Front & Rear Screen Replacement

[406Special]

This subject has been dealt with before on a few occassions, however this time I want to ask my learned friends about replacing said screens from a 406 to a later model without supply issues. Hass anyone seen or know of either the rear or front of a 406 being modified to take the later screens? Importance of this is to move to a more available screen or two than the often scarce or unavailable 406 versions. If it is possible (money being the lubricant) then which model should I go for?

If I wanted a total change in look, I could always go for Greg Woog's Lusso concept and make massive changes to the roof and side/rear panels to use a more common or available screen. But I want something almost the same size to minimize modification and expense, hence a change to say 407-411, but I do not have the detailed measurements etc to compare one screen to another.

Clyde

P.S. Getting short runs of screens made from a blank is not a problem, but mighty expensive (minimum runs are usually 10-15), even if getting a useful option like screen heating is included. I want to weigh up the pros and cons.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by 406Special

....I want something almost the same size to minimize modification and expense, hence a change to say 407-411 ...

Clyde

I have a vague recollection of Nick Challacombe buying a front screen a few years ago for his 407 at a very reasonable price from a regular retail windscreen outfit. However, I don't think the 407 screen fits any other Bristol, which probably means it is the same as the screen for a more common non-Bristol car.

Have you asked Bristol? Given that they seem to be more active in restoration maybe they have secured a more reliable supply.

Given the low likelihood of breaking a screen I think modifying the screen surrounds on your 406 is a bit extreme.

Bear in mind also, that Pilkington are now owned by the Japanese and any agreement they had with Bristol in the past (to only supply Bristol screens to BCL) has probably gone out the window

From their web site;
In servicing the aftermarket, Pilkington Automotive is able both to leverage its global OE supply programmes and to utilise its flexible, short-run manufacturing expertise to produce glazings for models which are no longer current, or for which Pilkington Automotive is not the OE supplier.

Kevin

[406Special]

Kevin,

Thanks for the reply. No one else has yet offered advice, however I will be
seeking input from BCL when appropriate. I visited Nick C a couple of
months back to finally meet him f2f including his lovely wife Carol. Nick
and I share some war stories other than Bristol, so had a linked-mindset so
to speak, hence the journey across from Oxfordshire to Suffolk.

As I got to see, sit in and hear Nick's lovely 407, he also told me about
his spare front and rear screens. Apparently the 406/407 share the rear
screen and Nick seems to have the only spare one in captivity (bought off
ebay last year at an incredibly good price). The 406 looks like it has a
distinctly unique front screen, albeit looks almost identical to the one on
a 407.

What would be interesting, although I have never seen such a thing, is an
accurate technical measurement spec for screens so we can compare one to the
other.

Clyde

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by 406Special

What would be interesting, although I have never seen such a thing, is an
accurate technical measurement spec for screens so we can compare one to the other.

Clyde

I did wonder how one ascertains that a spare screen bought on the secondary market is actually correct. It occured to me that you could have a spare screen sitting in your garage for years and when it's finally needed it turns out to be incorrect. Assuming of course that they don't say "Bristol 40x" on them?

You would certainly want to place if over the existing screen in situ, this would allow you to ensure that it looks right.

Kevin

[406Special]

I have managed, with help from Dr Dave Dale (London), to contact a
number of possible suppliers of screens. I am waiting for Phil Lomas
(nice guy) to return with firm quotes to do both front and rear
screens for my 406. I have asked for heated screens, elements in
rear and micro elements in front. Phil told me that they had two
manufacturers who had tools for the 406 screens (rear is same as
407), front unique, so no set up costs. Can do heating elements
thereby affording some modern convenience to the final solution.
These guys also did the new heated front screen for the 411 S6, as
well as all the bespoke glass (front, rear and side) for Mike
Waller's 406 Teardrop special. Even the new Noble M6 has glass made
by these guys.

The contact details are:

Phil Lomas
Director & General Manager
Mobile Windscreens Ltd
Tel: 0117 304 2000
Fax:0117 304 2059
Visit our website: www.mobilewindscreens.co.uk

Clyde.

[Nick Challacombe]

Its quite simple really the front windscreen was in stock at Autoglass and
has the packaging.
The rear screen from the 407 bought from eBay, I went to see the vendor a
previous
Bristol club member and enthusiast saw photographs of the unfortunate car
both pristine
and derelict, I bought all the glass except the front screen which are still
available.
I bought spare doors mainly for the mechanism. I am a bit old in the tooth
to get
caught out Kevin. The vendor is now into Rolls Royce's and has a collection
of 6 .
I am beginning to be a bit like Brian May for 407's as I have spare heads
(unleaded), spare manifolds, exhaust and inlet,
Spare carb,starter,dynamo,fuel tank,heater,rear lights,gasket sets,carb
repair kit,master cylinder repair kit, dash board,
horns,doors,glass,hoses,badges,hub caps,wheel,jack,heater motor,windscreen
rubber and loads of electric bits.
I was a boy scout so I take be prepared to its limit.
I have had the car 10 years now and one tends to collect bits when they come
up.
I needed a brake calliper Dunlop and found it brand new in our town so
bought a set.
I bought a box of oil filters from a closed down American Car specialist.
It amuses me that the gasket set all refer to the 313 as a dodge truck
engine.
So it not only Bentleys that are lorries!

Kind regards,

Nick