New glass from Auto City Classic

[737driver]

I just finished installing new glass on my 79 TransAm. I used glass from Auto City Classic. They offer several options from original green tint and also with gray tint. The glass tint is part of the glass and isn’t a film. The glass fits really well, every bit as good as original. They sell individual pieces but I chose the whole set. My rear window was scratched in several places and I got a small crack in the windshield. A local installer fitted the front and rear glass and I did the side windows. The side windows went in real easy and I had the job done in about 3 hours including the glass alignment and replacing the weatherstripping.
The weather strip I used was the Latex version from the Parts Place. The latex weather strip is more expensive than Metro/ Soft Seal, but it is worth every penny. Fist off there are no weak splices and it is soft as the OEM. I never really like Metro or Soft Seal for the doors because they seem to stiff and in the past they have split were they are spliced.
I also had a set of window gauge blocks for the F body cars. It took me a few years to get a set, but now you can find them reproduced on eBay. If you are doing window installation and or replacement I highly recommend using a set. They get the window pretty much spot on. Otherwise it can be a lot of time adjusting the side windows.

Jim

[737driver]

More glass pics

[Wallington]

Looks good, great to hear. Did you have any dramas setting up the side glass with the blocks? Or just take your time and adjust until happy? How does it seal and run against the door seal and into roof line, all good? Does Auto City Classic glass come with any other markings to show where it is made or what other brands it is marketed under? For sake of our other glass post?

[b_hill_86]

Looks great! I need to replace my door glass along with the weatherstripping. Whatever brand I bought years ago just doesn’t fit right and is too stiff as you mentioned. I’ve never been able to put my windows up all the way without opening the doors.

[Updated71]

Nice! I recently replaced door glass too. I have the printed blocks but wasn’t able to use them due to not removing the weatherstripping at this time. It took about 2 days to just get it acceptable.

Good to know about the weatherstripping as well.

[roadking77]

Looks good Jim, good to hear the side windows worked out. I was hesitant to order a set after reading about all of the bad glass out there, but I will give them a try. I used Auto City Classic for my windshield as well. And can attest that it was a decent part. A bit thinner than the original but my glass guy said they are all like that now. My only beef is that it is now impossible to find a windshield without the antennae.

[rkellerjr]

That looks awesome!

[tinpusher]

My glass shows up tomorrow from the same supplier, hope mine looks as good as yours.

[stros]

Great to see you had the same experience with Auto City Classic as myself.   I think they’re the best glass option out there now.

Thanks for the info on the weatherstripping too. Mine is also too stiff.

[737driver]

Looks good, great to hear. Did you have any dramas setting up the side glass with the blocks? Or just take your time and adjust until happy? How does it seal and run against the door seal and into roof line, all good? Does Auto City Classic glass come with any other markings to show where it is made or what other brands it is marketed under? For sake of our other glass post?

The glass install went real smooth. The alignment blocks really do help. I removed the old weatherstrip and once the glass was mounted in the tracks, I made sure the fuzzy stops were loose as well as the tracks and the window stops. I bumped the window up using the power window switch. I did it slowly to position the glass into the blocks. Once it was seated into the blocks, I snugged it down. The window guides (fuzzies) were tighter as well but not the firm against the glass just touching up against the window.

After that I lowered the glass and installed the new weather strip. Once the weather strip was in place I brought the glass back up and slowly closed the door. Everything fit properly and it seated well. After I was happy I checked the window up and down and opened and closed the door a few times. Everything worked very good and I was real happy with the fitment. The door closed pretty well with the glass up, better than previously but with new weather strip it needed just a slight nudge to close. I believe this will improve once the seal gets worked in some more. It did however close better than the old weatherstrip.

The glass does have numbers info on it , and comes with a data sticker as well. I have used this glass before on my 72 Firebird and posted the data info on a previous glass installation thread.

Overall I was real happy with it.
Jim

[737driver]

Looks good Jim, good to hear the side windows worked out. I was hesitant to order a set after reading about all of the bad glass out there, but I will give them a try. I used Auto City Classic for my windshield as well. And can attest that it was a decent part. A bit thinner than the original but my glass guy said they are all like that now. My only beef is that it is now impossible to find a windshield without the antennae.

The side window glass fits very well, highly recommended!

[Wallington]

My only beef is that it is now impossible to find a windshield without the antennae.

Is it possible to add a second aerial cable and a junction connector, double the reception for dead spots? Or does it start picking up military frequencies and alien chatter?

I know the clowns with their jacked-up 4WD trucks have several 20' aerials flopping about, they wouldn't do it for looks, cos it looks sh...  I just figured their fav disco channel was normally out of reach when they go bush.

