Wind Wings
 

Are the etched wind wings (for open Model A's) official Ford accessories?
What is the proper way to install them on an open Model A? I welcome your reactions!

Re: Wind Wings
 

I don’t think that Ford offered etched wind wings back then, but I’ve been wrong much of my almost 30 years of marriage.
On open cars the wind wing clamps bolt through the windshield stanchions.

Re: Wind Wings
 

I have a 29 Roadster that came with wind wings when I bought it and they are a PIA. The car has so much vibration they kept falling off. One time one fell off and luckily it landed on the Running Board. The next time I was able to catch it before it fell On the road!

The problem with the vibration is probably due to my tendency to over-rev the engine in low and second gears. I'm used to driving my Toyota Corolla with a five speed manual trans. Those small 4 bangers allow you to rev up the engine to 3-4K rpm easily. I've been told to shift the Model A quickly from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd.

Some guy told me to put some adhesive on the rubber pad and the glass but I haven't gotten around to it. I just took them off. I also understand the repo rubber pads need to be modified.

David Serrano

Re: Wind Wings
 

The repo vintique brackets have to be adjusted square on to have any chance of holding the glass.

To make it real secure, fit the glass then mark where the rubber is and sandblast that spot on both sides of the glass and the insides of the bracket, and use some locktite glue, they will never fall off then.

Re: Wind Wings
 

I have a different solution. Mine tended to fall out now and then and I figured it was because of the vibration and the weight of the glass. I have left the glass wings on the shelf and use Perspex replacements. They are much lighter and the rubber pads grip them well. The downside: they are more prone to scratching. The ones on my tourer have been there for about 10 years and 50-60 thousand miles.

Re: Wind Wings
 

This’s how they attach on my ‘28 roadster.
I had a similar experience with them coming loose and falling off.

Re: Wind Wings
 

Forgot to post the pictures...duh!

Re: Wind Wings
 

I have had four open cars that I have installed the wind wings on. With each one of them, on the pinch clamps, I had to drill and tap for US fasteners that would not strip out and would properly be long enough to hold the glass right and tight. Adhesive rubber pads give the pinch clamps that extra bite. I have had success every time, but not without a close study of where to make the adjustments of the pinch clamps. I wouldn't leave home without the wind wings, they make a big difference on the pleasure for your riding comfort.

Re: Wind Wings
 

I started out with perspex when I almost fell over when a glass co wanted $390 for a pair, but after a couple of years, you could pick they were perspex from the other side of the street and it spoiled the car..

I hunted around and got them for $150 , then sandblasted a nice little Model A logo at the bottom.

Re: Wind Wings
 

Have you got a Picture? Now I am Interested!

Re: Wind Wings
 

Great good Pictures! Thank You!

Re: Wind Wings
 

All Pictures about Wind Wings are Welcome!

Re: Wind Wings
 

Can't remember what I paid but I think it was about 10% of that. They saw you coming!

Re: Wind Wings
 

The black rubber strips that come with the pinch clamps did not work for me. Glass slid down and out of the clamps on first outing.

Replaced the black rubber with 3-M gray double sided body molding adhesive strips. Its also important to ensure the pinch clamps are parallel to the glass.

Glass wings now stay in place and I can keep both hands on the steering wheel as needed.

Re: Wind Wings
 

SSsssteamer,

I like your idea and would appreciate it if you could post a pictures of the US fasteners and how you installed them.

A lot of great ideas here. Thanks to all of you.

David Serrano

Re: Wind Wings
 

My car had wind wings on it when my Dad bought it in '64. Car was supposedly all original back then, but the wings could have been added at some point along the way. They are so old that they are slowly turning yellow. I have left them, never took them apart when car was refreshed in the 80's and they are very secure. No etching tho, never heard of that being original. Love 'em, they work great.

Re: Wind Wings
 

Probably I should have said SAE fasteners rather than US fasteners. The reproduction import wind wing clamps that we get have metric fasteners that are tapped too shallow and are poorly fitted to the wind wing clamps. The wind wing clamps have to clamp parallel and tightly to the glass to work properly. Properly fitting fasteners are a must and that is why I now always replace them with proper fitting fasteners. Having SAE taps and dies handy, is why I replace the metric fasteners with SAE fasteners. Nothing much more to it than that. Using proper fitting fasteners makes a big improvement.

Re: Wind Wings
 

Please post pictures of what they look like now.

Re: Wind Wings
 

Wind wing bracket photo taken from the right inside. You can see my new fasteners. They make a world of difference.

Re: Wind Wings
 

Yes. I can see them well. Thanks a lot.

David Serrano