Cracked Windshield; Replace or leave original?
 

Hello Pelicans,

I'm looking for opinions relating to value/originality. I have an 83 SC that is completely unmolested and all original. The car currently has just under 71K miles; all paint is factory and so is the windshield. It is truly a beautiful car but I'm at a point where I think I may part ways with the car.

The windshield has a crack in the lower right side from the bottom edge of the glass up about 3 1/2" (The attached picture shows where the crack stops at the bottom of the blue tape.) I had always planned to leave the glass alone as the crack has not changed in the last 2 years (it looks like it may have been stop-drilled) and it is in no way bothersome when driving. The glass is believed to be original as it is stamped "Sigla" and "Made in West Germany."

I think I know the answer already but should I replace the glass with new factory Porsche glass (Pilkington I believe) or should I just leave it alone? Will the cracked glass reduce the value should I decide to sell or would it be preferred?


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1586407126.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1586407126.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1586407126.JPG

The cracked glass reduces the value. That said, on a car like yours. I'd probably leave it for the next owner to take care of. It may be be hard to recoup the cost of new, quality windshield when you sell.

If it were me I would try to find an original and include it with the sale of the car and let the next owner decide when to install.

Windshields are a maintenance item that also provides structural rigidity in an accident. Replace it.

This is when the being “all original” thing is taken too far, when one sacrifices their own safety due to the perceived value loss of removing an “original” part when it needs it. Replace it. Keep the cracked one if you’d like, but replace it.

Mileage isn’t low enough to matter.

If I was buying a car with a broken windshield, I'd factor the replacement cost into my offer.

I'd fix it. As stated, windshields are just another consumable on a car that has been driven. On a 71k car original glass isn't going to move the bar on pricing. The car might not pass inspection in some places, and it's just an immediate hassle for a potential buyer. First impressions are everything.

Like ancient, original tires - as a buyer I'd wonder why you didn't replace it.

Cracks aren’t patina.

Ronnie would beg to differ.

When I sold my 930 all of the glass with the exception of the windshield was original. The prospective buyer was not concerned with that as he said "a 34 year old car is bound to have had a windshield replaced". Most buyers should understand but you can always look for an original windshield on line and use that to replace it.

Talking about glass here, not plumbers...

As mentioned above nothing special about the mileage so just replace it and drive on.

Exactly. And if it's neglected what else was? Original plugs and wires? Was it parked and ignored for years? It presents as poor owners more than all original.

Really?:confused:

The only cars that I "might" worry about "glass" are not G bodies. If you check wrecking yards you might find a nice used one.

Downside is most won't ship.

dC AutomotiveOver 140,000 square feet of new and used Porsche parts

I can't really tell from that picture the severity of the crack.

I'd probably continue to ignore it. If I was selling the car private party, I would disclose it and let the next owner decide what to do.

It appears to run all the way to the bottom edge. My personal concern would be invisible leakage and rust.