A Custom Windshield for the STALKERV6

The standard STALKERV6 windshield, while sturdy and functional, is not the most attractive element of the car. Also, after a few thousand miles on the car, the original shield had developed scratches from removing bugs after each drive. Driving the car at night was becoming increasingly irritating due to the scratches, and the top of the windshield frame often obscured traffic signals.

Some STALKERV6 builders have fabricated alternative wind screens so I decided to try my hand at a custom shield since the windscreens can be quickly exhanged if necessary. During the course of building the doors for the car, I installed a plexi shield across the rollbar in an effort to stop the backflow of air into the cabin. The shield was totally ineffective, but it was large enough to provide the piece of plexi needed for building a prototype custom windscreen. The plexi had been purchased from Lowes and it was their "shatter-resistant" plexi which looks to me to be some flavor of Lexan. The plexi is only 0.118" thick which is pretty flimsy for a windshield. However, I figured if it turned out to be too flexy, I would at least have a pattern to use when it was time to cut out a shield from heavier stock.

Here is the prototype shield. The top of the shield extends only about one inch above the windshield posts which puts the top of the screen a couple of inches below my eye level. The first drive with the new shield was at night and only a couple of bugs hit my head since most of the air is deflected over the driver. It seems to me there is less buffeting from air entering the cabin from the rear or sides.

The shield has more curvature than the standard shield. This was done for asthetic purposes and to add rigidity to the shield. Getting the curve cut properly into the plexi was a matter of fit and trim...fit and trim....fit and trim...

In case you are wondering what this thing is, the 0.118" plexi was much too flexible for my comfort. This brace was fashioned to support the center of the shield and the mounting is incorporated into the attachment of the mirror. The bracket was fabricated from a combination of scrap body panel, a couple pieces of leftover standard windshield channel, and a length of 3/8" aluminum tubing. It also secures the shield at the bottom which prevents the shield from walking around on the cowl.

While driving, the brace is not noticable but it no doubt insults the fashion tastes of some builders. If 1/4" plexi is used for the final version of the shield, I don't think the brace will be necessary. I've had the car up to near triple-digit speed with the new shield, and it is rock-solid with no flexing whatever.

Some angles were bent from body panel scraps and the whole deal is held together with stainless flush-head screws and acorn nuts. The rubber molding is from Wicks Aircraft and is a simple U-channel and stays in place without any adhesive.

The mirror is from Victoria British, part number 15-356.

I think the new windshield looks quite nice! Instead of detracting from the lines of the car, the shield actually complements the racing heritage of the STALKERV6. Being able to look over the frameless top of the shield is especially nice once the shield has collected a few bugs. More than likely I will build a final version out of heavier material and will add another inch to the height of the shield.

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