Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Windscreen replacement

I need to replace the windscreen on my '70 4/4. The previous owner had it replaced in the past and the repair shop installed the wrong length screws in the frame and the glass has cracked. The current glass is slightly tinted. Is that the way the car was shipped or has it been changed when replaced?

Hello, Marcus. I remember that beautiful 4/4 from the Hunt Country Classic. I am nearly positive that Morgan did not supply a tinted windscreen in the 1970s. It makes more sense to wear sunglasses, which give better protection from bugs and UV.

Thanks for the compliment. It was a good show wasn't it? I suspect you are correct about the glass and will probably go with clear. I'd like to know who the manufacturer of the original glass was and find out if there is a mask that can be used to etch the glass with the proper wording. That is probably too much to ask and I don't suppose the judges would even notice. I'm working on the car to get it ready for the AACA Grand National show in Penn this summer. The previous owner had "tricked" it out with aftermarket and chrome stuff that was not original to the date of manufacture. I am stuck on a lot of things since I don't have any 4/4's of that vintage to refer to in Williamsburg and no really good book references to go by. There seems to be a bit of lack of originality documentation when it comes to the Morgans. Once the show is over, I'll probably go back to some of the stuff I'm now replacing, but in the meantime, I'm charging along. I've joined your club so maybe we can get together this soon.

So you hope to etch your new windshield with the 1970-proper wording? WOW! I'm not sure who would know but that's such an amazing bit of Morgan trivia that I have got to help you.

For starters I'm going to look at the glass on my wife's 1959 DHC. (The windscreen on my 1961 is not original -- the previous owner broke the glass while trying to put the top up.) It will be a few days, because there's 29 inches of snow in my yard.

Some info here on GoMoG

The etching that you refer to was probably Triplex, an established automotive glass supplier of the time and if I remember correctly, which I doubt after almost 40 years, was etched onto the windscreen of my 1972 4/4 4 seater.

Marcus,
I note you have several MGs including 1949TC. I would love to know your views on the relative merits of MG - Morgan.
I used to run a 1949TC many moons ago. (FCO541)

If the glass was Triplex, I can get the mask and then etch it properly as long as I know where on the glass it is supposed to be located. I've done this for my MG's but they date to the 50's. Was triplex the supplier for Morgans in the 70's?

Graham, the TC drives horribly! It hardly stays on the road but it is fun and a real looker. Old ladies and little kids like it a lot since the style is probably one of the most classic British cars known generally to the public here in the States. My TD's are a big step up on the performance, comfort, and handling ladder. The TD is roomier and much easier to drive than the TC. Both the TD and TC are easy to work on and parts are very easy to obtain. We regularly take the both cars on 400 to 600 mile trips each year with our group and try to find the toughest mountain roads that we can and they are a blast. Cruising on the highways is another matter. High speeds are not relished with the engines reving so high and 60 year old crankshafts but they are great cars and a real joy to own.
There really is no easy comparison that can be made between the Morgan and T series cars. The Morgan is far and away a much more pleasant car to drive on highways aside from the suspension which is a bit rough over bumps. Mine is 20 years newer than the T cars and it naturally will be more reliable and modern. The Kent engine is bulletproof and "powerful". There seems to be a lot more flex in the chassis which sometimes is a bit unnerving. I find that the turning radius is a larger which poses some problems but that is the only handling negative I see with the Morgan.
Each marque has it own merits and downsides but as far as the thrill factor- both are equal and a pleasure to own and drive. My feeling is that the Morgan fraternity is bit more exclusive. Everyone has had an MG of some type it seems but few people have ever heard of a Morgan. Most folks I meet think that the Morgan is an MG so I have to explain the individual stories to them.
A good comparison is tough since it is really apple and oranges but in general, the above comments sort of sum it up for me. I enjoy building them and maintaining them, so as long as it has nuts and bolts and is British, I have fun with either make.

I'm not aware of any other UK glass suppliers to new vehicles built in the UK in that era. All MG's had triplex as far as I know, and I think that Triplex had cornered the market.

I assume you know about the year of manufacture dot under the word 'toughened'?

This is an interesting link which leads on to other interesting links!
http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Triplex_Safety_Glass_Co

And this one about MG's:
http://www.mg-tabc.org/library/triplex_glass.pd