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                                                                     Exhibit 5.1

                       [BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP LETTERHEAD]


                                 October 8, 1997

Glasstech, Inc.
Ampoint Industrial Park
995 Fourth Street
Perrysburg, Ohio 43551

       RE:   AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT OF FORM S-4 WITH 
             RESPECT TO $70,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT SERIES 
             B 12 3/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2004 OF GLASSTECH, INC.

Gentlemen:

       As counsel for Glasstech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Issuer"),
we are familiar with the Issuer's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the
"Registration Statement"), filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), on
October 8, 1997. Pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Issuer is
proposing to offer for exchange (the "Exchange Offer") up to $70,000,000
aggregate principal amount Series B 12 3/4% Senior Notes due 2004 (the "New
Notes") for its $70,000,000 aggregate principal amount 12 3/4% Senior Notes due
2004 (the "Old Notes") that are presently outstanding.

       In connection with the foregoing, we have examined such records of the
Issuer and such other documents as we deem necessary to render this opinion.

       Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that when the
Registration Statement has become effective under the Act, the New Notes, when
issued pursuant to the Indenture (as defined in the Registration Statement) in
exchange for the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer as contemplated in the
Registration Statement, in the form attached as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 of the
Registration Statement, will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Issuer, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
other laws relating to the enforcement of creditor's rights generally or by
general principles of equity.



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Glasstech, Inc.
October 8, 1997
Page 2

       We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement and the reference to us under the caption "Legal Matters"
in the Prospectus that is a part of the Registration Statement.

                                     Sincerely,


                                     /s/ Baker & Hostetler LLP
                                     Baker & Hostetler LLP