TRICO Wiper Blade Design Changeover in 1969

[Edgemontvillage]

From my review, 1968 Camaros used a peaked style TRICO brushed stainless wiper blade stamped MADE IN USA (Photos 1 & 2). As best I can determine this peaked design carried through into the 1969 production year however at some point Chevrolet switched to a bevelled design (Photos 3 & 4). Does anyone have information on when the bevelled design came into assembly line use?

Photo 1 - TRICO Peaked Design


Photo 2 - TRICO Peaked Design


Photo 3 - TRICO Bevelled Design


Photo 4 TRICO Bevelled Design

[BillOhio]

I believe my wipers are factory and they are the peaked design.  03D

[68camaroz28]

Our 69 Nova survivor Willow Run 03D has the beveled wiper blade holders and friends 09D (late Sept69) Hugger Orange survivor NOR Camaro has beveled blade holders. I started to wonder about the same thing when I found differences between the 68 and 69 model years while researching correctness for our 68Z restoration.

[KevinW]

Hey Lloyd, A lot of parts had design changes between Dec 68 and Jan 69, then we see some of the parts bleeding over into Feb at least as old parts were being used up, rear spoilers, wood steering wheels, kick panels, etc. Maybe these were part of those changes.

[JohnZ]

My original 02D '69 Norwood Z has the "peaked" wiper blades. The exact same blades (not arms) were also used on '66-'67 Corvettes.

[68camaroz28]

The exact same blades (not arms) were also used on '66-'67 Corvettes.

Agree John but I think those used in 66/67 did not have "made in USA" stamped in.

[ZLP955]

Was it common practice back in the day to just replace the rubber insert once it was worn? Just wondering how sure one can be that the blades are original to a car.
When Dad and I (as a kid) were servicing our family cars, we often swapped the blade and rubber insert together as a unit, especially if the blade got scratched or bent.

[BillOhio]

Here's mine. My car shows 12000 on odometer and when the 4.88 gears were installed, they changed the speedometer to compensate.  They changed it the wrong way in teeth numbers and it was adding miles Alot faster than it should.  I estimate from what I know of the history, it could be under 10,000 miles actual. The inserts in my wiper were bad and guessed they could be original to the car.

[JohnZ]

The exact same blades (not arms) were also used on '66-'67 Corvettes.

Agree John but I think those used in 66/67 did not have "made in USA" stamped in.

On Corvettes, the "Made In USA" stamp (on one end of the peaked holder) started in January, 1967, and was phased in on BOTH ends by the end of the model year.

[68camaroz28]

The exact same blades (not arms) were also used on '66-'67 Corvettes.

Agree John but I think those used in 66/67 did not have "made in USA" stamped in.

On Corvettes, the "Made In USA" stamp (on one end of the peaked holder) started in January, 1967, and was phased in on BOTH ends by the end of the model year.

Thanks John as our 67 has or had those wing type Anco on which I know are wrong. Good info to know concerning the stamping timeframes!
Bill, what is the build time-frame for your 69?

[Edgemontvillage]

The exact same blades (not arms) were also used on '66-'67 Corvettes.

Agree John but I think those used in 66/67 did not have "made in USA" stamped in.

On Corvettes, the "Made In USA" stamp (on one end of the peaked holder) started in January, 1967, and was phased in on BOTH ends by the end of the model year.

John, for greater clarity, do the wiper blades on your Z/28 have the "MADE IN USA" stamp on both ends of each blade?

[JohnZ]

The exact same blades (not arms) were also used on '66-'67 Corvettes.

Agree John but I think those used in 66/67 did not have "made in USA" stamped in.

On Corvettes, the "Made In USA" stamp (on one end of the peaked holder) started in January, 1967, and was phased in on BOTH ends by the end of the model year.

John, for greater clarity, do the wiper blades on your Z/28 have the "MADE IN USA" stamp on both ends of each blade?

Yes, they do.

[68camaroz28]

Lloyd, yesterday looked at a 06A NOR Camaro that had original paint and was a pretty neat car (un-restored) and it had peaked blades.
Bill's car is 03D!

[Edgemontvillage]

Lloyd, yesterday looked at a 06A NOR Camaro that had original paint and was a pretty neat car (un-restored) and it had peaked blades.
Bill's car is 03D!

Thanks Chick, based on very limited data it seems the peaked style TRICO blade continued to be installed on Camaros as original equipment (Norwood and Van Nuys?) until at least early June, 1969.  I would be interested in hearing from others with original wiper blades.  

[mr chevy409]

Hi guys my 1969 Camaro is a 05A (JL8) z/28  my blades are original I believe, and  they are peaked and say TRICO made in USA on both ends , car was never apart as far as I cloud tell when I started my restoration. I haven't been on here in a while as  family and health issues had me shelve the project. IAM  back on the job! I will be posting more often. John C.

[69Z28-RS]

45-46 yr old cars with original wiper blades?   Those cars must be totally rustfree as well, since they apparently have never been driven in the rain.. 

[Boston14]

My car has original "blades" too.  Early 1969 built 11 D of 68 with peaked design and Trico made in USA on both ends. I think most people (like me) just replaced the inserts. That's why all the original "blades".

[BillOhio]

I did get new inserts for mine and slid right in

[69Z28-RS]

Posted by: Boston14 
"My car has original "blades" too.  Early 1969 built 11 D of 68 with peaked design and Trico made in USA on both ends. I think most people (like me) just replaced the inserts. That's why all the original "blades".  "
-------------------------------------------

Yes, I do the same thing the majority of the time, but occasionally I do purchase complete new blades or arms.    My Camaro has the original arms, but the blades on it are 'flat top' (not peaked), so I must have purchased new ones after I purchased it between '76 and '80.  I do remember painting them 'flat black' to reduce the glare... 

[Bryan302]

I just checked and my 69 05A Z/28 has a pair of the Trico peaked, made in U. S. A.

Bryan

[Bryan302]

oops, the Trico USA is on both ends of each one.

[janobyte]

peaked , " Trico Made in the USA " one side.   04D 68

[68camaroz28]

peaked , " Trico Made in the USA " one side.   04D 68

That's interesting as many of us thought 68's have made in usa both ends.

[janobyte]

Always assumed these were not original to the car until reading over the thread. Like Gary, my Dad sprayed the wipers ,but more for looks (Ashgold likes black highlights IMO) Going back to 76.

Car was never in the snow or rain(since 76 for sure) ,I've never seen the wipers move. Story goes never prior. I'll check for part numbers this week. Little details like this interests me.

[BillOhio]

I found what looked like us patent numbers that I couldnt read, eyes going! And one Canada on other side. I didn't find a part number

[BULLITT65]

My 08C (late 69) has the peaked design as well TRICO made in the USA.

[dannystarr]

Mine were not original, so I can't help. But I thought I read that if it is on one side only it's Corvette.. Danny

[68camaroz28]

Mine were not original, so I can't help. But I thought I read that if it is on one side only it's Corvette.. Danny

JohnZ's post #8 on this thread- "On Corvettes, the "Made In USA" stamp (on one end of the peaked holder) started in January, 1967, and was phased in on BOTH ends by the end of the model year."

[janobyte]

well..car's certainly not a vette ,lol. Just what's on my car?  My eyes are going too, up there with reading glasses on trying to catch certain light reflections to see the numbers. But for sure ,only stamped on one side. Actually not that big of a deal to me as I already wrote them off long ago ,but I am curious.

[KurtS]

05C NOR - peaked

[x66 714]

I just saw this. My 68, 02E has peaked. The 08E 1969 car has the beveled type....Joe