1966 Trico wiper blades

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

David:

The three-ribbed inserts (blades) were not with the flat roof holders. This did not alarm me, as in the day, it was common practice to replace inserts rather than replace complete holder/insert assemblies.

The body build date of my 66 is April 19, 1966.

Henry

Henry,

I agree that it was very common practice to just replace just the rubber inserts in the 60's, 70's, and even the 80's. I think it is very possible that your "flat roof" Trico wiper blade holders with "TRICO" and "MADE IN USA" are original equipment with a April 1966 dated car. I believe that sometime after April 1966 is when the switch was to the "roof peak" Trico blades. I am sure that Pete might know the approximate date of this changeover.

I just found a pair of 15" Trico (satin finish) "flat roof" wiper blades in one of the many boxes of wiper blades that I have collected over the years. I removed these blades on Jan. 31, 1992 from a 1967 Pontiac Tempest 6 cyl. in a salvage yard in Phillipston, Mass. The holders are stamped "TRICO" and "MADE IN USA" on the top end only. The rubber refills must be replacements as they do not have the 3 ribs. Unfortunately, I did not record the build date of the 1967 Tempest on the tags. I suppose that these blades could be replacements but I really doubt it as these blades (GM # 3887568) were discontinued "over the GM counter" in December 1966.

I also found another 15" Trico satin "flat roof" that came off a 1967 Chevrolet and is stamped "TRICO" on the top end only. I got this blade from a salvage yard in Templeton, Mass., in January 1991 but again, no body build date recorded on my tag. The rubber refill is a replacement refill since "ANCO" was molded into the rubber.

I now really think that the "TRICO"/"MADE IN USA" flat roof blade were installed on the 1966 production lines. I also believe that the "flat roof" Trico wiper blades were installed on "early" 1967 Chevrolets and Pontiac Tempests.

Dave

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

David & Henry,
April 28, rotation #131.

Cars are real close!

[Peter L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Gentlemen - While you have presented interesting information regarding the TRICO holders on your low mileage cars, I would like to present another theory. Since ANCO windshield wiper blade assemblies were OPT part numbers listed in the AIMs for the wiper blade assemblies on all 1966 and 1967 GM passenger vehicles along with TRICO windshield wiper blade assemblies and ANCO literature claims they supplied over 60% of the wiper blade assemblies used in Production in the 60s. Could these car have originally been equipped with the O.E. by ANCO wiper blade assemblies used by GM Production. Interesting also is the fact that the ANCO wiper blades installed in Production in 1966 and 1967 were the "O.E. by ANCO" wiper blade assemblies that I would label as "non-serviceable" because you could not buy the correct ANCO rubber refills from either GM Service Department or auto parts stores. So by the time these original O.E. by ANCO wiper blades needed to have the refills replaced which would have been a year or so after the car was new, so that would be 1967 or 1968, the option was to install somekind of non-original refill in these ANCOs or just as easy buy some refillable wiper blades. By that time if they purchased the TRICOs, the TRICO Service replacements would have most likely had holders whether they were flat topped or peaked topped that would have been stamped TRICO and MADE IN USA.

Anyway, based on my experience, unless we can find additional documented evidence from owners of "original" 1966 cars that the brushed flat topped TRICO wiper blade holders with TRICO and MADE IN USA stamped on them came on these cars from the Factory or from TRICO manufacturing on the addition of stamping of the MADE IN USA on the TRICO holders earlier then the beginning of calendar year 1967, there are not many data points to support the case. We need to figure out how to make these cars talk.

Pete

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Pete,

My 67 which is very close to your cars serial # had Trico peaked top W/ made in usa and I believe a dull flat top Trico without made in USA.

I have owned since 1984, I talk to it often and it usually talks back nice but gets real quiet about it's wipers.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Pete,
The car or the prior owner, for me that's all about finding two people.

Interesting theory and worthy of investigation. Where does Trico claim to have supplied 60% of the St Louis volume in 1966? Is someone looking into this?

By 1972 my car only had accumulated about 20 ~ 25,000 miles. A one time change in the middle of that is very well a possibility.

