Mean Green Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 I am planning on fitting panoramic glass as part of my rebuild - is any of the original side panel visible with Panoramics fitted? My side panels are currently a different colour to the rest of it. I just wonder if I need the added expense of getting them painted, only to be covered up? Some close up pics of panoramics fitted would be great too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelE Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 None at all. Complete coverage front to back and gutter to waist line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 What is the benefit to this? Is there a bigger window aperture? Looks very fragile to me and I'm not sure of the benefit? Not trying to be negative but not sure of the selling point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelE Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 Appearance mainly. You either like it or you don't, like a lot of things added or done to Defenders etc. The window aperture remains the same size but there's nothing to stop you enlarging it if you wanted. Providing, of course, sufficient remains for the window bonding to be adequate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 Trouble with enlarging the aperture for the window is then needing something else trim wise on the inside. The original trim panel won’t work then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mean Green Posted June 13, 2021 Author Share Posted June 13, 2021 Thanks for the feedback guys, that helps a lot. No point, paying to have sides painted for them to be completely hidden ... means I can use the extra ££ for more goodies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 @V8 Freak has it on his 90 so might have some comments if you need more advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mean Green Posted June 13, 2021 Author Share Posted June 13, 2021 cheers Reb ... any advice most welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 On 6/12/2021 at 10:09 PM, L19MUD said: What is the benefit to this? Is there a bigger window aperture? Looks very fragile to me and I'm not sure of the benefit? Not trying to be negative but not sure of the selling point I thought they didn't actually change the original window aperture just stuck over the top of the existing panels for a cleaner look? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mean Green Posted June 13, 2021 Author Share Posted June 13, 2021 That is my understanding - I want my interior trim to fit to finish the inside. As you say it is just for the look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garrycol Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 What is panoramic glass in a old Defender - any pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 It’s the high gloss, black looking glass sheet for the sides of the hard tops, Garry. Looks very slightly odd on a black Defender as the panels look completely smooth and flat. They are obvious on any other colour because the entire side of the hard top is black. They have versions with sliding windows to mimic the windows in Station Wagons, but their tracks and frames are bonded to the inside of the main glass sheet, so there is no external frame, just the recessed sliding pane. Look up Masai - they were the first to introduce these things. They’re a good way to hide panel damage and corrosion without the worry of paint deterioration or recurring corrosion. I’m not convinced by their looks on a vehicle that isn’t black, but a lot of people really like the contrast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garrycol Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 (edited) Ok thanks - never seen it nor seen any pics of it. I just looked up Masai 4wd and can now see what you mean - her in Aust a panoramic window is a roof glass panel like a sunroof. Why would you - toss comes to mind. Edited June 14, 2021 by garrycol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 I think that there is a global term, panoramic roofs being much larger than standard sunroofs. These are panoramic windows rather than roofs. I have only seen the term used in the context of a few suppliers for Land Rovers, specifically Defenders - I doubt many other vehicles are catered for because almost all have slightly curved side panels, even commercial vans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 10 hours ago, FridgeFreezer said: I thought they didn't actually change the original window aperture just stuck over the top of the existing panels for a cleaner look? Sames as a D3/4 roof, full glass from above but tiny openings inside. Total waste as A. Can't even be seen. B. No Benefit inside. C. Expensive to replace when broke if even possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreePointFive Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 As an alternative to the aftermarket blindspot windows in some hardtops I think the panoramic sides look much better. Even the factory station wagon windows give an untidy appearance and mess up the proportions of the car in my view compared to standard hardtop sides. Anything that increases safety and usability while retaining something similar to the original look of a hardtop "van" is a good thing, however it is entirely paintwork dependent as Snagger says and I just don't like the current products. They aren't convincing enough to pass as a hardtop when you see the light coming through the other side. Add in the practicalities as said above and you have a product that doesn't do anything particularly well. This is purely an aesthetics mod and I think on a Defender that is a dangerous road to go down 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mean Green Posted June 14, 2021 Author Share Posted June 14, 2021 Interesting points raised. I agree it is purely aesthetics and serves no other purpose - and is very much an each to their own scenario. I like the panoramics on a 90, but I think it does not look right on a 110 (esp a SW). One thing that I did notice - I saw a photograph of an Original 90 with pano's sat beside a new 90 - suddenly the lineage became apparent and I could see a likeness that I had never seen before. (Although, Thats not why I am doing it... it is just something I quite fancy ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 Go for it. Not my cup of tea, but I have a 110 and dont think it would suit as you say. Neil's 90 is grey and the panoramic glass looks smart on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreePointFive Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 2 hours ago, Mean Green said: One thing that I did notice - I saw a photograph of an Original 90 with pano's sat beside a new 90 - suddenly the lineage became apparent and I could see a likeness that I had never seen before. (Although, Thats not why I am doing it... it is just something I quite fancy ) Fully agree with you, I've thought exactly the same thing. And if someone likes the look, they should absolutely do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Poore Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 15 hours ago, reb78 said: Neil's 90 is grey and the panoramic glass looks smart on that. Hopefully he won't mind this photo being posted up but shows the panoramic glass. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 Freak Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 Sorry for the satellite delay.... The sides of the vehicle are untouched and all the original XS trim fitted back in nicely. I added some door trim found on T'internet to close the gap between glass and internal trim.. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Drumstick Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 I think these suit nice tidy shiny Defender's, usually later model ones with metallic paint. They look somewhat out of place on older models with solid paint and steel wheels. But agree, as it is visual. It is all down to personal preference My only reservation would be if you green lane or off road. I suspect it would be very easy to crack or chip these panels doing these activities if you caught a tree/branch/rock etc. Certainly have seen scuffed and dented upper panels on vehicles before. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreePointFive Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 I retract the last part of what I said before, as CD says, on a later car with the right spec this is a good way to go. I do prefer it to the standard windows. Plus I think glass is harder than paint so better at resisting bush scratches if you do go laning, but of course glass doesn't take a dent quite like Ali. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Poore Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 7 hours ago, Chicken Drumstick said: My only reservation would be if you green lane or off road. I suspect it would be very easy to crack or chip these panels doing these activities if you caught a tree/branch/rock etc. Certainly have seen scuffed and dented upper panels on vehicles before. @V8 Freak has put a fair few scratches etc., down his vehicle whilst laning and off-roading and I don't think the glass has suffered in the slightest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 I quite like them - they must certainly be a lot more secure than the standard sliding windows. The only bit of the fit I’ve never been sure about is where they are cut around the rear door hinges. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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