The windshield regulator has been called by some: a windshield crank mechanism, windscreen, or window crank. 

Before automobiles had air conditioning, drivers needed a way to get cool air into the vehicles. The windshield would crank out allowing air to flow into the cab of the moving car or truck.

Building Legacy

Today classic car owners enjoy the cool air that functioning regulators bring into their vehicles. Guests, even children, get a kick out of seeing the windshield open and closed when the windshield regulator is cranked.

How Windshield Regulators Function

The windshield handle fits on the crank shaft. When turned, the crank shaft within the housing engages the sprocket shaft. The sprocket shaft which spins on an axel feeds the tape. The tape feeds through the housing up through the dash. At the end of the tape is the swivel mounting bracket which fastens to the windshield frame.

01.
Buy a Used Windshield Regulator, as seen on eBay

When searching on places like eBay, you are likely to discover that used regulators in good condition are in short supply. You also may find that if you buy a used one, the seller is giving you no guarantees and they often inaccurately identify the correct year and model of the windshield regulators. This is understandable considering the age and pot metal (also known as die-cast, or monkey metal) that the housings were made out of.

In addition to the housing being brittle, the gears are often more worn than noted in pics, causing slippage in feeding the tape through the unit.

02.
Rebuild / Rebuilt a Windshield Regulator

Y our next option is to have a used windshield regulator rebuilt. This was the best option folks had up to a few years ago. After many hours searching the internet, we found most of the older posts suggest this approach. 

Credit: PicClick

We have had folks come to us in disappointment with their new rebuilt regulator not functioning up to expectations.  Unfortunately, rebuilding a windshield regulator is not without risk. The quality of the rebuild is largely based on the quality of the unit OR the workmanship invested. Making sure the parts are functioning together well within the housing is of utmost importance. 

If you choose this route, people are willing to rebuild it for about the cost of new units. If you decide to do it yourself, you may need replacement components such as a crank shaft, sprocket shaft, or tape. The problem that is encountered sometimes is new parts that are installed when engaged with older worn parts can cause binding between the gears and can cause damage to the housing and or new part.  

Check out our
Windshield Regulators!

03.
Buy an Aftermarket (newly manufactured) Windshield Regulator

T he final option is to buy a newly manufactured windshield regulator. There are not many people manufacturing these parts. “This Ole’ Coupe” is the leading expert on windshield regulators. We seldom rebuild because of the fragile pot metal housings. We stand behind our machine parts if we do decide to take on a rebuild job. Our senior machinist has over 40 years in the industry and has learned the lost trade secrets of machining these classic car parts.

Over the years we have acquired a collection of many makes and models of windshield regulators in which we meticulously studied the original designs which allowed us to recreate quality replicas. We even respectfully made a few improvements to the original designs.

Our new windshield regulators are manufactured with cast aluminum housings, quality steel, and stainless steel parts. They are hand machined to ensure our guarantee of superior workmanship.

Meet the Senior Machinist!

How Much Does a Windshield Regulator Cost?

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There are three options to buy a windshield regulator.

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The first option is to buy a used windshield regulator. The typical cost for a used original windshield regulator can range anywhere from $300 to $800 dollars depending on the seller and condition of the regulator. If it is in poor condition, you may need to have it rebuilt. 

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Now you are thinking, ” Why would I need to rebuild a used regulator?”

That is a great question. It is not easy to find an original windshield regulator in excellent condition and the odds of finding one at what may seem a reasonable price are few and far in between. 
The second option is to buy a rebuilt windshield regulator. The cost to rebuild a regulator can run between $300 to $700 depending on the vehicle’s make and model. Unfortunately, there can be unforeseen inherent problems when some original parts are utilized in the rebuild, such as wallowed bores of the original pot metal housings that can cause the gears to bind.