[Henry J.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Gentlemen - While you have presented interesting information regarding the TRICO holders on your low mileage cars, I would like to present another theory. Since ANCO windshield wiper blade assemblies were OPT part numbers listed in the AIMs for the wiper blade assemblies on all 1966 and 1967 GM passenger vehicles along with TRICO windshield wiper blade assemblies and ANCO literature claims they supplied over 60% of the wiper blade assemblies used in Production in the 60s. Could these car have originally been equipped with the O.E. by ANCO wiper blade assemblies used by GM Production. Interesting also is the fact that the ANCO wiper blades installed in Production in 1966 and 1967 were the "O.E. by ANCO" wiper blade assemblies that I would label as "non-serviceable" because you could not buy the correct ANCO rubber refills from either GM Service Department or auto parts stores. So by the time these original O.E. by ANCO wiper blades needed to have the refills replaced which would have been a year or so after the car was new, so that would be 1967 or 1968, the option was to install somekind of non-original refill in these ANCOs or just as easy buy some refillable wiper blades. By that time if they purchased the TRICOs, the TRICO Service replacements would have most likely had holders whether they were flat topped or peaked topped that would have been stamped TRICO and MADE IN USA.

Anyway, based on my experience, unless we can find additional documented evidence from owners of "original" 1966 cars that the brushed flat topped TRICO wiper blade holders with TRICO and MADE IN USA stamped on them came on these cars from the Factory or from TRICO manufacturing on the addition of stamping of the MADE IN USA on the TRICO holders earlier then the beginning of calendar year 1967, there are not many data points to support the case. We need to figure out how to make these cars talk.

Pete

Pete:

Of course, you present a very valid argument.

Does anyone on this board know of an knowledgeable individual who worked at Trico to whom we can speak for enlightenment?

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Pete,

I also agree that you have a good argument. However, I believe that back in the very early 1980's I bought NOS ANCO rubber refills in ANCO boxes for my 1966 Corvette wiper blades (GM # 3888296 as shown in Noland Adam's 63-67 restoration book) at various car swap meets from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania. These refills had "ANCO PATENT 2782444" molded into the rubber and were identical to the rubber refills on a pair of NOS GM # 3888296 wiper blades in GM boxes (made by ANCO) that I sold for big money during the 1990-1991 recession. It was a little tricky to install these refills into the 1966 ANCO holders. ANCO holders made in later years have a plastic button to disassemble the holder. I have several pairs of these 15" ANCO replacement wiper blades that look very similar to the 3888296 blades, the major difference being the plastic button.

I also bought many NOS ANCO refills for Trico wiper blades that had "ANCO R PAT. 2782445" molded into the rubber. ANCO made refills to fit Trico blades and Trico made refills to fit in ANCO blades.

We may never resolve this issue about the 1966 "flat" Trico blades with the "MADE IN USA" stamping but it sure is a lot of fun trying.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

I thought that I would continue this thread after a 3-year time out because I would like to explain what I have recently observed about the 1966 Trico "dull flat roof" style 15" wiper blades. After recently studying my collection of "flat roof" blades I have found 4 different 1966 styles.
First of all the 1966 Trico blades evolved from the 1963 and 1964-1965 "shiny flat roof" style blades so that is where I will start.

1963: shiny finish on top and underneath, "TRICO" stamped at top and bottom ends, does not have "CAN 63" on connector part.

1964-1965: shiny finish on top and underneath, "TRICO" stamped at top and bottom ends.

Early 1966: dull finish on top and shiny underneath, "TRICO" stamped at top and bottom ends.

1966: dull finish on top and underneath, "TRICO" stamped at bottom end only.

1966: dull finish on top and underneath, "TRICO" stamped at top end only.

Possibly late 1966 or service: dull finish on top and underneath, "TRICO" and "MADE IN USA" stamped at top end only.

