Okay I've been toying around with the idea of some sort of replacement for the rear hatch glass (for weight reduction). I wanted to know if there was any interest?

I'm going to work on some test peices.
It will work with the current glass mounting brackets on top and the locking hindge at the bottom. It will be the same size and shape as the original glass. (I might even think about it the rear wiper mounting, but I unsure.) There will be no defrosters.

This is what I came up with with the properties of plexiglass.

- much more shatter resistant.
- 3 mm is about 50% lighter than glass.
- shipping costs much lower due to light weight.
- has considerable UV protection properties.
- much less expensive than glass with UV protection properties.
- much easier to transport than glass.

So what do you guys think?

-Error402

 

I think its bad *** but wouldnt it scratch and get all hazy really quick? For a weekend racecar its not too bad a idea but for a daily driver im sure it can get pretty hazy and hard to look out of easily. Gurus correct me if im wrong here

 

This is first for racing purposes only.

I'm already looking into what effects the weather has on plexiglass.

-Error402

 

I've thought about using plexiglass also. The hatch is so heavy, just try lifting it without the supports! I'd be very interested in how this turns out

 

Not much point putting the wiper on it as it'll scratch the plexiglass

We've had a glass rear screen on our rally car (MG Metro) for about a year or so ... its still very clear but we have been VERY carefull about making sure it does not get scratched

 

That's anothing thing I'm going to test. To see what type of effects the rubber from the wiper does to the plexiglass. I don't want to make a product that only comes in one version, so I will see what all can be done to it.

I've seen the race ready replacements for our cars and they are just a slab of plexiglass and some supports. I want a more functional one.

-Error402

 

I would like a plexi window... but would this be street legal? I doubt it would cause it's not saftey glass...

Just had to ask

Oh and the obvious: how much? What is the going price for plexi + your time + your profit? Any rought estimates yet?

 

Discliamer: This will be for race purposes ONLY. I will not be held responsible for how people will use it otherwise.

Plexi glass as mentioned before is much more shatter resistant then glass. I will try and do some research on the exact numbers and see what I can do to make it street legal.

As for cost, time, ect...I am currently looking to see if there is any interest. If there is more then just a few then I will begin a test peice. If that goes well I can then expande on 2nd gen and 3rd gen mock ups. I don't want to waste time on something that no one wants.

Initial cost will of course come from my own pockets, which is all fine and dandy. I plan on making one for my '85 GSL-SE when the time comes anyways.

-Error402

 

Just remember, Plexiglass/Lexan is picky and doesn't like to me heated too much or it gets hazy as well.

To get the factory style "curve" of the rear hatch, you will need to make a curved mold and apply even heating agross the whole surface to get the proper bends.

Most race cars just use a flat peice to avoid the headaches, using much thinner than the proposed 3mm.
Then again, they don't use the stock mounting points either. Usually just pins.

 

i had a guy across the street use plexy as a windshield and it looked like *** after not to long. i guess it also has a lot to do with the quality $$$ of the plexi.

 

The sun can beat the **** outta plexiglass. It yellows real quick. Lexan is better, but its still plastic.

 

I guess I should mention that I've worked with plexiglass many times before. I'm aware of the effects a heat gun does to the material. My other option would be looking into Lexan. (which someone else mentioned) My biggest concern is the weather. I still researching to cons and pro of both materials to see if it is even worth the try.

To get a factor style curve would not be difficult by any means. The mold it the hatch glass its self. Which I have an extra one of.

-Error402

 

lexan is very scratch prone. once you peel the protective tape off it, it starts scratching. race only it can be dealt with since the car isn't being driven more than a few hours a weekend, a few weekends out of the year. there are special polishes, scratch removers, and anti-static cleaning sprays to help with that. but lexan is cheap, i bought a 36"x46"x1/8" thick piece for twenty five bucks, smashed out the stock quarter windows and pop riveted in lexan ones on the racecar. even put washers inbetween the lexan and car body so the window pops out and air from inside the car will vent outside. ;-) I'll take pics this weekend and post it here.

i met a guy at the track with a gsl-se and he made a plexiglass rear hatch for about $75. He used plexi since it's stronger than lexan, and he felt the large hatch window should be stronger due to it's size. (but other 1st gen racers use lexan, it's lighter!) It is functional, can be opened, using stock hinges but with 2 aluminum braces running the length of the window

it is a pain in the *** to bend plexi or lexan. they are cold forming, and will bend at the angle of least resistance and stay in place if you permanently mount them. heat forming and making it curve permanently i hear from reputable source takes a special touch and brass *****.

i was at home depot running an errand and they had a friggin lexan section! don't remember if i saw plexiglass but it's worth a shot. and they will cut it for you. oh, the guy at the plastic factory where i got mine said the best thing to cut lexan with is a jig saw! worked fantastic for me!

check out this link, it's quite helpful. actual users and developers of lexan!
http://www.coloradoscca.org/prodcar/...ighlight=lexan

i hope you have a big oven and two spare glass hatches to sandwich with!

please keep us all updated as i would like one!
thanks!
-bp-

 

Plexiglass sounds like a safer, less hassel free material to deal with, compared to what that guy had to say about it.


-Error402