Custom – Built Windshield Regulator

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The third option is to buy a newly manufactured windshield regulator.  One of the leading experts in custom-built windshield regulators is “This Ole Coupe.” We carry a legacy of handcrafting each part to custom-build windshield regulators for vintage cars or trucks. We stand behind our windshield regulators assuring that each customer is completely satisfied with their purchase. The cost for each new quality handcrafted windshield regulator is $425.00. A purchase from “This Ole’ Coupe,” is a guaranteed high quality, fully functioning, aftermarket replica. 

Satisfaction Guaranteed!

THIS OLE COUPE

Contact us to get started

We’d love to hear from you and custom build your next dream project. Drop us a line and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

This Ole Coupe
Lancaster, PA 17601

Email: ThisOleCoupe@yahoo.com
Phone: 717-808-6612

While you’re there stop by and say, “Hi” to us at This Ole’ Coupe.

Windshield Regulators Custom Made Parts

We are excited to share with you the annual trade show is hosted by Antique Automobile Club of America!

Come on down and experience a weekend to remember!

February 8th – February 9th 2019

Kit has been keeping busy in the shop working on various projects…we just finished two Throw Out Bearing Yokes for a Deusenburg…now that was a challenge to be sure!

Even though challenges come along in all kinds of projects, what really drives us is our desire to please folks and meet their auto needs. Its our goal to make sure folks are treated the same way,  we’d like to be treated and that they’re satisfied with our work.

If we can help you to be “Driving the Dream” stop by space C4V-28 on the Chocolate Field North at this year’s Hershey Fall Meet.

We really enjoyed introducing ourselves last year at the Fall Meet and are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year. 

Kit has been keeping busy in the shop working on various projects…we just finished two Throw Out Bearing Yokes for a Deusenburg…now that was a challenge to be sure! 

Even though challenges come along in all kinds of projects, what really drives us is our desire to please folks and meet their auto needs. Its our goal to make sure folks are treated the same way,  we’d like to be treated and that they’re satisfied with our work.

If we can help you to be “Driven the Dream”, stop by space C4V-28 on the Chocolate Field North at this year’s Hershey Fall Meet.  

82nd Annual Meeting and Trade Show AACA

This is an exciting event, so grab a cup of cocoa and a honey bun! Bring your family out to share your passion with the next generation! This is an opportunity to explore the love you have for vintage cars and trucks. We are proud to say “This Ole Coupe” has been handpicked as one of the specialty vendors with AACA Meeting and Trade Show. We are a fully functional Mom and Pop Machine Shop, specializing in manufacturing windshield regulators for antique cars and trucks. Kit will consider ANY machining project for your vintage cars and trucks needs. Our motto is “You Break It, We Make It!” It is really that simple, we machine new auto parts for your antique automobile needs. Troubleshooting is really what we do best!

Windshield Regulators and Custom Made Part

We are excited to share with you the annual trade show is hosted by Antique Automobile Club of America!

Come on down and experience a weekend to remember!

 February 8 – February 10 2018

 Feb 8th 3:00 PM to Feb 10 at 6:30 PM

 Located at  

(Nov 18th-Dec 31, 2017)

AACA Museum, Inc.
161 Museum Drive
Hershey, PA 17033

This is an opportunity to get in the Christmas spirit in a fun and unique way with the whole family. AACA Museum has done it again sharing our history in a fun and exciting way. There are dozens of themed decorated Christmas trees, vehicles that you have never seen before, and model train exhibits and that just getting started. There will be a Grinch Scavenger Hunt that everyone will enjoy especially the kiddos.

What is Christmas without sharing and caring for others so the AACA Museum is teaming up with Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Toys for Tots for a food and toy “drive” throughout the holidays. Head over to http://www.aacamuseum.org/cars-christmas-at-the-aaca-museum/ to learn more.

December 1st will be the annual Polar Express Pajama Party! This will be very exciting and possibly your family new favorite tradition. There will be food for the kids and the showing of “The Polar Express” movie and of course the will have a visit with the museum conductor. Click here to purchase online. I believe you can buy at the Museum ticket counter, or over the phone at 717-566-7100 ext.100

If you enjoy these articles please bookmark us or add our link http://thisolecoupe.com/ to your website or social media as a way of saying thank you. – Thank You