Windscreen Woes UK

[Bud English]

Nah, those flockers were tending sheep, the bane of every cowboy.

[AHM]

Windscreen delivered two days later by AA guy who confirmed that it needed their specialist classic fitter to come and fit. Appointment made

So what you are saying is, even though they knew all about your car, the first fitter they sent didn't have the skill to fit it, and you had to have another day off so that they could get someone else.

[vernon.taylor]

Salut

Well, feeling in a generous spirit (half a bottle of ros? with dinner) so I say 'now you know' - if the AA really have a specialist fitter that's great - with the proviso that you have to know about him.

I reckon the situation must be the same all over the motor industry - another example is the French MOT. There is a large French MOT chain with a little known speciality in classic cars. Those trained know how to check your car with respect to its original specification. Those not trained fail it because they use the modern yardstick.

I thought only the French liked to hide their little secrets (fear of the Gestapo and all that) - things must have changed in my 25-year absence from the UK.

@+

Vernon

[Chancer]

Vernon.

The place I use for my CT (MOT) test has a sign up saying it is affiliated to the FFVE (historic vehicle federation) or something similar, it might even have said something like they were "classic friendly" its a franchise of a national chain but I cant recall who.

If ever I decide to sell my Elan as it is then I will need a non running CT (MOT) so could you say what chain of test centres you are referring to.

[The Glassman]

Hi Ian,
It's encouraging there is someone around who is helpful.
Unfortunately I am in Dorset without an MOT - Needs a windscreen, so I can't get to Bristol.
Worth bearing in mind though.
Thanks
Jeff

Andy at Firstglass is your man. Very competent, an absolute professional and a real nice bloke to boot. You won't find many better than this chap IMHO.

Telephone: 01202 762267
[email protected]

[jeff jackson]

Hi Mike,
I didn't mean to be rude about Cowboys! Language is a strange thing, words have different contexts in different countries. Language changes over time, for instance we are using the American term for Jail now instead of the English Gaol. Here in the UK there is a TV programme called Cowboy Builders, it just means a term for someone who does not know what they are doing.
Having just sat a German language exam, my favourite word is Auspuff - German for Exhaust, literally meaning "Out blow" .
Just found out that Pilkington have nil stock of the windscreen, which implies that the AA did not have the glass in the first place. If they did and they sent it back, it's not showing on Pilkington's stock list.
I have now ordered a screen through National windscreens, and its a 4-6 week wait for the screen to be made.
Looks like the elan will not be going anywhere soon.
Kind regards
Roy Rodgers er I mean Jeff

[The Glassman]

I have now ordered a screen through National windscreens, and its a 4-6 week wait for the screen to be made.

They'll no doubt be having it made by Pilkington.

There are other manufacturers but Pilkington in Queenborough will have the original tooling.

[Elanconvert]

Having just sat a German language exam, my favourite word is Auspuff - German for Exhaust, literally meaning "Out blow" .
Jeff

I remember many years ago driving through germany and noting quite a few signs saying 'ausfahrt'...

after many miles and signs, my colleague remarked 'that must be a big place....'

fred

[vernon.taylor]

Salut Chancer

Autosur: http://www.autosur.com/12-collection-et-exception.html

You need a 'carte grise collection', but I imagine they would be more competent even for a 'carte grise normale'.

The guys like to see a bit of variety - they all took photos when I took my wife's classic mini in as by coincidence they had another being tested at the same time.

@+

Vernon

[Awelon1]

AHM / Jeff I am not sure why I feel the need to justify this but here goes. Retirement means greater flexibility and days off work are no longer needed , so I organised with the AA that they would first deliver and check (1) that it was the correct screen and (2) whether a specialist fitter was needed. First guy confirmed both so appointment was made for specialist. The point I am trying to make is that a balanced view helps all. Whilst I sympathise with Jeff and recognise his frustrations I hoped by responding that when another member of the forum had the misfortune to need a new windscreen, and their insurance company hired AA windscreens , they would be aware that the AA can get it right and they do have specialists capable of delivering excellence. Many insurance companies are now using AA screens so the probability is high. I have a leak free screen with correctly fitted bright trim.
Retirement has given me the time to revisit my youth and restore a 1972 Lotus Elan +2S 130/5. 18 months after purchase, an engine rebuild, refurbed clutch/slave cylinder, new rad and brakes have given a very tired Elan a new lease of life. I suspect that the windscreen crack, bottom offside corner, was down to repeated flexing of the body during the multiple jackings during restoration. Interestingly the AA sourced the screen from Pinxton on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border - a major base for National Windscreens. The labelling indicated multiple possible use as well as Elan, if I remember correctly, Ford Capri mark 1 and Ford Anglia 105E?
Again in the spirit of letting people know where excellence can be found the rad was supplied by Coolex Heat Transfer of Nottingham - a local company I would recommend, they know what they are talking about. I first met them when I previously ran both an MGB and a TR6 which needed cooling system parts; they are the guys who advertise elan rads in the business section, Steve is their classics man. Equally the help of TR enterprises ( another local Nottinghamshire company found in my TR6 owning days) in rebuilding the engine was invaluable, their suggestion of Piper cams is proving great - thoroughly recommend ,Tom is the man to talk to.

[oldchieft]

Off topic I know, but what Piper cam did you chose?

I have also found Piper good on other engines I built, and I plan to use 270 cams.

Jon the Chief

[69S4]

I remember many years ago driving through germany and noting quite a few signs saying 'ausfahrt'...

after many miles and signs, my colleague remarked 'that must be a big place....'

fred

I had exactly the same thought the first time I travelled along the autobahn

I wasn't alone in my anglocentric confusion though - on that same first time trip I had a friend
map reading while I drove. At one point I asked him "how much further to Munich?" He said " dunno, but
we've just gone past some place called Munchen"

In my defence we were only 18 at the time.

[Awelon1]

Piper fast road 270 cams they are, pick up from approx 2500 revs is impressive

[cal44]

Jeff,
no big deal..........I was just giving you the biz..........I knew what you meant. I now use some Brit terms as my new neighbor is from the U.K and teaching me some funny arse stuff.

mike

[jeff jackson]

I thought that I should post the latest to the forum, as a matter of balance.
The AA phoned me to offer their apologies and to confirm they had not performed as they should have with respect to my windscreen. By way of saying sorry they have offered me 75 pounds for my inconvenience. I think it does show that the AA do care about their reputation, but it still does not get away from the fact that they did let me down three times. To be perfectly honest, I would have preferred a windscreen and being able to drive my car over any compensation money.
The wait for a new screen to be manufactured continues....
Kind regards
Jeff
72+2