Convertible Windshield Frames

[unclescott58]

I brought this up in another thread in another section on this site, but I thought it might be more appropriate here. And it deals with using resin windshield frames. I'm planning on converting AMT's latest '69 Corvair hardtop into a convertible. To do this I ordered a '66 Corvair convertible windshield frame from Modelhaus. Has anybody here ever done this? And how tough or easy of a job is it with their windshield frames? I've purchased lots of Modelhuas stuff in the past, so I know they put out quality goods. But, I really do not know what part of, or how much of the windshield frame one gets. So I have no idea of how or where it attaches to body. Or how one permanently attaches it to the body.

So any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Scott

[Snake45]

Dunno about the Corvair specifically but I bought his unit for '63-'67 Corvette. It came with the cowl and a little bit of the fender and/or door tops attached. Don either told me on the phone or in email (I forget which) that he did it this way so you could decide how much of it you wanted to use.

If I wanted to make a Corvair convertible out of an intact body, I'd just chop off the kit top and work with the kit windshield frame. The resin parts are IMHO more for repairing a frame that's completely or partially missing.

[Ace-Garageguy]

If I wanted to make a Corvair convertible out of an intact body, I'd just chop off the kit top and work with the kit windshield frame. The resin parts are IMHO more for repairing a frame that's completely or partially missing.

I really have to agree strongly with Snake on this one. I do a LOT of slice / dice and heavy mods, and though I haven't done a Corvair convertible conversion, doing just as Snake suggests makes the most sense.

It's relatively easy to remove the hardtop portion of any model and leave the windshield frame intact.

The Corvair convertible in 1:1 uses welded-on, painted A-pillars, with a stainless cap where the top seals. Cutting the roof off and retaining the existing windshield frame is without doubt the smart way to go about getting a convert.

Edited April 16, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[Krazy Rick]

I agree too, your better off to just cut - put 2 or 3 layers of masking tape across the windshield opening to stabilize the frame... cut the roof with a razor saw, sand as needed & carefully remove the tape.

[unclescott58]

What do you guys do about sun visors then?

Scott

[Ace-Garageguy]

It's a WHOLE lot easier to make 2 sun visors out of a little .020" or .030" styrene than it is to cut and splice in a windshield frame...a job that requires extreme precision to get acceptable results.

Edited April 16, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[Snake45]

It's a WHOLE lot easier to make 2 sun visors out of a little .020" or .030" styrene than it is to cut and splice in a windshield frame...a job that requires extreme precision to get acceptable results.

Agree completely, and I'm not even sure the MH part will have the sun visors. I don't remember if my Corvette one does, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't.

[fseva]

Sunvisors - separate parts on certain models - don't most modelers save their sunvisors just for this type of occasion - I never bother to install separate sunvisors in hardtops, as they won't be seen. I'm sure I must have at least one set in my extras stash...

[gtx6970]

Agree completely, and I'm not even sure the MH part will have the sun visors. I don't remember if my Corvette one does, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't.

The modelhaus frame I have in this , does indeed have sunvisors attached

[Snake45]

Aren't the sunvisors usually folded forward, out of the way, anyway?

[pharoah]

I vote to cut the roof off,and use the kit windshield frame.too. That skinny piece of resin is very brittle.

Sunvisors are easy to make. Get your saw out.