32 Ford Roadster windshield width issue

[TomOKC]

I have a 32 ford roadster pickup hot rod that I purchased this summer.
It has a 2" chopped windshield.
It's too low for me so I wanted to change to standard height.
That's when I found that the windshield is only 40" wide instead of the standard 43-3/4" width.
There is no way the stanchions mounting can changed for standard width.
It appears the cowl has been tapered so only a 40" windshield will work.

Is there a narrow 40" windshield that fits my cowl?

I have already purchased standard height stanchions and they work fine except for the 2" gap below windshield.

If I can't purchase a 40" wide windshield then I think I have 4 options:

1. Use original chopped stanchions and remove the top part of windshield frame and use a 2" longer glass, or Percy's Speedglass (with round corners on whichever I use) (seems easy, safe?)

2. Use standard stanchions and make 2" hump on cowl (rubber?) to fill the gap (easy, attractive?)

3. Use standard stanchions and increase height of chopped frame by welding in 2" of frame material below top pivot (if available)

4. Use standard stanchions and reduce the width of a standard windshield to conform to the narrow cowl (probably not easy).

It seems that 1 and 2 are much easier than 3 and 4.

Any suggestions or help?

[Krylon32]

A few pictures would be helpful that show your problem.

[Andy]

Is it an original body or a repo?

[TomOKC]

Original windshield (on the car currently) is chopped 2" as are the stanchions. The width of windshield at top is 40". The distance between stanchions can not be increased any more due to narrow cowl.

The cowl appears to be tapered and the firewall is smooth and there is no vent at top of cowl.

The HAMB plate and a Pratt & Whitney plate (I think) inside the cab.

Last picture is a standard windshield (regardless of vertical dimension) is 43-3/4" wide at the top.

I'm new to all this and the person that built the car is in a coma-like state.

I hope that helps.

[32phil]

Is the body steel or "glass" ?
It looks likes a "glass" body, not an original Ford. If it is steel it may be a Brookville.
There is no way of telling if the dimensions of the cowl are the same as an original 32 (very rare) RPU.
The lower stanchions you have are 32 passenger car and they were never used on original 32 RPUs.
You may have to use taller passenger upper stanchions and then modify a new frame to fit.
Once it is cut to fit/modified you can have it replated.
Is it possible to lower the seat?
That's what I did on my roadster. It was a lot easier and way cheaper than redoing the windshield parts.

[Bob C]

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Your body looks like it's fiberglass. Below is a picture of an original open cab
pickup, you can see the bottom of the windshield is not close to the cowl top.

Bob

[TomOKC]

It may be a Brookville 32 RPU which is based on a 32 Roadster, not a pickup.

https://brookvilleroadster.com/models/28-32-pickup/

[TomOKC]

But it looks like this roadster w/ a pickup bed.

[Bob C]

Is the body steel or fiberglass??

Bob

[rotorwrench]

That original 1932 roadster pickup set up looks more similar to 28/29 model A open car than a 1932 roadster. That explains the windshield frame differences too.

[Fordors]

You state that it may be a Brookville, yet you have not answered the most basic question that was posed- is it steel or fiberglass? I’m putting my money on fiberglass.

[Krylon32]

It is not a Brookville RPU as I've had several and they all used a stock width windshield and stock stanchions and posts. It appears in your pictures to be a resemblance of a 32 RPU but not an accurate reproduction.

[DavidG]

Looking at the photos, there appears to be no seam between the firewall and the cowl, which strongly suggests fiberglass.

[TomOKC]

Probably fiberglass but a magnet will stick to surface.
May be steel under fiberglass.

[Karl Wescott]

In examining the photos several things stand out.

First, this is a roadster cowl. NOT A ROADSTER PICKUP. Material (glass or steel) is immaterial, what matters is the accuracy of shape.

Second is the windshield posts are set forward 2" or so from a stock location, this accounts for the narrow windshield frame.

Third the posts appear to be angled back more than stock. This accounts for the misalignment of the bottom of the windshield frame to the cowl and the dowels for the top mounts being at an angle.

You have a UNIQUE custom windshield system, short of replacing everything to "standard" anything you need to replace will have to be hand built.

[34pickup]

I agree with 32phil. May be easier and more expedient to lower the seat.