67 Wiper Arms

[Bill L.]

HI:

Looking at the 67 judging manual --- page 71....

It states that the wiper arm is comprised of three parts -- a "DULL" cast base, main body and the shaft ---

My question is about the "dull" cast base: I have looked at at least three different sets of '67 wiper arms --- that are "supposedly" original. The cast base on these parts appears to actually be chrome plated and then----painted a dull silver ---with a black primer --- on one set that I actually owned --- I tried to remove the paint --- it was next to impossible to do so ---- was this a factory coating?

It this correct? The part numbers are apparently 3915861 and 3915862.

Thanks for any definitive input that you can provide---

Regards
Bill

[Ray G.]

Re: 67 Wiper Arms

Bill;
This info may lend reason to the color/plating of specific items.
Early in the 1967 model year production the New National Highway Traffic Safety Administration created new regulations including anti-glare which included windshield wiper arms and blades, horn buttons and interior paint finishes. Along with a myriad other items.
This is covered in Judging Guides.
Hope this helps.
Ray

[Bill L.]

Re: 67 Wiper Arms

Thanks Ray:

Yes I am aware of the dull requirement per the feds.... as I mentioned the arms that I have seen are all dull so they seem to comply from that standpoint. The question still remains: was the mounting base actually cast as "dull" (i.e. dull un-polished pot metal etc) or was it painted to make it dull? One of the arms that I bought had the dull paint so I am still trying to determine if there is standard or common practice with respect to the base casting....the other arm in the set was just sanded to appear dull --- probably a poor attempt at making it "look correct"???

Thanks for the info!!!

Edit (added photo): The photo below shows an NOS set of '67 wiper arms --- in the area of the base in question. You can see that the base is indeed dull. No way to tell from the photo but but does this look like paint or actual dull metal?

Screen Shot 2015-08-23 at 6.13.34 PM.jpg

Regards
Bill

[Tom D.]

Re: 67 Wiper Arms

I don't think it is chrome (or even chrome without the nickel). Mine, another NOS example, has a couple of tiny scratches. Looks like a cad like plating...

[Bill L.]

Re: 67 Wiper Arms

Tom:

The Cad plate explanation sure sounds plausible (more so than the paint explanation) !!!!--- thanks for the information!

Regards
Bill

[Steven B.]

Re: 67 Wiper Arms

It looks to me as if they are a bit oxidized. I pulled this one off of my 67. It is not shiny but it does have a sheen. Although I am not positive, I would hazard a guess that the oxidation may be able to be buffed out. This is a June 23rd car.

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Steve

[Bill L.]

Re: 67 Wiper Arms

Steve:

Thanks for posting these photos --- the base looks correct to me ... more so than the painted version I have seen. I am assuming the painted ones are poor attempts at imitation...

Regards
Bill

[John F.]

Re: 67 Wiper Arms

Here's my February build. Don't think it's painted.

[Peter L.]

Re: 67 Wiper Arms

Steve - Nice original '67 Corvette windshield wiper arms. The finish on the original production 66-67 Corvette wiper arms while "duller" has an "elegant" smooth satin appearance that is not the polished finish on the pre-66, i.e., 63-65, Corvette wiper arms & not the very dull finish
almost gray finish found on some of the GM service replacement 66-67 Corvette wiper arms.
It's interesting that the 1967 Corvette AIM I have shows p/ns 3915861 & 3915862 & shows in the REVISION RECORD dated 11-9-66 WAS
3888297-8 & the Chevrolet P&A Catalog dated October 1, 1966 shows the following:

66-67 CORVETTE ....................... left (dull) .................... 3888297
66-67 CORVETTE ....................... right (dull) .................. 3888298

While I don't know what the specifics of the p/n changes were, I do know that the parts from GM that I have seen that have been in GM boxes or bags with the p/ns 3915861 & 3915862 have a very different finish that the original wiper arm on our Sept 1966 built '67. In addition to the difference in the finish, I have found some have a different spring cover plate & the side adjusting screw head is different.
The bottomline is that although the GM part number might be the same & the part might be functional there is no guarantee the part is identical to the original part you might be looking for or want for your restoration or for judging.
While working on old cars is FUN, things like this makes working on old cars a challenge.
Pete

[Bill L.]

Re: 67 Wiper Arms

Thanks Pete--- this helps --

Regards
Bill