Sun Visor Thoughts?

rambos_ride

Rambo's having a tough night - so I'm poking around the forum and see this picture in another thread - NOTE the visor looks like it's going to lift off!

http://www.classiccar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14857

I've always liked the look of the visor but don't care for the center brackets and unless I have a poor repop visors on both the 49 and 50 the sheet metal is surprisingly thin - probably 20 gauge so deforms quite easily.

I had thoughts of creating an inner skeleton out of 1/4-3/8 round bar and bonding the visor to the framework with epoxy rather than welding because of the thin sheet metal the visors are made of.

Another thought I had was using a punch flare setup like Bent Metal bought before me :mad:

The one with the most Toys wins

Creating holes with a flared edge possibly this would help stiffen the visor if done correctly...?

I wonder if it would whistle?

I also have a fiberglass sun-visor from Big Jims (not sure they sell them anymore) but I don't think I'll be using it.

Thoughts - other ideas?

SuperDave

Dan,

I have an original sun visor on my 49 four door. I too think it's cool. At 75+ MPH it has a tendancy to flutter and make a unearthly noise in the car. I've tried moving it around a bit, up, down etc. No imporovement. When it was mounted higher, It hit the radio antenna and sounded like a main bearing knock! The radio didn't like it either. The center bracket is essential. Without it.. well I don't want to think about it.. Your idea of reinforcing with tubeing sounds like the way to go. Along with a center mount of some type. I certainly wouldn't put any holes in it.

Might end up sounding like a steam train whistle! I have been told that The 54's with the one piece windshield had a center mount that bolted through the roof. (I don't know if that interfered with the center mounted antenna)I think the 54 Chevy had a similar system. I did install fiberglass visors on vans back in the 80's. They seemed to work OK, Just used sheet metal screws to mount them. They all attached at the center.I never had any complaints.

Gas mileage be damned..Lookin' cool is king.

Unknown

Dan

I gave an aluminum visor to my friend. It required repair due to a tear which occurred during hi speed driving. I suggested to my friend a repair based on the use of a formed rod along the front edge of the visor. By welding the aluminum rod to the visor the proper stiffness need to prevent the flutter experienced with OEM and aftermarket visors on Hudson Stepdowns.

I know the visor was repaired but do not know if the rod technique was used.

rambos_ride

Heart Of Texas wrote:

Dan

I gave an aluminum visor to my friend. It required repair due to a tear which occurred during hi speed driving. I suggested to my friend a repair based on the use of a formed rod along the front edge of the visor. By welding the aluminum rod to the visor the proper stiffness need to prevent the flutter experienced with OEM and aftermarket visors on Hudson Stepdowns.

I know the visor was repaired but do not know if the rod technique was used.

You know - The visor I bought for the 49 I never took out of the box and I never really looked at the visor on the 50 until your post - to my surprise they are Aluminum ~ that explains a lot about all the problems with them getting outta shape! (He-He - now I think I've justified to myself a good enough reason to invest in a TIG welder )

I wonder what the rationale, technical decision was made to make that piece from aluminum? And it also explains the green coat primer.

FYI - just for fun I'm also talking to a friend of mine who can do layup with pre-preg carbon-fibre - I might donate the Big Jims fiberglass one for a mold and see what he could do...that would be pretty cool for something different a carbon-fibre visor!

duncan

Hi All We are looking for a sunvisor to fit a 54 Hornet Hollywood.

thanks duncan:D

Unknown

Duncan

Check with Dave Sollen when he returns from the HET nationals. He has one on his 54 Convertible.

Unknown

Good luck Duncan I've been looking for one for about 5 years for my 54 wasp.

rambos_ride

Jimalberta wrote:

Good luck Duncan I've been looking for one for about 5 years for my 54 wasp.

The visor on the black convert Ken posted looks like the same one for a 48-52

But the one shown on the green car looks different - like a Fullerton visor or another make?

Unknown

I have an original aluminum visor on my '49 and did a rod mod to help with the movement. I did not weld it its just rolled but that keeps it rigid at 110+ mph. Also be aware the you put the center brackets on right side up. A HET friend had the bracket on wrong and did not get it right until 3 windshields later.

