Interesting little thing happend .....

So I was driving my 328 down Hwy 400 here in Atlanta about a month ago coming back from Atlanta Motorsports Park, driving about 65MPH, when all of a sudden I hear what seemed to me to be an explosion, Baammmm! I mean it was LOUD. so I look down at the gauges, - nothing out of the ordinary, the car keeps driving fine, so then I look around and that is when I notice a big white looking hole in the passengers side windshield... it looked like someone had shot me! I literally started to look around to see if I was hurt, then when I calmed down I noted that what looked like a hole was not all the way through.

So what ever it was made a huge crack - crater in the glass. then the cracking started all over the place. So I make it home and still have no idea what hit me, but I assumed it was either a large rock, or perhaps a lug nut.... fast forward to our monthly Ferrari gathering and one of the guys from FOA was there, we are talking about it and he says - "that was a golf ball!" - and bam it hits me I was driving right next to Top Golf! talk about a hole in 1!!!

so now its on to the insurance claim, and finding the replacement windshield. I use State Farm on an agreed value policy.... I have to say my agent was great, knowing it was going to be expensive and complicated for a Ferrari he went through the whole claim process with me on the phone, and got it all approved....

now the fun part.. .where do you find the original type glass for a 1986 328 GTS? - well right at FOA! the former owner had a piece in their inventory - still in the crate. it was exactly the right brand - Siglia - and year.. so now that is mine... then you need the moulding... that was a bit harder but we sourced one in California... as of last week there were only 3 original 328 windshields for US Market cars... and about a dozen aftermarket available from Japan to Germany.... total cost estimate .....


$6500.00

now every time I look out of the car I'll think of Ed Wettach!

 

You are one lucky man!

 

Im glad you didnt get anything from the impact

And very happy you found replacement for the window

Regards

Julio

 

Is the moulding damaged? If not, with a bit of patience and careful work, it's possible to reuse the molding. What we did, when I had to replace my windshield after stone chipping caused it to crack. And I'm almost sure, that even the labour in a workshop for this is cheaper, than a new moulding.

Best Regards
Martin

 

If anyone knows me here knows I can pretty much relate to your story except it took me 9 months and 7 different windshield before I finally found one that fit.

 

OUCH!!! I'm hoping this is not a repeat of that, but it still could be....

 

I think the goal will be to try to save the moulding... but given its original and been on there for 30 years... not sure. Its being installed by a Ferrari expert... so I know I'm in good hands....

 

Its a rather large part, the molding, and easily kinked....plus probably sand pitted from wear.

It does add ($1000?) to the job, but "might as well"..good news indeed about the crated glass!!

 

Those damn golfers!

 

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This is the golf ball impact


Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat

 

We have one of those top golfs here and I have worried a little about this myself

 

So glad we (Ferrari of Atlanta) were able to help. Keeping these great cars as original as possible is getting more and more difficult and I know how much you love your 328. Fingers crossed the install goes as planned.

 

wow, $6500, wow. I should part out my car. Between the glasses and the fog lights, that is $20K alone. Motor and gearbox $15K. Why sell the car for cheap?

I wonder how much the curved rear glass go for?

 

I live on a private golf course and had a windshield broken in the past. Luckily, not in the Ferrari! I was fortunate enough to see person who drove the ball. He paid for the windshield ($100 USD) for my old truck. On a different truck, I had a ball strike the grill while driving (no damage). Since I only drive the Ferrari on nice days (when people play golf), I am always on the lookout for players on certain fairways. Back in the '80's I parked my RX-7 in the lot next to clubhouse (public course) and came back to find a dent in my hood from a ball. I am starting to dislike golf.

 

I hit my own car in the parking lot of my golf course. lol. It dented my fender. (not the Ferrari)

 

That's even worse!

 

Wow there sure was some velocity behind that ball! Glad you came out unscathed.
Another wow to 6500 and I’m not gonna even ask about the fog lights that another poster mentioned!