Pros and cons of tinting windows.

[jnfweber]

I bought my '57 President Classic as a California "low rider", tinted windows, worn out front springs, and 2 inch lowering blocks on back. I decided that it was a good "rust free" California car, worthy of some restoration effort, since it ran well, drove well, and stopped well. Besides, it is roomy enough for 6 large people and rides well. So far it has not overheated in southern California traffic, and I fixed the main operating problems with minimal cost, replacing the front springs, one front wheel cylinder, and re-setting the floats in the carburetor, as well as relocating the fuel filter into its proper location.

Since I occasionally act as a judge at meets, I knew the window-tint film would detract from the score, and for this reason, set about to remove the film, which is quite easy in the June California sun, by just setting the windows, or car, out in the sun and applying dark blue towels over the windows, and then applying hot tap water and letting them set for about an hour. I had some second thoughts as I was peeling off the film, thinking it was nice that the film would keep the car cooler, and indeed, made it look "cooler" as well. Anyway, I discovered some slight bubbling along the cut edges of the windows, which was hardly noticeable under the film. Of course, there is always the "privacy" aspect of the tinted windows, which is now gone.

Regarding judging, I have actually enjoyed meets a lot more where I was not a judge, and when my car was entered "for display only". I had a lot more time to walk around and see a lot more cars, talk to the owners, and get out of the sun. I don't have to spend a lot of time at the meet dusting, polishing, and making last-minute adjustments to the car. Of course, you must realize that I have seldom had a car judged that went over 375 points. So this car will never be judged, but it is unique enough that most Studebaker owners will appreciate its rarity, and most non-Studebaker general public will say, "That's a nice looking car, is it a Pontiac?" Here's a few photos, and a link.




<a href="http://s1198.photobucket.com/user/jn...7b94b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4997b94b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1957Studebaker_zps4997b94b.jpg"/></a>

[StudeDave57]

most non-Studebaker general public will say, "That's a nice looking car, is it a Pontiac?"

Gotta give 'em some credit Jack- they aren't too far off~












StudeDave '57

[57pack]

Don't know about California motor vehicle law. Here in NJ, the tint on the front drivers and front passenger side windows will cost you a $55.00 ticket plus court cost.
The 57 looks better without it IMO, but I'm an old fart.

[rockne10]

In Pennsylvania, any front windshield tint that is not factory est verbotten! And I think the fines are higher than $55.
Front door window tints cannot exceed a certain percentage, while I don't believe there are restrictions from there back. Simple logic would be, if it decreases the driver's ability to see, don't add it! My S-10 came from Texas with factory tint on windshield, light tint on doors and heavy on the rear. It's a little frustrating to back up at night. The window tint interferes with back up lights.
Strange thing in Pennsylvania, which has some of the strictest inspection standards, an inspection station cannot fail your annual safety inspection for window tint, but a cop can issue a ticket and force you to have it removed.
Pros and cons? The tint will definitely keep your interior cooler and help protect your fabrics and dash from fading and cracking; also less draw on air conditioning, if so equipped.

I've never been a judge, and you would need to check with the SDC authority, but I suspect non-factory tint would only deduct a few points in SDC judging and, short of other factors, would not in and of itself prevent a first place standing.

I would suggest, within the limits of your own state laws, just be smart. What are you doing in the back seat that you don't want folks to know about anyway?

[jnfweber]

Gotta give 'em some credit Jack- they aren't too far off~

StudeDave '57

At least Studebaker maintained the continuity with it's new '53 models, while Pontiac did not.

[Bullet]

There is another alternative to the dark tint. 3M makes a tint that is clear or a couple other shades from that. It is not cheap, but cuts out the UV light that does the most damage to the interior and yet helps keep the car cooler. On the zero tint you can not tell that it is tinted. The stuff is called 3MCrystaline.

An alternative. On the clear you can put it on the front windshield.

Mark

[StudeRich]

I guess Dark tinted glass has a purpose for some people, in very hot Climates, NOT here and NEVER on the Illegal front side glass, but they still DO IT.

But IMO it is very disturbing to not be able to see who or what is driving a Car and their intentions are much easier to figure out when you can actually SEE them!

Then there is the following BEHIND a Blacked out Car that you can not see the Cars ahead to anticipate their actions.

[Noxnabaker]

Pontiac??? Ah c'mon, how 'bout -57 Chrysler then?

[JoeHall]

Since 1986 when I moved to the California desert, I have not had a driver Stude that was not tinted. Factory tint is probably around 15% and is OK, but marginal to me. Without even a factory tint there's way too much "greenhouse effect". I use factory tint style windshields, and get the side and rear windows tinted at 30%. The 30% helps the AC work better, reduces greenhouse effect, looks cool, does not look too dark from inside or out, and will not get you a ticket.