[Deleted User]

Heart Of Texas wrote:

Dan



I gave an aluminum visor to my friend. It required repair due to a tear which occurred during hi speed driving. I suggested to my friend a repair based on the use of a formed rod along the front edge of the visor. By welding the aluminum rod to the visor the proper stiffness need to prevent the flutter experienced with OEM and aftermarket visors on Hudson Stepdowns.



I know the visor was repaired but do not know if the rod technique was used.

I was the recipient friend of Ken Gates sun visor gift for my ’53 Hornet coupe and as per his suggestion had a local shop on Spring Mountain Blvd., located in Las Vegas repair the aluminum visor; Ken’s recommendation of welding aluminum rod to the visor was used by talented welder which reinforced sun visor stiffness. I never received the benefit of using repaired visor, but welder assured me the visor shouldn’t give me any problems with high speed diving. I wish I still had visor and car, but that's another long story; earlier this year I purchased NOS sun visor on eBay for my ‘52 restoration which is progressing on schedule, we'll working on car Thursday and Friday and hope to post additional progress pictures this weekend.



Thanks again Ken,



Ray

Huddy42

Have a sun visor fitted to our 1965 Rambler Classic, does not have a centre support, and do not have any trouble with it at speed, it is made of steel, that may be the answer. Sorry it's on a Rambler, but would not entertain the idea of putting one on our 1942 Hudson Brougham.LOL.

[Deleted User]

I believe I read somewhere that the 54 Hornet had the same windshield as the 55 Hornet. If that is true then it is entirely possible a 54 Sun visor would fit my 55 Hash. I would really like to find a visor for the Hash and I know that some of the 55 Nash had sunvisors but I think they will be rarer than Hornet visors. I am in the market if someone knows of a 54/55 visor for sale.



Harry

duncan

I have been to lots of swapmeets and found several sunvisors but they were made of plastic yellow blue green and maybe

red would one of these look good on our 54 Hornet Hollywood?

I also found a 52 Hornet 4 dr with a sunvisor on it and it had divit in the middle of the sunvisor next to the roof so it could fit

snugly to roof and would not hit roof antenna. But the old goat said he had another car with the same sunvisor on it but wont

sell it. Will the bracket that holds the center of the sunvisor to the roof work with a roof antenna. duncan

Unknown

Harry Hill wrote:

I believe I read somewhere that the 54 Hornet had the same windshield as the 55 Hornet. If that is true then it is entirely possible a 54 Sun visor would fit my 55 Hash. I would really like to find a visor for the Hash and I know that some of the 55 Nash had sunvisors but I think they will be rarer than Hornet visors. I am in the market if someone knows of a 54/55 visor for sale.



Harry

This Ebay seller seems to know alot about Fulton visor and may be able to help you. I would send them an email. Ron

http://myworld.ebay.com/loupeestuff

RL Chilton

O.k., my .02-cents worth:



Dave Sollon has a visor on his black '54 convertible. It is the same visor used and designed for a 48-52. He and Ken Schulte fabricated a custom center bracket for this visor. Don't know if Dave checks the Street Rod Section or not, but I would contact him and he can show a picture of how they solved their problem.



Dan-



For what it's worth, Doc has been up to 126 mph with the visor mounted. It is properly mounted and a metal visor, not aluminum or fiberglass. I'm also putting one on the convertible and already have an NOS one in stock awaiting for the car to be ready.



How did the visor do at high speed? At 85-90 the front edge halfway between the edge and the center bracket starts to flutter a little bit, but no noise. Surprisingly, at about 110, the flutter goes away and is just under a lot of stress from wind.



If I had an aluminum one, I would most definately put a stiffener under the front edge curl, at the least. A round aluminum rod would look and function the best--and weld it in. I also think a total framework would be unsightly, however from inside the car. I wouldn't use a fiberglass one. I'd manufacture a steel one before I put a fiberglass one on, just my personal preference.



Also, I personally love the visors, particularly on the step-downs. Only other requirement is a Guide Viewer mounted on the dash. An invaluable asset when first in line at a light, particularly the old-fashioned traffic lights that were 4-sided and in the middle of the intersection. :cool:

rambos_ride

RL Chilton wrote:

O.k., my .02-cents worth:

Dave Sollon has a visor on his black '54 convertible. It is the same visor used and designed for a 48-52. He and Ken Schulte fabricated a custom center bracket for this visor. Don't know if Dave checks the Street Rod Section or not, but I would contact him and he can show a picture of how they solved their problem.

