As the car is getting to this age in life, aftermarket replacement parts like windscreens are getting harder to obtain, something that was highlighted by Japspeed recently announcing that they are no longer producing stuff for the Z32 - that personally doesn't bother me, but I have heard along the grapevine that folks have been trying to get replacement screens and have been told that there are none in the country and that availability is now nil.

 

As my car is in for repaint, I am having the screen taken out and replaced which kinda put me on edge a little, so I've done a bit of digging around.

 

True, Z32 windscreens in any tint spec are not available at the moment - there are none in stock in the UK and there are no plans to bring it back in as a mass produced stocked item part. These screens are all made by PilkingtonK Automotive glass.

 

The windscreens are however still able to be obtained as a 'special order'. PilkingtonK do keep all the molds of windscreens produced by most mainstream manufacturers for the past 30 years or so. Having also heard from a number of sources that having a screen specially made could cost around £700, I decided to order one through National Windscreens (who have always been my preferred glass fitter) just to see what happens. I have this morning had confirmation of an order for £185 fitted, however lead time is around 8 weeks. Until I get confirmation of delivery date, I'm not holding my hopes of them being able to maintain that price, but we'll see what happens!

 

So, just a heads up, if you need a replacement screen, be prepared to wait and be prepared to possibly pay more than you were ever used to!

For information with regard my request to getting Pilkington to do something for us, i have heard back and the question they asked was the door glass flat.

 

I answered of course in the negative, i went on to mention this was not just me with blue glass desires and they could have my spare SWB bronze door glass to copy, much more to come i hope.

For information with regard my request to getting Pilkington to do something for us, i have heard back and the question they asked was the door glass flat.

 

I answered of course in the negative, i went on to mention this was not just me with blue glass desires and they could have my spare SWB bronze door glass to copy, much more to come i hope.

 

Who did you speak to at pilks Andy.....i used to work there

I also managed to make contact with Pilkinton Clasics today.

Karen asked me to forward my date of registration, as they have two sets of tooling due to design changes.

Hope to hear more early next week.

I also managed to make contact with Pilkinton Clasics today.

Karen asked me to forward my date of registration, as they have two sets of tooling due to design changes.

 

It's Karen Ward isn't it, sounds like you've got just that bit further on than me !!

 

She might be smelling a rat............two 300ZX inquiries in a matter of days :laugh:.

Si, I called my insurance company last week, they use National Windscreens. mobilewindscreens.co.uk fitted it, they had the screen in three days and fitted it the next. Blue glass, blue tint.

Si, I called my insurance company last week, they use National Windscreens. mobilewindscreens.co.uk fitted it, they had the screen in three days and fitted it the next. Blue glass, blue tint.

 

What did they replace regarding windscreen trim.

Si, I called my insurance company last week, they use National Windscreens. mobilewindscreens.co.uk fitted it, they had the screen in three days and fitted it the next. Blue glass, blue tint.

 

Really? Maybe they've made a batch of them. I need to phone my local branch tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up!

What did they replace regarding windscreen trim.

 

Unsure at present as it was done while I'm away at work. They did mention having to get hold of some trims and clips. I'll let you know when I get back which is looking to be next week now.

 

Really? Maybe they've made a batch of them. I need to phone my local branch tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up!

 

Bristol branch dealt with mine 0117 304 2020

I had mine fitted by them last week only took two days (blue glass)

Received a quote from Pilkington's today, sounds promising.

I will ask Karen to forward photographs if possible, particularly of the tinted visor area...

 

Hi Dave,

 

Unfortunately we only have tooling for the front screen and cannot produce the rear or side glass for you.

 

Prices for a blue tinted version with a blue top tint is £228.33 exc. VAT and carries an 8 week lead time.

 

UK Mainland delivery is £25 inc. VAT and payment is required prior to dispatch from our warehouse.

 

With kind regards,

 

Karen

Unfortunately we only have tooling for the front screen and cannot produce the rear or side glass for you.

 

I haven't heard back from her in over a week, so earlier tonight i gave her a nudge, saying i am deadly serious about the door blue glass for mine.

 

I have already offered her my 'old' door bronze glass, they must get the tooling from somewhere from which they make a copy from is my guess.

 

I have already offered her my 'old' door bronze glass, they must get the tooling from somewhere from which they make a copy from is my guess.

 

Maybe if the level of interest was sufficient, we may be able to generate enough enthusiasm on thier side.

I will try and subtly find out Karen's status within the company, after all, it may all depend on how much she wants to help.

I haven't heard back from her in over a week, so earlier tonight i gave her a nudge, saying i am deadly serious about the door blue glass for mine.

 

I have already offered her my 'old' door bronze glass, they must get the tooling from somewhere from which they make a copy from is my guess.

 

The windscreen manufacturing is all done in Italy, they will have a "form frame" that they drape the hot glass over to form the screen. Sound like as Karen says they only have a form for the front screen.

They would have to manufacture forms for rear screen and side glass, that would be costly as they would have to 3d scan an existing one than have forms machined. I used to support the Windscreen division at Lathom when I worked there so have seen how they do the whole process. They have an R&D facility at Lathom but only for prototyping, everything else is done in Italy.

Ian is there a video showing the process you saw? It would be interesting to see how it is done.

BooHoo :thumbdown:.

 

'Hi Andy,

 

Apologies for the late response.

 

Unfortunately we would not be able to reproduce the side door glass.

 

We appreciate your offer to lend us the glass to make a mould but unfortunately the decision has been made only this week to close the manufacturing plant at Queenborough and so we are not in a position to undertake any new tooling projects.

 

With kind regards

 

Karen'.

The closure reported in the local press:

 

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/news/pilkington-jobs-to-go-122999/

 

Going forwards, article states:

 

"The company will continue to provide a full range of its Classics range and will transfer production to other plants,

mainly in Finland, to meet demand for more specialised products."

Edited March 31, 20178 yr by AndrewG

For anyone interested in front screen items, here are National Windscreens product codes for a blue screen with blue tint, top trim and trim clips.

 

Andy, any idea if there are other glass manufactures that might want to take that on? I'd be interested in rear and side glass of it goes ahead.

 

Andy, any idea if there are other glass manufactures that might want to take that on? I'd be interested in rear and side glass of it goes ahead.

 

I'd love it to proceed but the answer to your question is no atm.

Ian is there a video showing the process you saw? It would be interesting to see how it is done.

 

Afraid not Andrew whole area is limited access. I only got in because i helped them with their CAD systems.

It a total ban on cameras.

This explains the process but pilks kit is far higher tech than this .

Edited April 1, 20178 yr by Iangreenfield

Not quick or easy

It would be cheaper and easier to get used glass from the US.

 

Generally they don't get scratched up as bad a vehicles in the UK. Less crap and grit on the roads especially in the southern states.

Afraid not Andrew whole area is limited access. I only got in because i helped them with their CAD systems.

 

Thanks, I've see that one before. However, I did come across this one which shows Pilkington Classics

at Queenborough (the one that is closing) making small run replacement windscreens.

 

Still cannot convince myself of the colour of my glass, is it Blue or is it clear?

It clearly has a Blue visor, but the rest of the glass looks clear to me.

As I understand things, UK models were Blue?

 

Couple of pictures below...

Further out pictures are easier to see, looks blue in your sig although that's tiny! AFAIK clear was never an OEM tint, just bronze and blue, so unless you have some weird aftermarket one...

Latest news back from Pilkington is that they are happy about replicating my Blue visor section and the rest with a tint of my choice.

All I need to do now is decide whether to have a light Blue tint or not before I order.