So, just wanted to give a little background story and then pass on some thoughts. When I started this project about 10 years ago, the person who made the body kit asked if I wanted to use an oem windshield or a cheaper more readily available windshield. Of course, given that the oem windshield can cost in excess of $5k I opted to go for the windshield of a common car. He checked a template against cars at a salvage yard and chose the windshield from a 2000 Infiniti i30. Great, I thought. I got one (delivered) for $130 (Canadian). Over the years, that windshield has been on and off the car a thousand times. When you are trying to make a quality, accurate, replica, having parts as templates as indispensable. Of course, somewhere along the line, the windshield got damaged. Initially, just a small crack across the corner, then eventually completely cracked in multiple spots. No big deal, since it was just a cheap $130 windshield. A few months ago, a friend of mine pointed out that older windshields can be hard to get, and I should get the final one to ensure a proper fit before the final paint job. So I started calling the normal sources, windshield repair places, but quickly discovered that the windshield is now discontinued and noone stocks it. For the record, this windshield was used on 2000-2003 Infiniti i30, 2000-2004 Infiniti i35, 2000-2003 Nissan Maxima. A big enough range that I assumed it would be manufactured for years to come. So I changed strategy, and decided that a used windshield would be fine. Saw lots on the used parts databases. Great! Used isn't so bad. Then I started calling the places that supposedly had the windshields... almost always the same answer. We don't have that anymore. Too old. Crushed it. Etc. I did actually locate a couple for $250 each, but of course, the salvage yard won't ship them and they are halfway across the country. There is (hopefully) a happy ending to this story. After a hundred or so frustrating phone calls, I got passed on to a supplier in Winnipeg who still has a few new windshields available. They normally don't deal directly with consumers, nor do they ship out to Nova Scotia. But, after hearing my story, they've had pity on me and are selling me two new windshields, crating them up and shipping them here. ($360 for 2 windshields, so I have a spare, plus $900 shipping)
After my efforts, I just wanted to pass on my thoughts to those who decide to take on a great project such as this. Yes, there are a number of ways to do windshields (and glass in general). You can use windshields from existing cars, you can cut them from existing windshields (not as easy as you think) or you can go all out and have a complete custom windshield made (not cheap, but there are a couple companies that do it). But whatever your plans are, don't wait to Implement them. Things change. Get on your glass plans early and then protect all your glass once you do get it! Glass can be one of the overlooked aspects of the project. Don't let it be.