Lots of tinting shops have difficulty tinting the concave rear windshields on 56-64 Stude Hawks, and one guy at a tint shop in the California high desert gave up trying once, but another guy in Palm Springs did it w/o any problems. So its important to find a good tinter who knows his/her business.

I was told the reason for California's stiff penalty on dark tint is because law enforcement wanted to be able to see the vehicle occupants and what they were doing, which makes sense to me. But I still saw MANY vehicles in obvious violation, and never heard of anyone being cited. I think its a "tack on" for other violations, or was when I last lived there in 2000.

The GT we are currently on tour in has tinted windows, and we will pass by Laughlin, NV today, where it is supposed to hit 109 degrees, so very glad the windows are tinted

[evilhawk]

I like the tinted glass and plan to do the same on my 59.

[JRoberts]

The previous owner of my Champ tinted the back and side windows of the truck. He had them approved as legal in North Carolina. Still the tint is very dark and I find when looking into the rear view mirror at night I find it hard to see the cars behind me, but the headlights from cars coming towards me in front of me show up great in the mirror. Also I get reflections from the dash lights as well. The reflections at times can be a little unnerving. At night it is hard to see clearly what is in the outside rear view mirrors. I love the way the dark tint looks, from the outside, but when driving at night I don't love it so much.

[jnfweber]

Pontiac??? Ah c'mon, how 'bout -57 Chrysler then?

Since this is the briefest quote, I will use it for my response to ALL the considerate and well-considered replies to my post. '57 Chrysler, Really? They must have imported one of the '53-'54 Chryslers to Sweden & Holland and called them "1957 Chrysler". '57 Chryslers had giant wrap-around windshields and giant fins, not so for Studebaker, where the Presidents grew fins in 1958 but still had the GM style "wraparound windshield" from mid 1955.



Regarding California heat, sun, fading of interior, cops, and night vision, I am sort of sorry I removed the dark film. It does look neat, does keep the car cooler (my car has AC, and I will try to use the original compressor (it fits well). For the cops, sort of a non-question here in SoCal, where people drive 80-85 on the I-5 and are never stopped unless changing lanes frequently, and all side windows and vents were tinted. Doubt if a cop would notice, although with a "low rider" he might call out the drug-sniffing dog. All good, and entertaining comments. And that is the point of this forum.

That green '57 President is the one on Craig's list for $1,000. Looks like a good deal, unless rusted out. Missing some trim items. such as the "President" logo and the crossed V-8 flags on the front fender and the 5 "louvers" on the back fender. Suggests a repaint job and "mild custom." My car will spend most of it's time in a garage, so bleaching of upholstery and dash should not be a problem...at least until my heirs sell it to settle my estate. That is probably how all of my "collectables" will end up.

[JoeHall]

Looks like window tint technology has came a long way. While out in LA recently, I noticed my son's black Toyota has windows that are tinted nearly as black as the car, I'd guess about a 75-90 percent rating. However, from the inside looking out, they looked more like about 30 percent rating. He said it was new technology by 3M (Chrystalline), which really helps keeps the car cool inside, but quite expensive. I doubt there'd be any trouble seeing with the backup lights in that car, nor seeing out the side windows at night.

I did some reading on Chrystalline, and it is 3M's latest, and they tout the same as my son described it. In yesteryear technology, tints were just as dark from the inside looking out, as from the outside looking in. If I lived in the southwest, all my Studes would be tinted with that 3M Chrystalline, "correct" or not.

Studes' OEM type AC is marginal anyway, and needs all the help it can get. I believe this stuff would help a lot. Don't quite think I need it here on the east coast though.

Only downfall I see, it is currently only available at 3M authorized installation facilities. In other words, it's expensive.

[jclary]

I'm glad to see others mention the "Pontiac" association regarding the design of these Studebaker sedans. In my youth, I often mistakenly identified these as Pontiacs. Good to know I was not alone.

To the original poster of this thread...thanks for saving the car. It deserves the effort. I hope it brings you great pleasure and enjoyment.

[JoeHall]

There is another alternative to the dark tint. 3M makes a tint that is clear or a couple other shades from that. It is not cheap, but cuts out the UV light that does the most damage to the interior and yet helps keep the car cooler. On the zero tint you can not tell that it is tinted. The stuff is called 3MCrystaline.

An alternative. On the clear you can put it on the front windshield.

Mark

Mark,
I did not see your comments about 3M Chrystalline before posted mine. Sorry bout that, but it looks like great stuff, and I liked it on my son's car.
No matter, this thread has been hijacked anyway, and perhaps should be re-titled, Pontiac v. Studebaker