Dave

[Jack P.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Great information, but I would be great if you all posted some photos. It is not hard , and saves a lot of words. Take a moment and learn how if you don't know, or ask , or take time and take a picture. photo worth a thousand words. I will post some pictures of my 66 , owned for 44 years. You can then comment on them

Jack

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

I thought that I would continue this thread after a 3-year time out because I would like to explain what I have recently observed about the 1966 Trico "dull flat roof" style 15" wiper blades.
Dave

David,

Good information. Thanks.

I can add a few more bumps in the road though. I have two flat back 15" Trico's here now. They show some of the items that have been mentioned. One is used. The other is NOS without a box so no part number.

The used holder appears to have a dull blasted finish on both front and back sides. It has Trico and made in USA on one end.

The NOS holder appears to have a brushed finish on the outer surface only but shinny on the back side. It has Trico on both ends but without made in USA. It still has it's original refill with dots, just like a typical 63-65.

But here's the interesting part.

The configuration of these holders is not the same. The curvature is very obviously different if the holders are held together. The main section, the section on the connector end, appears to be the same but the opposite end had much more of a curvature.

One is made for assembly line for cars with a somewhat flat windshield and the other for a more curved windshield. For assembly line, the two obviously had to have different part numbers. Could have been passenger/Chevelle or ??? One may be correct for Corvette but I don't know that.

As far as part numbers, some blade assy's on the assembly line that were unique to different vehicles, as in the two described, may not have ever been available in service. For service, one blade assembly that could service all models would be used. So why didn't they just use one design in production instead of a few different designs/part numbers? I'm not 100% sure but a guess would be that the curved blade wouldn't work quite as well on a flat windshield? Or possibly the other way around? I don't know. Could even have been for appearance. The hump back blade would look a bit out of place on a flat glass.

Either way, it's going to be difficult to establish any facts on Trico blades unless someone can show reasonable proof that their blades are the originals to the car.

Seems like I remember three different part numbers/revisions for blade assy's in the 66 AIM? Or was it just two?

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Jack,
I will post some photos but my camera is not that good for close up photos.

Michael,
Over the past 33 years I have owned hundreds and hundreds of Trico & Anco wiper blades from the 1960's and 1970's Chevrolet & other GM cars. I got them from salvage yards and even "bagged and tagged" many of them.

There is no question in my mind that the 15" Trico wipers with the dull finish on top and shiny underneath and "TRICO" stamped at top and bottom ends are from "early" 1966 models. I hope that I do upset the authors of the 1966 judging guides with this theory but it is very logical. The Trico company probably had a lot of "shiny" blades left over from the 1965 production year and then put the dull finish only on the top side for the 1966 model year.

I have many Trico blades that have more of a curvature. On a typical 1966 Chevrolet Impala the driver's side wiper blade would be "straight" like the 1966 Corvette blades but the the passenger side always had a blade with more curvature because of the curvature of the windshield. I have never found a different part number for these blades with more curvature. The 1966 Chevrolet AIM lists one part number for left and right wiper blade (3888296 for the Anco wiper blade and 3899508 for the optional Trico wiper blade).

Since we can not go back in time my 33 years of collecting wiper blades (mostly in the 1980's) from salvage yard cars is enough proof for me. I am not trying to convince anyone of anything, just sharing my observations. I do not own any use judging guides and never will. I am only interested in finding out the true facts.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Jack,

Here my photos of the 6 styles on "flat roof" Trico wiper blade holders. The order from top to bottom is the same as me description yesterday. I am a "curb stone" photographer not a professional as you probably can tell.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Maybe these photos are better, maybe not.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Michael,

There is no question in my mind that the 15" Trico wipers with the dull finish on top and shiny underneath and "TRICO" stamped at top and bottom ends are from "early" 1966 models. I hope that I do upset the authors of the 1966 judging guides with this theory but it is very logical. The Trico company probably had a lot of "shiny" blades left over from the 1965 production year and then put the dull finish only on the top side for the 1966 model year.

I have many Trico blades that have more of a curvature. On a typical 1966 Chevrolet Impala the driver's side wiper blade would be "straight" like the 1966 Corvette blades but the the passenger side always had a blade with more curvature because of the curvature of the windshield. I have never found a different part number for these blades with more curvature. The 1966 Chevrolet AIM lists one part number for left and right wiper blade (3888296 for the Anco wiper blade and 3899508 for the optional Trico wiper blade).



