Different Windshield Options
1953 – 1955 Corvette / 1956 – 1961 Corvette / 1955 – 1957 Thunderbird / Cobra / Custom / Other
1953 – 1955 Corvette Windshield
1956 – 1961 Corvette Windshield
1955 – 1957 Thunderbird Windshield
Corvette Windshield 1953 – 1955 With Side Chrome Simplified and Single Color – Not Two Tone
Three-Piece Windshield “Duvall” Style
1957 Chevrolet Convertible Windshield (not Corvette)
Custom Windshield by Dan Palatnik
Dan’s Thoughts: To keep the original door leading edge I made a very simple one similar to Corvette’s but different in proportions with squarer corners and a less crowned top. The trailing line is inclined to match (and highlight) the door trailing edge. . I also worked some more on the nameplate (can still be improved) and made the sidetrim follow the front fender top line as it curves down to meet the rear fender. Also added a frenched license recess to dandy the rear a bit. (see his work below).
Ford Cobra Windshield
1954 Debonnaire Windshield Thoughts By Steve Tremulis (8/10/2022)
In looking at the overall concept, it appears that Phil Egan had a unifying theme in mind. It looks like the rake of the leading edge of the front end, the rear fender and the tail all had a similar angle to them. So I think I’d try to keep that same angle with the trailing edge of the windshield. If that’s not possible, then my second suggestion would be to mimic the same angle as the back of the cove (it looks pretty close already).
The 53-55 Vette looks a little too short and out of proportion and you may only have a couple inches to see out the front above the steering wheel, depending on the seat height. The 56-61 Vette looks about right, but it wouldn’t have been available in 1955 (if that matters).
The T’bird looks pretty good and fits with the Ford frame theme. The back of the windshield looks like it has a very similar rake to it. If it’s the same angle as the front/fender/rear angle, then you probably found the unifying theme that tied it all together originally.
Also, I’m loving the side cove, but did any of the originals have it? It looks like the trim was placed above the parting lines on the original mold? Even though these were customs, I’d be inclined to go more original without the cove. For color combo, if no cove, the silver exterior with red interior like the Nash-Healey looks pretty amazing…
