1966 Trico blade logo and orientation

[Dave#24235]

I believe I read an article in the restorer years ago that specified 66 Trico blades had the Trico logo oriented the same at both ends of the blades, while replacement (or 67) blades had the logo inverted at opposite ends.

I have been asked if that is correct, and if "made in the USA" appears with the logo. Could someone please verify or deny the inverted logo with/without "made in USA" on 66 Corvettes?

[Peter L.]

Re: 1966 Trico blade logo and orientation

Dave - First of all I'm really interested in the reference to the specific RESTORER article you mentioned, so if you can post that I'd and I'm sure others would appreciate it.

But to answer your question on the orientation of the TRICO logo stamped on the ends of their 15" windshield wiper blade holders including the flat polished ('63-'65), brushed flat ('66E), brushed peaked w/ TRICO only ('66M/L - '67E) and brushed peaked w/ TRICO & MADE IN USA('67 M/L) . If one has the TRICO holder horizontal so the top of the holder is on the left, the stamped information on ALL of them reads from left to right on both the top and bottom ends, i.e the orientation is in the same direction.

Per the '66 TIM&JG one would expect to have TRICO w/s/w holders with TRICO only stamped on them for '66 Corvettes. Early production would have the flat brushed holders and mid to late production would have the peaked holders. TRICO holders stamped with TRICO and MADE IN USA are judged to be replacements.

Hope this information helps. Have fun. Pete

[john lokay]

Re: 1966 Trico blade logo and orientation

Is it possible that an early '66 car (build date 10/8/65) could have the flat polished wiper blade holders?

[Dave#24235]

Re: 1966 Trico blade logo and orientation

Pete - I had to toss my old restorers (and other mags) to make room for parts while the body was off my car. Thanks for the help.

Do you know when the replacement blades with inverted logos were introduced?

[Tim G.]

Re: 1966 Trico blade logo and orientation

My '66 Corvette #1649 has polished Trico blade holders. By all indications, these are the original ones on this 29,000 mile car. They will be on the car for judging at the Waco Regional.

[Peter L.]

Re: 1966 Trico blade logo and orientation

Dave - You are welcome. I'm not sure exactly what the reference to "replacement blades with inverted logos" is referring to. Can you elaborate? Pete

[Peter L.]

Re: 1966 Trico blade logo and orientation

John - The answer is "yes" as noted by Tim's posting. We learn new information all the time but as with everything that we are trying to figure out almost 40 years later. It can take some research to establish these cases that appear to differ from expected typical factory production; but many of the know cases are associated with late and/or early production cars. Having a previous production model's parts is not uncommon as the production folks would use these parts if the function was the same and probably if there was no mandate to make the change to the newer model's part. Having said that, as far as judging is concerned the owner will need to make the case if the item or items differ from typical factory production. So unless you have this evidence and can provide it on the judging field and it's accepted, you might want to do some additional research to establish and support your position. Pete

[Peter L.]

Interesting Trico blade logo and orientation

Dave - In looking through some of the '63-'65 TRICO flat top w/s/w blade holders I have I did come across one that had the TRICO inverted on the top piece of the holder; but on further examination I discovered that the holder was assembled from two bottom pieces. This top piece did not have the rectangular hole that was on all the other holders and is located about 1/8" from the end of the top piece. Pete

[Peter L.]

NEW INFO -Trico blade logo and orientation

Dave - You just have to love this hobby and the NCRS group. I just received some information (Thanks Bill) on the TRICO w/s/w blade holder with TRICO logo oriented in different directions because the holder appeared to have been assemble with two bottom sections. Well sometime before the CAN 63 appeared on the holder clip that's how some of them came, i.e no hole in the top section so both sections were identical and when assembled the stamped TRICO logos were oriented 180 degrees or inverted from each other.

But another interesting observation is that there are 15" TRICO polished w/s/w blade holders w/o the CAN 63 on the clip and the hole in the top section. These holders have the stamped TRICO logo oriented in the same direction.

Pete

[Michael H.]

Re: NEW INFO -Trico blade logo and orientation

Peter,

I have one more for you on the early 66 Trico blade. The first dull finish blades were actually beaded or blasted instead of brushed. Unlike the slightly later brushed style, the earlier blasted holders still had a somewhat polished underside and the later brushed holders were dull on both sides. I believe this is the result of Trico modifying existing stock of polished 63-65 holders. This info comes from Bob Jorjorian, the guy that probably knows more about 63-67 blades than anyone else I know.

I started checking my supply of NOS and used 66 holders and, just like Bob said, there was a definite difference in the way the dull was applied. Very obvious glass or bead blasted finish on some and brushed on others.

Michael

[Timothy B.]

Re: NEW INFO -Trico blade logo and orientation

I have two polished wiper blade holders without the CAN63 and one has the TRICO inverted, both have the small hole at the forward edge.

[Peter L.]

Re: NEW INFO -Trico blade logo and orientation

Michael - Thanks for the additional info. I think that practice of only dulling the top surface or at least not bothering to dull the underside surface as much on the TRICO w/s/w blade holders contined for some time as I also have examples of the TRICO '66-'67 peak shaped top holders (w/ TRICO stamped on them) where the underside surface is definitely much brighter or at least was not dulled to the degree of the top surface. Pete

[Peter L.]

Re: NEW INFO -Trico blade logo and orientation

Timothy - Thanks for the additional interesting information. Based on you comment it would be interesting to know the specifics of logo stamping operation but then again, I'm quite sure they were not too concerned about the orientation of the TRICO stamp or if infact all the assemblies were alway stamped as I have seen examples of TRICO w/s/w holders that are only TRICO stamped on one end and some that do not have the TRICO logo stamped on them at all.

I always have to remember that TRICO was in business to make "money" not parts that we would end judging 40 or so years later or that we would try an figure out what they did in the manufacuring process like it was some"exact" science.

But, we're having FUN trying.

Pete

[Robert Jorjorian]

Re: Interesting Trico blade logo and orientation

The rectangular hole started in 1962.

[Peter L.]

Re: Interesting Trico blade logo and orientation

Bob - Thanks for the additional info on the configuration. Pete