Windshield Support Rod

[december2015]

I have a question for all of you British sports car gurus.  The only sports cars I owned prior to buying my MGB were Porsches, so I know very little about British cars. Like many sports cars, mine has the (ubiquitous?) support rod running up the center of the windshield. What is the purpose of that rod? Mine is so loose, I don't see it performing any function; the mirror mount certainly doesn't need it.

David Okon

[amgba]

It has nothing to do with sealing. It just provides additional support for the windscreen, so that it is not pulled out when the top is latched which is necessary when there is a bolt on windscreen. Other cars, such as the Porsche 356, also had them.

Alan Koesten