Windshield Replacement for the 1963-1970 Lotus Cortina
Working on a classic 1963-1970 Lotus Cortina isn't just another job in the shop. These lightweight legends were built for the track, but after 50-plus years on the road, original windshields get pitted, scratched, or completely cracked. Sourcing the right glass for a Mark I or Mark II takes connections, but installing it so it stays dry and secure takes actual hands-on experience. Old cars have quirks, and you need a tech who knows how to handle an aging metal frame.
If you own one of these British icons in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), you already know how hard it is to find a shop you trust. We regularly pack up the mobile unit to service classic car owners in Vaughan, Richmond Hill, and Markham. We bring the garage right to your driveway so your Cortina doesn't have to risk a sketchy tow or a drive with blown-out glass.
Our Step-by-Step Installation Process
Classic car glass installation is a different animal compared to swapping the windshield on a modern commuter. Even though these older Fords and Lotuses originally used gasket seals, many owners now want a modern adhesive approach to stop the notoriously bad 1960s water leaks. Here is exactly how we handle the job:
- Protecting the Interior: We start by covering your dash, steering wheel, and original upholstery with heavy-duty protective blankets. We respect the time and money you put into your restoration.
- Careful Removal: We extract the old windshield and trim. The old rubber seals are usually baked hard like plastic, so we cut them out slowly by hand to avoid bending your original, hard-to-find chrome trim.
- Surface Cleaning & Prep: This is where classic cars hide nasty surprises. We strip the pinch weld down and clean out decades of dirt. If we find surface rust, we treat it. The metal has to be completely bare, clean, and solid before we move forward.
- Primer Application: We brush a specialized, rust-inhibiting glass primer onto the bare metal frame and the edge of the new windshield. This step guarantees the glue actually bites into the surface and holds.
- High-Quality Adhesive Installation: We lay down a thick, consistent bead of premium automotive urethane. We then drop the new glass perfectly into the frame. Using modern adhesive gives the Cortina better structural rigidity and finally puts an end to those annoying dash leaks.
Trust AlexWindshield with Your Classic
You don't want a rookie practicing on your Lotus. At AlexWindshield, we treat your vintage ride with the respect it deserves. We provide fully mobile auto glass services across the GTA, bringing top-tier materials and decades of shop know-how right to your door. Every replacement we do is backed by our Lifetime Warranty against leaks and wind noise. Give us a call, and let's get your Cortina back out on the road where it belongs.