1975-1981 Corvette Wiper Blade Question

[David L.]

I have a pair of original 16" ANCO wiper blades that were on my 1977 El Camino when I bought it new back in 1977 and I owned it for 15 years. The wiper blades have been stored ever since. My 1977 Chevrolet Parts Catalog lists GM # 1664394 as the part number (which includes the refill) for the 1976-1977 Chevelle models. The refill listed is GM # 1664395. The wiper blades are satin gray, a 3-piece holder with a black release button, and are stamped "ANCO" along with an encircled letter "R" on the two smaller end sections. I can provide photos if requested.

My 1979 & 1982 Corvette Parts Catalogs (June 1979 & Nov. 1981) list GM # 1664394 (ANCO blade) for 1968-1979 Corvettes & 1968-1981 Corvettes. As far as I know GM # 1664394 did not appear as a service part number until 1975 replacing GM # 9883584 in March 1975 as per Chevrolet Parts History.

My 1972 Corvette Parts Catalog lists only the wiper blades for 1968-1972 Corvettes, GM # 3913614 (Trico, 15 7/8" long) which were replaced by GM # 9673995 in Dec. 1974 and then replaced by GM # 9883584 in Dec. 1974 (a real short shelf life, I would say) and finally replaced by GM # 1664394 (ANCO, 16" long) in March 1975.

My two Questions:
1. Were 1975-1981 Corvettes issued 16" ANCO wiper blade on the assembly that were satin gray or black chromium?
2. Were 1975-1981 Corvettes also issued 16" Trico wiper blades on the assembly line, either satin gray or black chromium?
Dave

[Larry H.]

Re: 1975-1981 Corvette Wiper Blade Question

Dave,

My March 1975 built '75 has black 3-piece Anco-stamped blades with a black release button and 16" long inserts. I am not the original owner. I think these are #1664394 blades with #1664395 inserts.

Larry

[David L.]

Re: 1975-1981 Corvette Wiper Blade Question

Larry,
First of all, do you have a 1977 Corvette Assembly Manual and, if so, is there a part number for the wiper blades.

As I stated before, my 1977 Chevrolet Parts Catalog lists GM # 1664394 as the part number (which includes the refill) for the 1976-1977 Chevelle models and the refill listed is GM # 1664395. Also, my 1979 Corvette Parts Catalog (June 1979) lists GM # 1664394 (ANCO blade) for 1968-1979 Corvettes. Parts catalogs list service parts sold over the counter which may or may not be the same exact parts issued on the assembly line.
I do not think that the 1975 Corvette black chromium wiper blades were ever sold over the counter. The service wiper blades, GM # 1664394, made by ANCO are listed in the parts catalogs for both the Corvette models and Chevelle models even though Corvettes were issued black wiper blades and Chevelles were issued gray satin finish blades.

Here is an example:
The 1968 Corvette AIM lists GM # 3938167 as the (Trico) wiper blade part number. The 1968 Chevelle AIM lists GM # 39123614 as the (Trico) wiper blade part number. My 1969 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1968) in Gr. 10.146 lists the following part numbers for wiper blades:
68 CORVETTE (1st design)..............(Trico)(15 7/8 long)........................3913614
68-69 CORVETTE (2nd design)........(Trico)(15 7/8" long)(black)..............3938167

My 1968 Corsair-Chevy II-Chevelle-Camaro Parts Catalog (July 1968) in Gr. 10.146 lists the following part numbers for wiper blades:
68 CHEVY, CHEVELLE.......................(Trico)(15 7/8 long)........................3913614

The 3938167 and 3913614 wiper blades are the same except for the color.
Here are some photos of my original 1977 El Camino ANCO wiper blades.

BTW, you answered my question #1.
Another question: Are the metal reinforcements on the inserts black as well?
I do not think that the inserts on my original 1977 El Camino wiper blades are original.
Dave

[Larry H.]

Re: 1975-1981 Corvette Wiper Blade Question

Dave,

I don't have a '77 assembly manual. I have a '75 assembly manual which shows #336161 as the factory installed blade. Could #1664394 be the service number for #336161? I found one vendor selling a version of the #336161 but the part illustrated is nothing like the original. As far as the metal reinforcements for the rubber inserts, they are silver, probably stainless steel.

Larry

[David L.]

Re: 1975-1981 Corvette Wiper Blade Question

Larry,
GM # 336161 does not appear in any of my many 1963 to 1981 Chevrolet parts catalogs. I assume that wiper blade # 336161 is the same as wiper blade # 1664395 except that it has a black chromium finish. BTW, according to my notes I once owned a NOS pair of 1664395 inserts, 16" long with "ANCO R PAT. 2598063" molded into the rubber along with natural metal reinforcements.

GM rarely sold service black chromium wiper blades on the counter. One exception that I know of is the 1970-1981 Camaro models with "depressed park" wipers were issued 18" black chromium wiper blades on the assembly line and were also serviced with the same that were sold over the counter. The part numbers change a few times between 1970 and 1981 for subtle differences but always black chromium. The assembly line inserts in these wiper blades had black chromium reinforcements but the inserts sold seperately over the counter had natural steel reinforcements.

Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: 1975-1981 Corvette Wiper Blade Question

Larry,
GM # 336161 does not appear in any of my many 1963 to 1981 Chevrolet parts catalogs. I assume that wiper blade # 336161 is the same as wiper blade # 1664395 except that it has a black chromium finish. BTW, according to my notes I once owned a NOS pair of 1664395 inserts, 16" long with "ANCO R PAT. 2598063" molded into the rubber along with natural metal reinforcements.

GM rarely sold service black chromium wiper blades on the counter. One exception that I know of is the 1970-1981 Camaro models with "depressed park" wipers were issued 18" black chromium wiper blades on the assembly line and were also serviced with the same that were sold over the counter. The part numbers change a few times between 1970 and 1981 for subtle differences but always black chromium. The assembly line inserts in these wiper blades had black chromium reinforcements but the inserts sold seperately over the counter had natural steel reinforcements.

Dave

Dave------


GM #336161 was never available in SERVICE.

[David L.]

Re: 1975-1981 Corvette Wiper Blade Question

Larry,
As I mentioned previously I once owned a NOS pair of 1664395 inserts, 16" long with "ANCO R PAT. 2598063" molded into the rubber along with natural metal reinforcements.
Going thru my boxes of wiper blades, etc., I have a NOS pair of 15" ANCO Rain Master Push-Button Refills in an ANCO box dated Sept. 1977 (Stock # 680) with "ANCO R MADE IN U.S.A." molded into the rubber along with natural metal reinforcements (stainless steel, I assume).
I also have a NOS pair of 15" ANCO Rain Master Push-Button Refills in an ANCO box dated 1980 (also Stock # 680) with "ANCO R PAT. 2782445" molded into the rubber along with slightly different natural metal reinforcements and a much more heavy duty rubber part with 3 horizontal ribs.
The NOS (1990 version) 16" ANCO (Stock No. 11-16) "Stainless Steel Natural Rubber" refills that I have fit both Trio and ANCO wiper blade holders as they have a clip at the end of each insert.
Dave