Dave

David,

I agree on the 3888296 part number for 66 passenger car blades but I don't think the number is for a pair of mismatched blades. You mention that the pass side is more curved than the drivers side.

The 3888296 part number is for one Anco blade. Not a mismatched set. The same part/part number is shown in the 66 Corvette AIM. It's also shown in a 1966 printing of the parts book for passenger car and Corvette. It's likely that pass car and Corvette did use the same Anco blade. At least for early production.
My 66 Corvette AIM shows the 3888296 being replaced by the 3908118 in April of 1966. I think the 3908118 is a "tent back" design that continued through the 67 model.

If there were two different design blades on 66 pass car, one for left and one for right, there would have been two different part numbers. If there was a difference in the part, it had to have it's own number and both numbers would have been shown in the AIM.

Just like the wiper arm. Each had it's own part number. Not one part number for a pair of symetrically opposite arms.

I can't seem to find any record of a part number for Trico blades for early 66 Corvette in the AIM. Am I missing something?

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

David,

I agree on the 3888296 part number for 66 passenger car blades but I don't think the number is for a pair of mismatched blades. You mention that the pass side is more curved than the drivers side.

The 3888296 part number is for one Anco blade. Not a mismatched set. The same part/part number is shown in the 66 Corvette AIM. It's also shown in a 1966 printing of the parts book for passenger car and Corvette. It's likely that pass car and Corvette did use the same Anco blade. At least for early production.
My 66 Corvette AIM shows the 3888296 being replaced by the 3908118 in April of 1966. I think the 3908118 is a "tent back" design that continued through the 67 model.

If there were two different design blades on 66 pass car, one for left and one for right, there would have been two different part numbers. If there was a difference in the part, it had to have it's own number and both numbers would have been shown in the AIM.

Just like the wiper arm. Each had it's own part number. Not one part number for a pair of symetrically opposite arms.

I can't seem to find any record of a part number for Trico blades for early 66 Corvette in the AIM. Am I missing something?

Michael,
I agree, the 3888296 part number is for one 15" ANCO wiper blade. I guess I was not clear in my explanation. I once owned two NOS 3888296 wiper blades (with "ANCO PATENT 2782444" on the rubber inserts) each in its own GM box. According to Noland Adam's 63-67 restoration book on page 322 GM # 3908118 "was a number assigned to two identical blades, part number 3888296, sold together in the same package." GM # 3908118 does not appear in my 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 or any of my other vintage Chevrolet parts catalogs. The 3888296 blades were still shown in my 1969 and 1972 Corvette Parts Catalog (Oct. 1969 & Oct. 1971) for the 66-67 Corvette.

After many years of research I have never found a part number for the Trico wiper blade with more curvature that was used on Chevrolet (not Corvette) passenger cars on the passenger side of the windshield. It should have had it's own part number but just does not.

The 1966 Corvette AIM lists GM # 3908118 ("was 3888296 blade" which "was 3871085 blade") as the wiper blade part numbers. These are all ANCO wiper blades. The 1966 AIM does not list a TRICO wiper blade with a GM part number.

The assembly manuals are not perfect. Isn't it odd that there seems to more Trico wiper blades on 1966 Corvettes than Anco wiper blades when the Trico blade is not even listed in the 1966 Corvette assembly manual. The 1967 Corvette assembly manual list GM # 3908118 for the wiper blades (a pair of Anco blades).
The 1967 Camaro assembly manual lists "3888296" and "3899508 OPT." ("5/18/66 3899508 was 3887568") for the wiper blades. The 3888296 blade is an ANCO. The 3899508 and 3887568 blades are Trico.

Back in April 1992 at Spring Carlisle I saw a pair of NOS 3887568 Trico 15" WIPER blades for sale @ $250 for the pair. I did not buy them. The blades were dull on the top side and shiny underneath with rubber inserts with the "dots" or "bumps".
According to the 1966 Chevrolet assembly manual 3887568 was replaced by 3899508 on 3/15/66.

Dave