Topic: Wiper arm finish

[rrenz]

Since we're on the topic of washer systems do we have an approximate change over date from the polished wiper arms to the satin? Searches didn't really turn up a concise answer

[Hipo giddyup]

 I was just thinking of this over the past few days! I will soon be taking over my friends 1966 Metuchen built coupe (Dec. 7th 1965 scheduled build) and his car has the shiny wiper arms. I was thinking they were phased out by the 66' model year for safety issues (very reflective in the bright sun). I would love to hear some feedback on this as well.

[Bob Gaines]

It became a federal regulation for the 1966 model year that the wiper blades and arms be satin finish .

[Hipo giddyup]

Thanks Bob. I totally see why although some folks liked the bling. 

[rrenz]

Only reason I ask is the arms I took off seem to polished. Not so sure if they're original to the car or not however they are stamped trico. Not familiar with the original markings.

[Andrew@MagMustangs]

It became a federal regulation for the 1966 model year that the wiper blades and arms be satin finish .

Bob, is it known whether the fed regulation became mandatory at start of model year, or a Jan 1, 1966 mandate similar to the Jan 1, 1968 regs?

Have had many 66 cars with stainless wipers correctly styled for the year with the rolled mounting ends. So many in fact, that for the longest time I thought that brushed satin didn't start until the 67 MY.

[CharlesTurner]

Have had many 66 cars with stainless wipers correctly styled for the year with the rolled mounting ends. So many in fact, that for the longest time I thought that brushed satin didn't start until the 67 MY.

+1, I thought that also for a long time, but then started seeing the satin ones use on later '66 cars.

Also, just for the record, the earlier ones with the flared base were chrome on the end with stainless arms.

[Bob Gaines]

Only reason I ask is the arms I took off seem to polished. Not so sure if they're original to the car or not however they are stamped trico. Not familiar with the original markings.

FYI both arms in the pictures are stainless material. You have to be careful with the satin stainless arms because if you rub it too much in the cleaning process it will become too shiny . Unlike the shiny 65 arm where if you get a scratch in it you can polish it out the 66 satin arm once you get a scratch in it there is not a way i am aware of to make it look all satin again .  The satin diecast splined end on the other hand can not effectively be made to look like shiny chrome. It can be made to look shiner then satin but not close to the brilliance of chrome. In the end the chrome and stainless 65 is only going to ever look like stainless and chrome and the 66 arm although can be made to look shinier will never look as good as a 65 chrome and stainless arm IMO. Your picture shows a somewhat satin looking die cast end connected to the shinier stainless arm. That would indicate the stainless portion started out satin before someone polished it.

[Bob Gaines]

Bob, is it known whether the fed regulation became mandatory at start of model year, or a Jan 1, 1966 mandate similar to the Jan 1, 1968 regs?

Have had many 66 cars with stainless wipers correctly styled for the year with the rolled mounting ends. So many in fact, that for the longest time I thought that brushed satin didn't start until the 67 MY.

It is my understanding that it was supposed to start with 66 production. I am not sure how strict the feds were on implementation. For instance Shelby American had 252 1966 models (made from 65 fastbacks) with the shiny arms and I never read about a recall for those. This was not just for Ford Mustang but all American made makes and models  . This is Old news IMO.

[Bob Gaines]

Bob, is it known whether the fed regulation became mandatory at start of model year, or a Jan 1, 1966 mandate similar to the Jan 1, 1968 regs?

Have had many 66 cars with stainless wipers correctly styled for the year with the rolled mounting ends. So many in fact, that for the longest time I thought that brushed satin didn't start until the 67 MY.

The chrome rolled mounting ends started when the chrome wiper trim rings in earlier 65 production were eliminated. FYI the cowl changed shape too.  The arms used with the chrome rings did not have that bevel contour at the base. The 65 Mustangs without the chrome rings used the chrome arm with the contoured base.  The contour in the sheet metal cowl at the wiper hole was changed to a flatter design (in that hole area) because the chrome arm with the bevel base cosmetically compensated for it. It wasn't until 66 production that the satin base arm was used. I hope I explained the difference for the cowls in a clear enough way. If not someone else feel free to elaborate.

[J_Speegle]

................ I hope I explained the difference for the cowls in a clear enough way. If not someone else feel free to elaborate.

Let me try with pictures. Notice the "bump" (purple arrow) in the cowl sheet metal panel, behind the wiper post in each picture

And no,   originally the posts would not be body color. They were added after the body was painted

Upper example in each picture is the early version the lower is the later.  Change over would differ slightly depending on assembly plant

[Bob Gaines]

Thanks for the pictures for the cowl detail Jeff. It was better then my words.

[sgl66]

October Metuchen

[jwc66k]

Oct 65 San Jose - shiny chrome.
Jim