Eternity Project: Windshield Replacement

Windshield replacement would be a relatively simple operation, but when it comes to old cars, surprises and obstacles cannot be avoided.

The first problem is, of course, finding a windshield, but there are still some available ones - and I got the glass with the car itself.

The second and third problem is finding a new seal and decorative strips (list, moulding). Both are "sold", but when you "buy" one or send an inquiry, they don't actually have them anymore.

I started the project in the summer with a windshield replacement, but the old seal with the listings was in so bad condition that I found the only sensible alternative to find either a new seal + strips or some used ones that would be as good as possible.

I asked for the seal around the world, but nothing was found.

The last ace in my sleeve: I asked from a manufacturer whose catalog included N10's rubber seals (catalog was from many years ago though).

I got an answer in a few days:

 - There is none available, because we don't manufacture these anymore.

Well, I guessed this, just asking...

It took four hours when the friendly customer service officer replied again:

- I checked the stocks and found five of these!

Awsome! I bought all of them.

This was in October-November 2018, and it was early of December when they finally arrived to Finland, after all the import taxes etc:

Finally, on Saturday 29th December I finally had the time to get the windshield installed - the mouldings are still missing, but they are fortunately also available.

Windshield installation is a relatively simple operation, but requires precision and a lot of patience. A few corners seemed to be unlikely to go in place, but it finally it did :)

Of course, "smaller" things been made, but no major things before finishing the windshield project.

Next, rear registration plate "holders" will probably be repaired, and then I will think about repairing the rear fenders and other metal / paintwork too.

As long as the cosmetic aspects have been dealt with, then the technical / mechanical side is considered - at least the brakes must be fixed and maybe something is done under the hood too.


-- Ilkka

Prologue

Hello everyone,


I have a Datsun Cherry N10 (1980) restoration project going on and I thought it would be best start a blog about it. This way it is easier to share pictures and info about the process, for those who are interested.

As daily drivers, I've had few Nissan Primera's, one Nissan Qashqai and currently a Nissan X-Trail. Even though I have been "misguided" and had a few other brands as well, I've always been a Nissan guy and now I' finally "home".

For a long time, I had been thinking about getting an older Nissan (Datsun) and finally in the summer of 2018, the pieces were put together and I headed with my family from Kerava to Hämeenlinna. One member of the NCF had been selling HB Cherry 1980 for a long time and the whole seemed be "doable" for an IT-engineer like me.

The car had been parked for years, but it was moved with its own "horses" from one place to another, so the "restoration" could finally start. Let's see how far the "restoration" eventually goes, or whether we have to make some compromises with it.

I got a lot of spare parts, but it was quickly revealed that some parts are really difficult, if not impossible to find.

I started the project in the summer with a windshield replacement, and I hoped that with the old seal the new glass could be installed, but a few cracks in the seal were too much for myself and I wanted to look for an intact seal, as well as a list (moulding) for the seal.

Finding a seal was challenging because they are simply available in Finland... or anywhere.  I was stuck with this situation to these days, but now I probably have the last seals in the world (or at least almost). I'll tell you more about this in the next "episode" shortly.

Here are some photos where everything started from:

-- Ilkka