Dan-

For what it's worth, Doc has been up to 126 mph with the visor mounted. It is properly mounted and a metal visor, not aluminum or fiberglass. I'm also putting one on the convertible and already have an NOS one in stock awaiting for the car to be ready.

How did the visor do at high speed? At 85-90 the front edge halfway between the edge and the center bracket starts to flutter a little bit, but no noise. Surprisingly, at about 110, the flutter goes away and is just under a lot of stress from wind.

If I had an aluminum one, I would most definately put a stiffener under the front edge curl, at the least. A round aluminum rod would look and function the best--and weld it in. I also think a total framework would be unsightly, however from inside the car. I wouldn't use a fiberglass one. I'd manufacture a steel one before I put a fiberglass one on, just my personal preference.

Also, I personally love the visors, particularly on the step-downs. Only other requirement is a Guide Viewer mounted on the dash. An invaluable asset when first in line at a light, particularly the old-fashioned traffic lights that were 4-sided and in the middle of the intersection. :cool:

Is your visor an original?

If it is - take a magnet and try it on the visor...I bet it's the same as mine - won't stick because it's aluminum!

I can't say I like sun visors on any modern vehicles - but for an old beauty like a Hudson it just completes the look

RL Chilton

"I can't say I like sun visors on any modern vehicles - but for an old beauty like a Hudson it just completes the look"



Couldn't agree more. You are right, at least the visor on Doc is aluminum. I'll have to check the one I've got for the 'vert. Let you know tomorrow.

[Deleted User]

Hi Ken, Just re-visiting older posts, reference that sun visor after repairing I sold the car and never heard from new owner. My '62 Buick Skylark is 95 percent complete and should start completion of my '52 Hornet coupe in next 10 days...Earlier last year I purchased NOS visor with proper supporting hardware and I believe or hope it's made of metal, question, before painting and installation does anyone or like Russ recommended welding support under front edg curl?



Thanks,



Ray

rambos_ride

As suggested I believe the round bar of the appropriate material and dimensions would be enough to reinforce the leading edge and keep the visor from malforming.

Ray, just take a magnet and apply it against the visor to tell if it's steel or aluminum. It's important to know for the modification as well as what type of primer to use.

[Deleted User]

rambos_ride wrote:

As suggested I believe the round bar of the appropriate material and dimensions would be enough to reinforce the leading edge and keep the visor from malforming.



Ray, just take a magnet and apply it against the visor to tell if it's steel or aluminum. It's important to know for the modification as well as what type of primer to use.

Dan, as always...



Thanks,



Ray

RL Chilton

As an additional note, I read recently somewhere that visors tended to take 5-10 mph off of your top speed, not like most of us drive our cars at top speed often. I'm sure they take some off mpg's as well, but have not done any testing. To me the value of aesthetics outweigh any performance #'s, at least as much as visors are concerned.

[Deleted User]

RL Chilton wrote:

O.k., my .02-cents worth:

Dave Sollon has a visor on his black '54 convertible. It is the same visor used and designed for a 48-52. He and Ken Schulte fabricated a custom center bracket for this visor. Don't know if Dave checks the Street Rod Section or not, but I would contact him and he can show a picture of how they solved their problem.

Dan-

For what it's worth, Doc has been up to 126 mph with the visor mounted. It is properly mounted and a metal visor, not aluminum or fiberglass. I'm also putting one on the convertible and already have an NOS one in stock awaiting for the car to be ready.

How did the visor do at high speed? At 85-90 the front edge halfway between the edge and the center bracket starts to flutter a little bit, but no noise. Surprisingly, at about 110, the flutter goes away and is just under a lot of stress from wind.

If I had an aluminum one, I would most definately put a stiffener under the front edge curl, at the least. A round aluminum rod would look and function the best--and weld it in. I also think a total framework would be unsightly, however from inside the car. I wouldn't use a fiberglass one. I'd manufacture a steel one before I put a fiberglass one on, just my personal preference.

Also, I personally love the visors, particularly on the step-downs. Only other requirement is a Guide Viewer mounted on the dash. An invaluable asset when first in line at a light, particularly the old-fashioned traffic lights that were 4-sided and in the middle of the intersection. :cool:

The following are pictures of the visor and mounts on Dave Sollen's Hornet convertible.

RL Chilton

Thanks, Ken. I forgot you had them.