[roadking77]

TATA had an external power antennae, it did not have an internal windshield antennae. In restoring mine I have been striving for factory correctness, this will be one short coming as I could not find anyone that now produces the windshield without built in ant. Has nothing to do with reception, I dont even listen to the radio anymore!

[Wallington]

haha good point, was trying to look at the positives!

[tinpusher]

 Howdy all,
My side and back glass arrived yesterday and after a careful inspection , I noticed some issues. Below is what I sent to the seller and EBay:
The passenger side glass is damaged along the top leading edge. This piece was wrapped in a blue static tape, different from the other pieces that were properly wrapped and not damaged. There is also three other issues, the glass is a different thickness, color and it does not have a DOT number on it. The drivers side measures .25 inch and has a DOT number. The passenger side (damaged) measures .18 inch , NO DOT number and is a different shade of grey.

We’ll see what their solution is and I’ll post the results. Two different thickness and and  no DOT #…SMH.
The color difference is probably because of the thickness.

737Driver could you please measure the thickness of your passenger and drivers side glass for me as a reference, I would appreciate it, just in case I need the ammo.

[roadking77]

Tin pusher, did you order from auto city classics?

[737driver]

Howdy all,
My side and back glass arrived yesterday and after a careful inspection , I noticed some issues. Below is what I sent to the seller and EBay:
The passenger side glass is damaged along the top leading edge. This piece was wrapped in a blue static tape, different from the other pieces that were properly wrapped and not damaged. There is also three other issues, the glass is a different thickness, color and it does not have a DOT number on it. The drivers side measures .25 inch and has a DOT number. The passenger side (damaged) measures .18 inch , NO DOT number and is a different shade of grey.

When I installed the glass on my 72 Firebird I used Auto City glass as well. At that time I compared it to the original glass and it was pretty much identical in size and thickness. To be honest, the total fitment was excellent. From what I remember Auto City glass is shipped wrapped in thick brown paper and two layers of bubble wrap. I will take some new measurements this week and compare them again to the originals.
Jim
We’ll see what their solution is and I’ll post the results. Two different thickness and and  no DOT #…SMH.
The color difference is probably because of the thickness.

737Driver could you please measure the thickness of your passenger and drivers side glass for me as a reference, I would appreciate it, just in case I need the ammo.

[tinpusher]

I guess I didn’t mention that the glass came from Auto City classic on eBay..
I received a response from Auto City and they said that they would send a replacement for the damaged glass but it would be from the same supplier. I know the difference in the color is probably due to the thickness of the glass but I didn’t expect to get a unmatched set.

737Driver, I saw a copy of my post, but didn’t see your response. I was hoping to get a measurement from you on the thickness on both side glass.

[FormTA]

I would have them send you the other side too so you have a matches set.

[737driver]

I guess I didn’t mention that the glass came from Auto City classic on eBay..
I received a response from Auto City and they said that they would send a replacement for the damaged glass but it would be from the same supplier. I know the difference in the color is probably due to the thickness of the glass but I didn’t expect to get a unmatched set.

737Driver, I saw a copy of my post, but didn’t see your response. I was hoping to get a measurement from you on the thickness on both side glass.

I ,ensured the original glass and the Auto City glass thickness. They were both pretty much identical  .2385
Jim

[TATurbo]

Thanks for sharing the Glass block and weather strip info.  I installed Metro/Softseal weather strip in my TTA.  This is the fourth season with it and it has not held up well.  Seams at top front of door/t-top are uneven and poorly finished, and the other seams around the bend of the t-top are separating/tearing.  Meanwhile, the fitment at the corners is poor.   Although I finally got them water tight, it all needs to be replaced now 'cause it looks awful.

The car and new glass look fabulous!

[737driver]

Thanks for sharing the Glass block and weather strip info.  I installed Metro/Softseal weather strip in my TTA.  This is the fourth season with it and it has not held up well.  Seams at top front of door/t-top are uneven and poorly finished, and the other seams around the bend of the t-top are separating/tearing.  Meanwhile, the fitment at the corners is poor.   Although I finally got them water tight, it all needs to be replaced now 'cause it looks awful.

The car and new glass look fabulous!

I’ll be honest, I have never  had good results with Metro/ Softseal , twice in the past I had to replace it . I got the latex ones from the Parts Place and they are twice the cost. However, in my opinion they are worth it. Some have had better success with Metro/ Soft Seal I’m sure but not me.
Jim

[tinpusher]

Thanks 737 for the measurements.
Auto City glass did me right by replacing the the side glass with a matching set.
My glass guy came out Friday and installed the front (from his source) and the rear from auto city. He was pleasantly surprised on  the fit and finish and said that it is a nice quality piece.
The only recommendation I would make is to make sure when you order that you ask for a matching set.
I plan on installing the door glass in the next couple of weeks……working way to much.
I’m in the process of wet sanding my paint, please excuse the mess.