To start, did you know that '49-52 Chevys had four different sizes of windshields (not even counting flat-glass pickups)? To order replacement glass (whether one-piece Olds or original Chevy) you have to know which one you need. The most common style includes two- or four-door coupes and sedans, as well as sedan deliveries. These are known as Styleline models, and they can come with or without stainless molding around the windshield. A slightly shorter windshield came in the fastback '49-52 cars (two- or four-door), which are collectively known as Fleetline models. When Chevy introduced its first hardtop model in '51, with a completely different roofline, it was essentially a chopped top, with not only an even shorter windshield, but a slightly different curvature as well. Convertibles of these years use the same windshields as the hardtops. Finally, the station wagon had a taller windshield than all of these.
Stainless trim that fits into...
Stainless trim that fits into the rubber seal around any windshield or back glass MUST be installed before the glass is put in the car. Mike started by slathering the channel with a lubricant similar to petroleum jelly.
The Chevy has two pieces of...
The Chevy has two pieces of stainless that go around the upper sides of the windshield.
But without the center bar,...
But without the center bar, small stainless clips are needed to bridge the gaps, top and bottom. Original Olds pieces are unobtainable, so The Glass House now offers these nice reproductions. Mike installed the upper trim and prepared the windshield to go in.
To get the correct one-piece windshield for your Chevy, order one from the corresponding Oldsmobile body style. Check the stamped metal ID tag on the upper right (passenger side) firewall to be positive of your Chevy's body style. It lists a body "Style No." starting with two digits the same as the year of your car. If you give this number to the glass shop ordering your windshield, they can check an interchange manual for the corresponding Olds body style and windshield.
While the Olds-to-Chevy windshield swap was common, we can only assume that similar-bodied '49-52 GM cars-such as '49 Olds, all Pontiacs, and some Buicks-with two-piece windshields will accept the one-piece Olds. But even Mike has little experience in this area, so we can't say for sure. As far as we know, none of the wagons (including Olds) had one-piece windshields.
Anytime you replace a windshield in an early car, you should install a new, fresh rubber seal to fit it. While removing the metal bar from the center of the windshield opening on '49-52 Chevys is simple, trying to modify a '49-52 windshield gasket to fit one-piece glass is not practical. You could try to get an Olds seal to match the windshield, but Chevy replacement rubber is much more plentiful. Chevy went to one-piece windshields for all models in 1953 and, while the glass will not interchange in earlier-year bodies, the much more pliable rubber gaskets will. This is the hot ticket. Order a '53-54 Chevy windshield gasket to fit the Olds glass in your '49-52 car. Chevy didn't make Fleetline bodies in '53-54, but the regular coupe/sedan gasket will fit the Styleline and Fleetline bodies. For the hardtop or convertible, use the corresponding '53 gasket. And, if your coupe or sedan has stainless trim around the windshield, be sure to order the gasket that has the groove to accept it.
If you've never seen an early...
If you've never seen an early car windshield installed, you'd never guess how it's done. With the rubber on the glass, and the stainless installed, Mike slathered more lubricant in the remaining channel and pressed a piece of clothesline rope into it, with the two loose ends crossing at the top. When that was done, he used some masking tape to hold it all in place.
Then he ran a thin, consistent...
Then he ran a thin, consistent bead of sealer around the outside lip of the opening in the car.
Next he deftly plopped the...
Next he deftly plopped the prepared windshield and gasket squarely onto the lower lip of the opening in the car. I'm amazed he can do this by himself, but I've seen him do it several times. He never misses.