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Hidden windshield wipers . . . .WHY ! ? ! ? !
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 319
Likes: 27
Hidden windshield wipers . . . .WHY ! ? ! ? !
The Vette is in the tent, all apart and not likely to be out back together, but just spent around an hour or more mining the ice and snow for the hidden wipers on the Mustang. Finger frozen to the bone and wondering why on earth al of the current cars have the wipers hidden? Sure lakes for an awful experience if you don't have a garage ! !
If it's for style, it's a bad mix of form and function, if it's for aerodynamics it's idiotic given that most cars will barely top 150 mph and current speed limits hold them to around 55 with the threat of a speeding ticket and insurance surcharge keeping them there.
Just had to rant while my fingers thaw out, MAN does this **** ever bother me ! ! ! An answer with some facts behind it would be VERY helpful, a "me too" or anything including the words "brother in law" just isn't all that welcome in my current state of mind . . . . of course a "Be thankful that you don't drive a '68 to '72 Vette." might cheer me up.
If it's for style, it's a bad mix of form and function, if it's for aerodynamics it's idiotic given that most cars will barely top 150 mph and current speed limits hold them to around 55 with the threat of a speeding ticket and insurance surcharge keeping them there.
Just had to rant while my fingers thaw out, MAN does this **** ever bother me ! ! ! An answer with some facts behind it would be VERY helpful, a "me too" or anything including the words "brother in law" just isn't all that welcome in my current state of mind . . . . of course a "Be thankful that you don't drive a '68 to '72 Vette." might cheer me up.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,665
Likes: 2,564
what year mustang has hidden wipers ? The current generation 15 through 18 doesnt.
many other GM products had "hidden" wipers in the sense that they parked down lower than the normal low point of the wipe. The Firdbird, Camaro, GTO, etc. had this feature for styling purposes. Corvette C3 started with the door and eventually extended the hood got rid of the door and lowered the park position.
many other GM products had "hidden" wipers in the sense that they parked down lower than the normal low point of the wipe. The Firdbird, Camaro, GTO, etc. had this feature for styling purposes. Corvette C3 started with the door and eventually extended the hood got rid of the door and lowered the park position.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,992
Likes: 9,355
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
GM came up with that brilliant idea in 68 and used them on most cars to this day. its a great idea until you really need them in foul weather. and if you buy the wrong height wiper blades its even more fun
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,033
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
I had to drive my 68 for four and a half years due to a divorce, in Cleveland, Ohio.
The 68-72 wiper panel was engineered to break 3/8" of ice and your wiper arms did not have any ice on them, when they came out! Lou.
The 68-72 wiper panel was engineered to break 3/8" of ice and your wiper arms did not have any ice on them, when they came out! Lou.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
The wiper door can operate against 3/8th inch of ice with a vacuum can? Oh, I see. It Wes ENGINEERED to... another thought. You have 3/8th inch of ice on your 68-72 Vette, you got NO damn bidness even thinking about driving it!!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,033
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
I moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina when I retired! And yes, some of us actually had to DRIVE our cars back in the day. The headlights were also engineered to break through thin ice. I did cheat and beat on top of my wiper panel with my ice scraper to break up the ice first.
I will say that I am amazed about one thing driving my 68 coupe for over 45 years now. The eight special screws that hold the wiper grille panel never had the heads rust. That is unbelievable. And I always use never-seize on the threads of screws and bolts. Lou.
I will say that I am amazed about one thing driving my 68 coupe for over 45 years now. The eight special screws that hold the wiper grille panel never had the heads rust. That is unbelievable. And I always use never-seize on the threads of screws and bolts. Lou.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Grapevine Tx
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
2016 C3 of the Year Finalist
That's why they have the controls to leave the door open and park the wipers on the windshield. Not just for washing or changing blades.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 154
From: Deplorableville Nebraska
In my opinion, anyone who doesn't believe in the power of the wiper door vacuum system has never had their hand below the open door when it comes down! Big time ouch followed by *#@*&! vocabulary. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
old NORTHERN VERMONT TRICK
The Vette is in the tent, all apart and not likely to be out back together, but just spent around an hour or more mining the ice and snow for the hidden wipers on the Mustang. Finger frozen to the bone and wondering why on earth al of the current cars have the wipers hidden? Sure lakes for an awful experience if you don't have a garage ! !
