Have you tried adjusting the frame with a rubber hammer once you have the glass in the frame? it doesn't sound as if your that far off if you can get the glass in the frame at all four corners? and make sure you use a lubricant to get the glass to seat into the rubber gasket it may just be not seating all the way...........Paul

Cupcake - thank you for the offer. I'm still holding out for a pair but I'll keep yours in mind.

The frames aren't bent in the same plane as the glass.  They are bent in relation to the outer shape of the glass. They are tight in the corners near the piano hinge and loose near the far corner.

The frames are interchangeable left to right by moving around the hinge and latch.  Might try that if the frames had conformed to differences in the body.

The glass doesn't keep them straight? Do you have a picture? I have a decent right one with minimal pitting my parts shelf that I am unlikeyl to ever need (touch wood) that I'll part with. I repaired the joining strap at one time. There is a crack in the corner of the frame at that point on the outside edge that you can't see. Presumably you don't need the glass or the gasket.

I don't know why these have been such a problem for me but the nightmare never seems to end. I had a heck of a time assembling the frames and now I think I know why. They were apparently bent. I may have been the one that did it but they've passed through a few hands so I can't say for sure. I paid a pretty penny to have them re-chromed too. Lesson learned.

Anyways, all that matters now is that when I offer them up to the car they clearly don't fit the body. Yes, they are definitely piano hinge Mk1. No, they don't fit whether or not I have original glass, polycarbonate windows, or no windows at all in them. They are bent significantly out of shape and I'm not at all confident I can bend them back properly.

Anyone know a source for some decent (or even pristine!) frames? After 6 long years of building her, my car should hopefully be on the road in a few weeks. It would sure be nice to have some quarter windows installed by then.