The drop glass, the side window that lowers into the door cavity, was one of the features that set these cars apart from earlier British sports cars, winding windows rather than detachable sidescreens being a significant step forward in practicality and all-weather usability. The door glass slides up and down within channels in the door frame, operated by a winder handle connected to a regulator mechanism inside the door. The door glass itself was not changed during Roadster production, though there were changes to the glass channels and regulators in the early years, and the GT door glasses were frameless and rather taller than the Roadster type.
Glass, Channels & Seals
Drop glass is available for both body styles in clear and tinted versions in left and right hand fitments, the model needing to be specified when ordering as the dimensions differ between Roadster and GT. Tinted glass reduces glare and solar heat gain, a practical comfort improvement particularly on the GT where the cabin can become warm in direct sunlight. The window channel, rubber glazing seal, drop glass guides, and quarterlight channel felt seal are all available individually, with channel brackets in universal fitments and stainless steel door glass stop brackets as a corrosion-resistant alternative. Flock-sprayed glass run channels were introduced during production to prevent the door glass scratching against the channel surface, a worthwhile improvement over the earlier bare metal channels, and worn felt allows the glass to rattle in its channels, particularly at speed on rough roads.
Regulators & Winder Handles
The window regulator mechanism differs between 3-synchro cars to 1967 and 4-synchro cars from 1968, the two mechanisms using different mounting points within the door, and should be inspected whenever drop glass or channels are replaced. Worn regulator gears cause the glass to drop slowly under its own weight when released, a nuisance that worsens progressively, while a seized or stiff regulator makes the winder difficult to turn and can strip the internal gears if forced. Winder handles are available in original black plastic, alloy sports style, and chrome for 4-synchro cars from 1968, the escutcheon being fitted from 1968 to approximately 1974 after which a flanged screw replaced it, and the fibre washer between handle and spindle should be renewed whenever a handle is replaced.