FD windshields
 

we are doing a 20b project on a FD currently..just finished the body, engine and drivetrain are complete and tuned. Our body guy just needs to put new Glass in the windshield. He's telling us that there is no FD windshields oem or aftermarket left anywhere..like nowhere in the world! He's saying every Glass manufacturer no longer makes front Glass for the FD. In disbelief we have had multiple people looking and called multiple companies with no luck. Everyone is saying they've never seen this before for any make model car. The more we look the more it seems to be true. We just need Glass to finish this car!

Anybody experienced this or know where to get a new windshield? if not, don't crack a windshield boys, cuz apparently there's none left..forever.

I just put a new one in last year thru Apple Autoglass
$350 tax in .....

They can make them. A friend waited 2 months for his :(

There were very few left when I was looking for one last fall, I needed a brown glass and none of those left for sure, I ended up getting a blue one and according to the shop there were very few left in stock.

There's a grey one on eBay now if you can't find one anywhere else :)

nabbed up the grey one on ebay! Thanks for the input guys! Word to everyone....careful who and what you drive behind..keep those windows safe cuz apparently there's very few left out there!

I just had mine replaced last summer. My glass guy got it the next day, and installed for $250.

I initially expressed my concerns to him about the availability of it both then and in the future, and he said whenever a manufacture runs low on glass, they pull the mold and make another batch. He does work for a local exotic shop and some restoration shops, and told of all the obscure old cars that he could get glass for that was stocked and ready.



Edit: And these cars have it easy with availability. I had the windshield crack in my Elise last fall(I'm convinced there's a glass curse on me), and there is only one manufacture of the glass, you can only order it through a dealership, and the backorder ranges from a few weeks to 6 months depending on demand. And as would be expected, insanely expensive.

Mazdaspeed shows the FD windshield in stock for about $375.

I dont think we have to worry about availability issues for FD windshields just yet.

safelite is doing mine on thursday for $215

I had mine done a couple weeks ago for under $300. Also Safelite.

This is what I remember from a little over a year ago. I ended up with blue as well, but oh well. I also remember the factory windshield molding trim being about as hard to find as a ham sandwich in Baghdad.

Maybe you guys were doing something wrong. I got mine replaced last month and unless there was a rash of broken windshields, plenty were available. In blue and grey anyway. I used safelite

I got the last one in Ohio using safelite.

It might be location related, I talked to 2 local shops plus Safelite when I needed mine replace last October, the 2 shops were able to find blue/green glass while Safelite called me back said no glass available.

Yep, maybe a regional problem. ZE Power and I are both in the Midwest.

:pat:
lol definitely a more likely explanation

just checked safelite's site, 278 installed

Safelite installed mine in 30 mins on thursday. Guy had 20 years install experience and my rx7 was his first. Got the blue glass installed for $189. I'm in Oklahoma btw

Windshield molding replacement
 

Hi guys, greetings fromPortugal.
Can someone tell me if I need to remove the windshield to replace the molding,as I'm going to respray my '92FD3s? The same to the rear glass and molding...thanks!

Always better to remove the glass/molding/doors/hatch, etc., etc. if you're having a quality paint job done.

I had my rx-7 repainted twice, once when I first got it ($1,000 cheapo special) and then years later ($7,000 proper job) and the difference is noticeable when it's done "right".

Plus, you don't need to worry about some knucklehead spraying over your radiator and oil coolers...

To replace the molding you don't have to remove the windshield or rear window and this is detailed in the Mazda service manual (although body shops may want to convince you otherwise).

On the topic of windshields, does anyone have any suggestion on what can be done to strengthen the windshield?
I know this sounds weird but in the first two weeks with my FD I got about 4 rock chips. Its not the road I drive on... I drive my STI on the same road everyday and have not had a single rock chip.. Knock on wood.

I think the WS angle and hardness of the glass has something to do with it. I'd bet the higher front profile of your Subaru has played some interference as well.

Thanks for your reply... Maybe I misunderstood the service manual, as I only found the replacement of the windshield and the moldings. I was already planning in removing as many parts as possible to give a proper paint job, as it was painted with the previous owner, but a really bad job as I have so many parts oversprayed, like windshield bottle, expansion bottle, front harness, etc... lots of extra work because of an amateur paint job.
BTW, I'm having some difficult to get the front and rear moldings and clips... can you help me on this?
Regards,

You may want to try asking Ray
Crowe https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene.../#post12062545

He's in the US, but as far as I know he ships internationally too.

Wait, I heard that the OEM ones are no longer available. At least, from when I called Ray a few years ago for.