mk1-forum.net

I'm in a position of needing to make new frames and glass for a minisprint.
Unfortunately all the original Mk1 pieces are some 100 miles distance away, so was hoping the collective knowledge may help me.

Having just searched the usual suppliers online catalogues and not found listed, I rang Baines who were also unable to confirm the quarter glass gasket into frame. Their initial thought was it could be the 35x1.6 simple rectangular strip which is used in the upper sliding window channel? I doubt it, but that could perhaps be made to work in a frame designed for that purpose. I'd have expected a U section with walls of around 1mm. I think if that doesnt exist then a 1mm flat section folded into the channel with a smear of butyl, then plenty of lube to ease glass in and trim the excess away once the frame is closed around the glass may be the way to go?

Does anyone just happen to have a picture of the standard glass out of the frame? I was just wondering if the glass was originally rebated to give clearance to the fish plates at the joints? (seems sensible) Our car is December 66 built, Piano hinge frame, were there different versions of the frame prior? I note some have separate piece for the hinge assembly whereas just checking pictures of our car, I only see one break in the frame directly below the piano hinge....

Not far away in Mwmbwls I have some rear glass out. You are welcome to pop over, or tell me exactly what you want pictures of?

The way I made my Sprint opening rear windows was as follows.

Take a pair of standard rear quarter windows complete with frames, remove the frames & make cuts;

1 either side of the latch mechanism, 1 either side of the hinge, you can reduce the height of the parts by chopping a bit out of each area mentioned above while ensuring the hinge & latch still line up. You will also have to increase the angle of the return bend at the back edge a little, but this can be done fairly easily.

Once you are happy with how your frame fits the hole get your new glass made to suit & then use black sikkaflex to stick the whole lot back together this ensures that the whole thing is structurally sound & rigid. It also removes the need for the silly rubber seal that is impossible to fit anyway.

This sound like a gash way of proceeding, but if you could see the rears on my car you would be very pleasantly surprised how good they looked.

Of course ALL Minisprints in the 60's just had 850 style closed rear windows.

Thank you both. Andy I may just do that when I'm ready to finalise the glass profile. Mark, I don't think our frames are good enough, and even swapping sides to get a nice outer may not suit, so knocking up some frames is probably the route I'll take. No rush on this one. It's been sat idle in the electrician's nice workshop since COVID hit, but just agreed to get a wiggle on to complet electrics in 3 months - extras and security going into it as it's going to be used & kept in London.