1976 SLC -OE Windscreen manufacturer??

[jbp]

Anybody happen to know the original manufacturer(s) of the front windscreen for a 450SLC (1976)?
I assume they would have marker the glass with their name and the Mercedes logo?
Would they have been the same manufacturer as the supplier of the side glass and/or rear screen?
Thanks.

[merc-304]

Sekurit ?

[jbp]

Hi Merc
Thanks for the reply.
I did post a response but it does not seem to have appeared, so here goes again.

The 4 side window glass pieces are marked as SEKURIT, so I did wonder the same thing.

Recently someone suggested that SIGLA were the original windscreen supplier for my car. I believe that SIGLA did supply auto glass to Porsche and other German cars of the era, so that is also possible.
To make things a little more confusing, the current front screen is marked with "KINONGLAS KRYSTALL" (or something like it) and has a British standards BS mark shown.

[Aegean]

English car ? If you are not sure, look for a small tag that mentions seatbelts under the bonnet, according to BS standard AU 4 I think it says. If so, it is an English origin car.

Here is a copy of the tag

https://forum.w116.org/index.php?action ... 3297;image

[AMG]

Sigla is the manufacturer of the windscreen in mine (1987). It's still in there, but probably should be replaced sometime soon.

[jbp]

Thanks for the relies guys.

Yes. It is an english car. Imported into Australia some time in the early or mid 1980's I believe.
Hi compression K Jet engine and no anti-pollution equipment.
I am now inclined to think the windscreen with its "Kinonglass Krystall" marking may be original. It has a graded green band across the top of the screen. Perhaps that is what was fitted to english SLC's?

One of the reasons I am asking this is, that I am considering replacing the front screen after 26 years of ownership and over 120,000 kms of use, much of it on the freeway, so the screen glass is quite pitted, with the occasional stone chip.
I have been offered a Sigla OE (so I am told) front screen or an aftermarket screen (probably Pilkington?). The Sigla option is double the price though.

[AMG]

fit the Sigla screen.

[Aegean]

Sigla is made by Pilkington.

[AMG]

Correct,
But are you aware of the different grades of windscreen that pilkington manufacture?

I went through this recently with the windscreen in the RRC.

I could have bought 5 different brands from 2 manufacturers, and the price differed from $195 to $1285 not incl. fitting.

Different thicknesses, different 'glass' (clarity/tint) and different quality standards.

There was a chinese made one, graded higher than the pilkington, which I thought was the 'good' one until the windscreen guy told me that it was a chinese pilkington and not the one made in the UK which was 800 bucks.

the OEM XXX screen was 1285.

jbp, as you're in Sydney, perhaps ring Moore Glass - they are specialist MB glassfitters and take care in their workmanship.

[jbp]

Thanks AMG

I dropped Ralph Moore an email. They offer either Sigla or an aftermarket screen. The Sigla is more or less double the price, and apparently both are in stock (not sure where?).
I have asked for more information and will post them up when I know more.
I may need to find some time and go out to Mascot and have a chat with them.

Is there any chance that the Kinonglas Krystall front screen is original?

cheers.

[AMG]

If you have Sigla side windows, the screen would have been sigla also.

[AMG]

Just thought I'd add this - in case you are not already aware.

If you haven't already considered - please give consideration to the complexity and cost and potential damage to the removal of the trim in the 107.

Fitting a windscreen into a 107 is not a straightforward process. You may also discover corrosion.

There are a lot of trim pieces which can be very easily damaged, and despite the possibility of not having to remove a pillar trims etc, when I've seen it done the "wrong" way, you can tell - it's bleedingly obvious.

If you have a quote that seems high, just ask them what is involved, and if you prefer to remove the trim pieces yourself, then maybe it will reduce costs a fraction.

the top trimpiece on an SL is the most time consuming due to the requirement of removing all the interior pieces to remove the stainless trimpiece, to allow access to the windscreen trim.

That's - if it is done properly.

[jbp]

Hi AMG
Thanks for the advice.
My car is a SLC and the side glass is SEKURIT.

I believe that Saint Gobain own both SEKURIT and Kinonglas.
And Pilkington now own Sigla I see.

I also understand that it was not uncommon in the 70’s and perhaps 80’s to have SEKURIT side glass and Sigla front screen in some makes, for example Porsche and perhaps Mercedes?
I also believe Kinonglas was a supplier for front screens then also. Can’t be certain when, and to which manufacturer, or for which models. I have seen Kinonglas fitted to a 190SL and also a 250SL.
Given my screen is Kinonglas Krystall, it is either the original, or was replaced sometime in the 80’s.
I am leaning towards thinking it may have been original.

Not all glass is the same and it seems difficult to make a decision whether to go with SIGLA or the after-market Chinese option at half the cost. It is sometimes only with the benefit of hindsight that the best option becomes clear (no pun intended!).

I have had all the interior trim (except the headlining) out of the car when I rebuilt/restored the interior some years ago.
That includes the dashboard and the A pillar trims, and the trim across the roof lining at the top on the windscreen housing the interior light. From memory they are all slid on and retained by spring clips into slots in the body metal returns?

When I recently approached the business at Mascot about replacing the front screen I suggested that I might remove the exterior aluminium trim around the screen myself, as well as the internal A pillar and top of screen trim.
I thought if I did so before I delivered it I would also see if there was any corrosion to the trim clips, or to the pocket of the body immediately around the screen.
I am having second thoughts about this as they are clearly quite experienced and have been there before, and may in fact be more experienced in removing the trim than me.

I guess I need to find the time to pop out to Mascot and have a chat to them about the windscreens types on offer and the fitting. I know they would prefer I leave the car with them all day to have the windscreen fitted, which is a good sign perhaps?

[AMG]

Yes, leaving it there all day is normal for Ralph.
Go talk to them, you'll walk away with a very clear idea of what's involved.

I went the middle of the road chinese made screen on the range rover and I regret it.

it's about half the thickness of the old screen - believe it or not!

so maybe that triple X OEM screen was worth the 1200-odd bucks. Who knows.

It also took the guy 4 hours to fit. no joke. I was there for all of it, and ended up giving him a hand because of the ridiculously tight fit.

It probably should have had the top edge and the RH side ground down a bit, but they break easily......

I don't think you'd have issues like that with Moore Glass. They have a pretty good reputation.

Let us know how you go.

[jbp]

Will do.
Unfortunately it may take some time as the Mascot business is only open during the week, so will need to organise time away from work one morning to call in and have a chat with them.