C-1 Windshield Adjustment Possible?

[Mike B.]

I would like to close the door gaps slightly between the front of the doors and the body (the hinge jam area) on my '61. However the door posts are right against the mating area on the windshield prohibiting forward movement. I have fiddled with the door post and related adjustments ad nauseum but it appears that the only option left is to move the windshield forward slightly.

So my question: Can this be done? Are the mounting holes slotted to allow adjustment? And if so, is it worth taking the chance? The car was restored about 8 years ago so there is hope that the gasket will free up without getting destroyed. I don't want to remove the windshield, only move it forward about 1/4".

Any tips and advice is certainly appreciated. Leaving well enough alone might be the correct choice, but those uneven gaps sure are annoying.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

[Mike E.]

Re: C-1 Windshield Adjustment Possible?

There really isn't any room for fore and aft movement of the windshield, Mike. The many bolts that go through the body from the bottom of the windshield frame really restrict that--the holes in the body are only slightly bigger than the bolts, and that's only for allowing for manufacturing tolerances. You'd be opening up a MAJOR can of worms!!!
(By the way, most of the factory gaps aren't all that great, believe me!!!

[Mike B.]

Re: C-1 Windshield Adjustment Possible?

Thank you Mike. You saved me from a major headache. Not to mention back and neck aches from laying upside down under the dash!

[Joe R.]

Re: C-1 Windshield Adjustment Possible?

Mike, I had a similar problem restoring my 54. I ended up shimming the body slightly to increase the fender/door gap. It really worked well.

Joe

[Mike B.]

Re: C-1 Windshield Adjustment Possible?

Joe,

I've always been afraid to try that but I guess the body is more flexible than one would think, especially in the door area. Sounds like a good idea. Thanks.

[Joe R.]

Re: C-1 Windshield Adjustment Possible?

Fear not, Mike. It's easier than it looks. My fear was the fiberglas cracking or something worse, but I had to shim mine a lot (5 shims on the mounts under the dash) and that was 8 months ago-no problems.

Joe

[Roy B.]

Re: C-1 Windshield Adjustment Possible?

I've held work shops showing where and how to shim C1's , amazing how few people know this, The body flexes under the door back area line, if done wrong that is why the bottom door curved skin section sticks out from the body. But if it's been that way for years you need to build the body back out because the body will bow IN and stay that way.