Right at the top of the list is the one to avoid. Picture on left is logo of "Perfect Glass" brand windscreen glass for the MGA. This is the one that does not fit properly, for multiple reasons. For full details of that problem, see the FT-006 fault report.
To the right is a picture of the Triplex/Pilkington logo taken from the glass in my car (click for larger image), purchased from Moss Motors in January 1998. Libby Owens Ford (LOF) are the agents for Pilkington (glass worldwide). Pilkington have bought the brand name "Triplex". They have the right to put "Triplex" on any glass they want. The logo is different than the old 50s'-60's Triplex logo some remember, generally described as a heart with three X's inside arranged in a triangle. Any new Pilkington glass will likely bear the new Triplex logo seen here.
Plinkington has manufacturing plants worldwide, so the Plinkington/Triplex glass may or may not be made in England. Look for the country of manufacture on the part itself. "AGR North America" is Plinkington's North American distribution network with distribution center in Columbus, Ohio. See "Plinkington Classics" Automotive Glass or call 1-800-848-1351. You can order your classic car glass complete with the original LOF sandblasted logo and date coding.
Plinkington is now a member of NSG Group. The acquisition of Pilkington by NSG was completed on 16 June 2006. Plinkington was previously larger than NSG. The existing management team will continue to run Pilkington.
As of March 2007, Prosource Glass in Maine 877-345-2800 carries the Triplex windshield for $235 plus $15 boxing plus shipping (approx $40), $290-USD in all.
On left, the vintage Triplex logo used in the 1950's.
On right, the new British Motor Heritage MG logo used on new glass being supplied by BMH. I have a report from an end user that this glass fits perfectly, works great. Briefly sold by Moss Motors in late 2005, early 2006, then out of stock.
There is another brand name in the market now, as I found out the hard way from an end customer. A friend recently ordered glass from Victoria British (Mar 04), asked about the brand at time of order, but order taker didn't know. Order was delayed a day or two until he could talk to a "manager". Manager told him it was Triplex glass, so the order was placed. Upon reciept the glass turned out to be VELAS brand. This glass is labeled as shown on left. No photo available (yet).
The thickness of this glass, measured at several points around the edge, is 0.233 inch. This is reasonably close to the desired 1/4 inch nominal spec, so nothing wrong there. Perimeter dimensions are unknown (so far). The customer returned the part to V.B. because it was misrepresented as Triplex brand at time of order. So the jury is still out on this one until I get a report from someone who has actually installed one.
Addendum 7/15/04: Slight revision to above note. The VELAS glass was not returned immediately to V.B., but was finally installed. The perimiter dimensions on this one are too small all around. The height is a little shy, so it required a packing strip in the bottom frame. The length left to right is at least 1/4" too short. This leaves gaps at the lower corners to pass wind and rain, certainly not acceptable. So now this glass is going back to V.B.
At 02:24 PM 1/23/05 -0500, Jim Ferguson wrote: "I bought a Windshield glass in 1994 from Scarborough Faire and it has been in the box since then. .... The new glass has a measured thickness of .217" and is etched with: [shown at left]. The glass does have relieved corners." [No report on fit, yet].
"I have another windshield glass from a 1600 'parts car' that has no etching that I can find with a thickness of .274".
Now that's strange. I have never heard (before this) of any MGA glass being thicker than .250". This could present some problem with fitting of the perimiter seal. With no markings I might guess this one could have been custom cut and formed at a time when standard glass may not have been available.
Addendum 8/27/05:
At 03:55 PM 8/27/05 -0400, Jim Ferguson wrote: "I finally fitted the windshield. The thin glass was very loose with the standard packing. It just flopped around in the frame. I tried some thicker foam that is to be the convertible top bow padding/seal to the windshield. It worked very well in a trial of one side.
"I got the foam from Todd Clarke so I contacted him and found he sells the thicker foam in lengths for the windshield. It is specifically for the now common thin windshield glass. The thicker packing is about 1/8" thick or about twice the standard packing thickness.
"I have assembled the windshield and the fit is very good. The glass is very tight and the foam is estimated at 30-40% compressed."
Here's another note especially for concours enthusiasts who may be looking for perfection. Enthusiasts from a lot of different auto clubs (not necessarily MG) have been getting glass on special order with the correct original vintage logo etched on the part. Check with this supplier:
O.E.M. Glass, Inc.
PO Box 362, Hwy 9 E.
14038 Prairie Commercial # P
Bloomington, IL 61704
800-283-2122 309-662-2122 (309) 663-7474 (fax)
