastics) couldn't even be done by the US Military while I was in, once it was shaped.
That's cool if someone has figured out how without it cracking.
Must be a long process for cool down to avoid temperature differentials. Especially hard to do I suspect on laminates.
 
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