28 replies to this topic

[HollyBaby]

I have a 1972 Clubman estate as seen on my profile, I'm wanting to change the rear windows from the sliding two to a one-piece fixed panel. I've seen a couple of estates at shows with similar that I really like the look of, but I can't seem to find any photos (I'll continue to keep searching!).

However I'm not too sure how to go about doing this...
My main worry is a major refurb job to do on the rear window frames otherwise! Any clues/helpful suggestions or generally SOS help? Haha!
Much appreciated

[samsfern]

I'd buy a seal, and make a pattern up out of a bit of fairly thick Perspex, then get a bit of glass cut from the Perspex pattern.

[HollyBaby]

The biggest factor at the moment is the framework really =\
The seals are rotted away anyway so it's pretty much a big job on our hands! It can be done, but it's knowing how.

[HollyBaby]

Infact for what I'm after think Allegro!! Unfortunately as rare as so can't really pick up bits and bobs but take a peek at an Allegro minis rear side windows for clarification =)

[samsfern]

Austin allegro estate rear window?

http://www.carandcla...tin/2399417.jpg

[Dan]

The one piece conversions done with a rubber seal holding the window are usually converted from a van. The window frame on an estate doesn't take to a flange type seal very well. Sadly if yours are in bad shape the estate window trims are very much not available, I don't think even M-Machine have any. To get a flange seal to work you would have to remove the internal window frame completely and weld in a side panel of some sort, to give a flange with radiused corners for the seal. You might be able to find a suitable square section seal from someone like Woolies that would hold a single piece of glass with square corners properly, but you'll still have to trim the outside with something.

[Tupers]

A couple pics of an estate with one piece side windows from my collection of clubby estate pics.

[Tupers]

I think if you got a local fabrication shop to fold you some steel into a U section you could make a 2 piece frame for the window with something like this inside. You could then weld some small tags onto the frame and use pop rivets to hold it to the car.

[HollyBaby]

I know many vans have had singular window panels put in but I've ran into two particular estates that have managed it. Either seem like viable routes to go down, though I am concerned about how much messing around with the rear panels the first may involve. Determined to get it done! Will speak to PapaB as he's managed to find out various sources for parts at the moment. I may have to send him that pic actually as may help him understand exactly what I'm after!

[asahartz]

Papa B here! The beige estate above - I knew I'd seen one somewhere, that one was for sale recently and it's beautiful. But it still uses the original frames. I'll have to see how bad they are when I get them out. I'm sure I can come up with something. I did think Herald estate too - put some of those in a skip last year - doh! There must be something out there with the right sized windows...

[dave1293gt]

What about getting the glass cut to size. Then bonding it in with windscreen glue, making a strip up of some sort to tidy up the inside.
The screen guys next to our office stock some thin laminated glass for making windows up for plant equipment and tempory repairs.

[Dan]

The problem with that is the estate window frame is a square section over half an inch deep, it uses a square section window strip as standard that takes two plates of glass and so is very thick. Then the steel frame covers it all up and holds it in. That's the whole issue here really. The interior trim is not a problem, it's all available and fits against the window frame. If a sheet is bonded directly against the body frame there will be a big gap between the glass and the outer steel cover frame, and it's the outer steel that is unavailable for replacement.

[dave1293gt]

I think i get what you mean Dan. I haven't been near an estate for a good few years. Didn't know if you could bond in the glass then seal upto the metal or not. Is the inner channel not removable or is it part of the outer trim and inner as one.
Do they use the similar design to sliding window doors for the glass runners ?

[asahartz]

Found another pic - well several - in this thread here http://clubmanestate....com/topic/1392 - not sure how they've done that; it looks too flat for persepex though it looks like a perspex-type fitment.

[HollyBaby]

A friend with a clubby estate did suggest having glass cut to size and different glass sealing rubber but as PapaB said up there somewhere Stitch still has his original frames... I think we've yet to assess the damage completely yet.. uh oh!!