WW fulid color?

[Tory S.]

What color windshield washer fluid did GM use in the mid-70s? Today we have blue, green, amber and others to pick from. Was it blue?

Thanks,
Tory

[Terry M.]

Re: WW fulid color?

What color windshield washer fluid did GM use in the mid-70s? Today we have blue, green, amber and others to pick from. Was it blue?

Thanks,
Tory

Tory,

Satisfy yourself, but I have been judging C3s since 1985 and have never questioned the color of the fluid in the washer bottle. For 1968-69 we can not even tell the color of thefluid because the container is black.

[Tory S.]

Re: WW fulid color?

Terry,

Yep, a black fluid container would make it easier. Unfortunately, for me ('75) the fluid color is visible. So, are you saying as a C3 judge, if judging a car with a translucent fluid bottle, any color fluid would be OK - no deduction?

I ask because I also have a '58 Buick and there is a GM clear glass bottle of reserve ww fluid on the inner fender well and its fluid color is a pale green.

Thanks,
Tory

[Terry M.]

Re: WW fulid color?

Terry,

Yep, a black fluid container would make it easier. Unfortunately, for me ('75) the fluid color is visible. So, are you saying as a C3 judge, if judging a car with a translucent fluid bottle, any color fluid would be OK - no deduction?
Thanks,
Tory

Tory -- that is exactly what I am saying, but my area is 1968-1972. I was National Team Leader for 1970-72 for about 15 years and in that time I never heard anyone raise this issue on the show field -- not at Bloomington Gold either. Of course since you posted it may become the object de'jour. That is one of the joys of the Internet.

Now if only someone had an answer for you.

[Lawrence M.]

Re: WW fulid color?

Tory,
In the late 73-75 period I was selling cars at Humphrey Chevrolet in Evanston Ill. The Opti-Clean I would buy over the parts counter was blue in color and came in a glass bottle probably like that on your Buick. It was so cheap with my employee discount I would just throw the bottle away after filling the washer jug on my 74 Coupe. Sure wish I had saved all those triangle shaped bottles.

[Ridge K.]

Re: WW fulid color?

Tory, I think Terry M. has answered your question dinfinitively, from the judging perspective.

On just the curiosity side, I might throw in some light. As a teenager I went to work at a dealership in either very late 1970, or very early 1971 (I just can't remember the exact date). I know the 1971 models were out, with some leftover 1970 models. I was hired as a part-time detailer, and sometimes helper/flunkie (nowadays referred to as a "porter"). I would be assigned oil changes, and the topping off of fluids such as automatic transmission and windshield washer fluid.

The dealership had old stocks of GM "Optikleen", which was technically called a windshield washer solvent. Most remember the old triangular glass bottles of Optikleen, The fluid/solvent was a clear medium to light green in color. I am also involved in another side of this hobby with A-body muscle cars. These bottles and correct GM labels (and GM parts numbers) are often discussed with the Chevelle collectors. From these discussions, I have been told that the manufacture of these bottles ceased during 1969. I won't go further into that discussion on this Corvette TDB.
I can tell you the new one gallon (first in glass, later in translucent white plastic) bottles of GM windshield washer fluid contained a clearly medium blue colored fluid. When the changeover occurred, I can't tell you. If I had to make a wild guess, I would guess in early to mid 1970. Sorry, but as a teenager.... I just didn't pay close attention to these nuisances.

Hope this somewhat cloudy remembrance helps somewhat, Ridge

[Michael W.]

Re: WW fulid color?

.. I just didn't pay close attention to these nuisances.

I vote this as being the Freudian slip of the day!

Would GM have used different W/W fluid for cars destined for the frozen north, or was Optikleen good for sub zeros temps?

[Ridge K.]

Re: WW fulid color?

I vote this as being the Freudian slip of the day!

Would GM have used different W/W fluid for cars destined for the frozen north, or was Optikleen good for sub zeros temps?

Good one, Michael!

[Wayne M.]

Re: WW fulid color?

Would GM have used different W/W fluid for cars destined for the frozen north, or was Optikleen good for sub zeros temps?

Are you hinting that V48 was Optikleen-plus ?

P.S. Oops; mixing my fluid types here, but same principle.

[Tory S.]

Re: WW fulid color?

Lawrence & Ridge: Great info. Seems to be blue was the color in '75 at least.

Oh yeah, and Lawrence, you should have saved those bottles. I paid $20 for the bottle and another $8 for a cap for my '58!!

Thanks guys.

Tory