1991 ZR-1 solar windshield

[Carl H.]

Looking at a 91 ZR-1 in great condition except windshield is "cloudy". My black book says the 91 ZR-1 had a special windshield called a "solar windshield". Need to know what it is and are they still available. Is there a fix short of replacing it? Carl Hamilton Member # 38613

[Joe L.]

Re: 1991 ZR-1 solar windshield

Carl-----

1991-95 Corvettes with ZR-1 (and maybe even 1990) did use a so-called "solar windshield". This windshield contained some sort of "hi-tech" lamination shielding element that was supposed to reduce the internal heat load of the car without significant "shading" effect. I don't know how effective that it actually was. Interestingly, the lamination element would potentially interfere with the ability of certain, internal radio-frequency equipment to operate properly (like radar detectors and, possibly, garage door openers). So, there was a "cutout" provided in the shielding right at the location where folks usually install radar detectors on their windshields.

I have not heard of the problem which you describe, but it sounds like the kind of thing that might be expected "down-the-line" after fancy new technologies have a chance to "mature" in the field. I really don't think that there would be any way to correct it other than windshield replacement since the shielding element, presumably the cause of the "clouding", is part of the windshield lamination and not simply a coating. Delaminating and relaminating a windshield is approximately equivalent to raising someone from the dead.

I don't know, at the moment, if the solar winshield is still available. I can tell you later, though. However, if it is available, I would expect it to be very expensive. Coupled with the fact that a standard Corvette C4 windshield can be used to replace the "solar variety" and considering what we now, apparently, know about the "long-term durability" of the solar windshield, perhaps the matter of whether the solar windshield is available or not is rather moot. But, I'll post later as to its availabilty status.

[Terry M.]

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1991 ZR-1 solar windshield - 1990 also

Like many ZR-1 parts, the availablility is about nil. The most recent cost of these NOS is about $3000 per my discussions with others this August. Don't expect them to decrease unless some generous company decides to reproduce them. I wouldn't hold my breath.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: 1991 ZR-1 solar windshield

Carl------

OK, here's the deal: both the standard and the ZR1 "solar" windshields are still available from GM. The standard windshield is also available through automotive glass dealers, although the brand and facets of configuration may vary from the originals and/or GM-supplied windshield. The standard windshield will fit ALL 1984-96 Corvettes.

Anyway, the standard windshield is GM #10172302. It currently GM lists for $543.69. The 90-95 ZR1 "solar" windshield is GM #10172489. It currently GM lists for $2,435.37. I am relatively certain that it will fit non-ZR1 84-96 Corvettes, too. So, any C4 owner who wants to "upgrade" his car can simply purchase one of these windshields and install it. Presto! You now have a ZR1 windshield in a non-ZR1 and all of the exclusivity and added "functionality" thus conferred. In fact, it's something that I'm going to consider for my 92 LT1. Of course, I'll need to think about it for awhile; likely a LONG, LONG while! By the way, I don't have any of these in my parts collection, and I'm not planning on acquiring any, either. Just not my "cup-of-tea".

[Dino L.]

Re: 1991 ZR-1 solar windshield

Joe, This is what I know about C4 windshields...there are four afternarket part numbers covering the years 1984 through 1996 they are physical the same size, bend and curvature, roughly 36.6" by 66.3" All physically interchangable...they fit the hole.
DW951 - fits 1984-89, it is not solar
DW1075 - fits 1990, different edge paint band than DW951, not solar
DW1085 - Fits 90-85 ZR1, same as DW1112 except it has coated solar glass
DW1112 - 91-96, solar batch glass, same as 1075 design but uses solar glass

There are three different raw glass materials used by LOF on these parts
green tint - tradename Easy-eye, DW951, 1075
Batch glass Solar green tint - tradename, EZ-Kool DW1112
Coated solar glass green tint - tradeneame Kooloff DW1085

The main difference in batch versus coated, is coated reflects energy and batch absorbs it...so when the car is not moving the coated glass is much more effective in it's solar properties.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1991 ZR-1 solar windshield

Joe,

Do you actually see any of the ZR-1 windshields in stock anywhere? Any warehouse? Or are they just listed as being available or a non-discontinued part?

Patrick

[Dino L.]

Re: 1991 ZR-1 solar windshield

Patrick, I called Pilkington classic glass 1-800-848-1351 and found out that the local Pilkington service center glass warehouse has two in stock. I also inquired nationally and they have them throughout the country in limited supply...under a 100 in total....you can buy one for $1898 out the door....not bad profit for a part that cost $50.00 to make! Look in your local yellow pages under Pilkington Glass distributors....they bought out LOF.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1991 ZR-1 solar windshield

Patrick-----

The windshield is still an active part number in the GM parts system. Unless it has been VERY recently discontinued and/or warehouse stock exhausted(like within the past 3 or 4 weeks), there should still be inventory in some GMSPO warehouse OR the part may be an "SPS" item. These are parts which are shipped from their source (like the manufacturers' warehouse stocks that Dino described). I didn't check on "SPS status for the windshield, but I can do so later. There are VERY few in GM dealer inventory. But, that's to be expected. Very few, IF ANY, dealers would stock an item like this. The chances are that the few that are out there in GM dealer stock are items that someone ordered and left the dealer "stuck with". "SPS" items cannot be returned by the dealer and most require full payment before they'll even order them. But, a few might "take a chance on someone" (and get "burned").

[Verle R.]

Re: 1991 ZR-1 solar windshield

You say the windshield is cloudy, can you describe this more.
Is this something you see outside or inside or both?

The reason I ask, the solar windshield will appear cloudy or mirror-like when viewed from outside under certain conditions and there is nothing wrong. That is the solar coating working properly.

Verle

[Dino L.]

Re: 1991 ZR-1 solar windshield

Joe it is my understanding that GMSPO third party administers all its glass. There is a distributor that once the order is placed with GMSPO, they transmit the order to the distributor and they box it and send it to the delaer....very few if any dealers stock glass parts. The very same part that exists in the GMSPO distribution channel exists in the Pilkington Warehouses.... Pilkington/LOF DOT15 were OEM on the part and it was a proprietary part meaning no one in the aftermarket ever reproduced it. I am sure if someone wanted to hunt long enough...you could even find one properly dated sans the 1995 version probably....I think LOF discontinued making that part after production ceased so what ever the last run that was made is what is in stock today.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1991 ZR-1 solar windshield

Thanks!

One of my friends has a ZR-1 in need of a windshield. I'll let him know.

Patrick

[Carl H.]

Re: 1991 ZR-1 solar windshield

Verle, it is a yellow band across the top of the windshield and another about midway (centered up, down and sideways). Looks like a laminate failure to me. Carl Hamilton

[Patrick H.]

1991 ZR-1 solar windshield availability Addendum!

Hi again,

I talked with my ZR-1 friend today. Apparently the "hole" in the solar shield was changed, likely in 1992 (per his recollection). The 1990-91 windshield had a wider, shorter hole while the later windshield had a narrower, taller hole.

So I was correct in stating that the 1991 version is no longer available. The version you can buy now from GM is the later one. The part number likely didn't change as GM didn't care what the hole looked like, or at least not enough to change the part number in their system.

Patrick