bonded-in windshields

[JHertzman@domain.elided]

In AD7-787 Jerry Lewis questions the statement that "These cars use a 
bonded-in windshield which forms part of the structural rigidity of the car. 
The car should not be driven until the bond has properly set" and writes 
instead "Not all Alfa's use the bonded in windshield.  AFAIK, not since 
before the Alfetta."

WADR, AFIK this is backwards or at least sideways. None of the pre-Alfetta 
Alfas which used bonded windshields did it for structural reasons; the 
Berlinas and GT Veloces were designed with gasketed windshield and the bonded 
windshields were fitted in the USA (but not, I believe, in any other market) 
strictly as a glass retention expedient in case of accidents. The Alfetta was 
very definitely engineered to use a bonded-in windshield which forms part of 
the structural rigidity of the car, according to Italian publications at the 
time, and used them from 1972 until the 2000 was introduces in 1977. With the 
'78 the Alfetta reverted to gasketed windshields, but with detailing and 
material selection which made them much more secure and probably somewhat 
contributory to the structure.

John H.

------------------------------