If it's for style, it's a bad mix of form and function, if it's for aerodynamics it's idiotic given that most cars will barely top 150 mph and current speed limits hold them to around 55 with the threat of a speeding ticket and insurance surcharge keeping them there.
Just had to rant while my fingers thaw out, MAN does this **** ever bother me ! ! ! An answer with some facts behind it would be VERY helpful, a "me too" or anything including the words "brother in law" just isn't all that welcome in my current state of mind . . . . of course a "Be thankful that you don't drive a '68 to '72 Vette." might cheer me up.
If it's for style, it's a bad mix of form and function, if it's for aerodynamics it's idiotic given that most cars will barely top 150 mph and current speed limits hold them to around 55 with the threat of a speeding ticket and insurance surcharge keeping them there.
Just had to rant while my fingers thaw out, MAN does this **** ever bother me ! ! ! An answer with some facts behind it would be VERY helpful, a "me too" or anything including the words "brother in law" just isn't all that welcome in my current state of mind . . . . of course a "Be thankful that you don't drive a '68 to '72 Vette." might cheer me up.
gonna snow/ice/ snizzle???? Cover the windshield with a sucky cup bath mat. The suction cups stick to the windshield a trick...the bottom of the mat covers the wipers and grille...Peel off mat (it's cold so it un- sucks easily) and EVERYTHING IS CLEAR....no scraping.
Just don't put anything that will freeze to the paint!
Okay C-3 hidden wipers actually work well when they are correct...it's a styling gimmick. On the stupid ideas scale...C-3 version... its a number 3
Number one is 'Astro Ventilation', number two is fiber optic light monitors.
Now go down to Bill Mitchell's grave and pour beer on his headstone...he's to blame! Kidding, Kidding, he's a GOD!
William L. “Bill” Mitchell
BIRTH 2 Jul 1912 Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA
DEATH 12 Sep 1988 Royal Oak, Oakland County, Michigan, USA
BURIAL Unknown
MEMORIAL ID 99709032
cheer up 6 more months until the window gaskets leak!
Unkahal
Last edited by L-46man; Jan 10, 2018 at 05:45 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,033
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
I agree about the Astro Ventilation but the wiper panel is practical, and kind of cool. And ALL cars should have the fiber optic monitors for safety. One evening I was showing someone my car and realized that my brake lights were out! I would not have known this otherwise. That was a bummer driving in traffic with no brake lights. I actually have all four of my 68 taillights monitored, because I added the second pair to my shifter plate. Lou.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,147
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
I agree about the Astro Ventilation but the wiper panel is practical, and kind of cool. And ALL cars should have the fiber optic monitors for safety. One evening I was showing someone my car and realized that my brake lights were out! I would not have known this otherwise. That was a bummer driving in traffic with no brake lights. I actually have all four of my 68 taillights monitored, because I added the second pair to my shifter plate. Lou.
Pretty sad as my 85 star-wars dash goes dark if it's night and you don't have the headlights on. My2006 HHR is totally automatic.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,095
Likes: 4,022
From: New Braunfels Texas
The hidden wiper are awesome to me.......it trims up the look of the car and helps it stay crisp along that area.......
The "long" standard hoods and especially the L-88 long hood just look wrong to me.......
Tie it together with the sharp bumpers and side grilles that have some character, and that is why the early cars look the best......to me.
Practically though.......to own one......it sucks LOL!
Jebby
The "long" standard hoods and especially the L-88 long hood just look wrong to me.......
Tie it together with the sharp bumpers and side grilles that have some character, and that is why the early cars look the best......to me.
Practically though.......to own one......it sucks LOL!
Jebby
Last edited by Jebbysan; Jan 21, 2019 at 01:03 PM.