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General Discussion => Q & A => Topic started by: elagache on November 05, 2014, 04:04:49 PM

Title: What did a original 1965 wiper blade look like?
Post by: elagache on November 05, 2014, 04:04:49 PM
Dear 1965 Buick GS experts,

I decided to give my trusty wagon a little luv in the form of OPGI reproduction wiper blades and arms.  I put the OPGI parts next to the originals and took some pictures for comparison.  Here is the overall view:

(http://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/OPGI-vs-OEM-wiper-parts/i-dVKKzjS/0/L/OPGI%20reproduction%20parts%20on%20top%20of%20originals%20-L.jpg) (http://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/OPGI-vs-OEM-wiper-parts/i-dVKKzjS/A)

There is no mistaking that the OPGI wiper arm is a meticulous reproduction of the original:

(http://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/OPGI-vs-OEM-wiper-parts/i-kGtGCX2/0/L/Wiper%20arm%20comparison%20-L.jpg) (http://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/OPGI-vs-OEM-wiper-parts/i-kGtGCX2/A)

I suppose this is a case where OPGI had gotten hold the the original molds for this part.

It may well be the case that the same is true for the wiper blade, but that's not what is on my wagon right now:

(http://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/OPGI-vs-OEM-wiper-parts/i-qnz73Kb/0/L/Reproduction%20blade%20over%20original%20-L.jpg) (http://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/OPGI-vs-OEM-wiper-parts/i-qnz73Kb/A)

Here is a photo that really shows the difference in the refill installation setup:

(http://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/OPGI-vs-OEM-wiper-parts/i-j6Q6wTw/0/L/Reproduction%20blage%20over%20original%20-%20side%20view%20-L.jpg) (http://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/OPGI-vs-OEM-wiper-parts/i-j6Q6wTw/A)

Those wiper blades have been there for as long as I can remember, but I didn't start working on the car until she was around 10 years old, so they easily could have been replaced before then.  Can somebody confirm my suspicions that the OPGI part is what is supposed to be there, and my wagon has been using some aftermarket blade for something like 40 years?

Thanks for the expertise to be found on this board!  :hello2:

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: What did a original 1965 wiper blade look like?
Post by: Mark Ascher on November 06, 2014, 06:10:37 PM
See photo.
Title: Thanks Mark! (Re: What did a original 1965 wiper blade look like?)
Post by: elagache on November 06, 2014, 09:05:15 PM
Dear Mark and 1965 GS fans,

Quote from: Mark Ascher on November 06, 2014, 06:10:37 PM
See photo.

Okay, interesting!  So Buick was using Trilco for their wiper blades, but clearly my trusty wagon had a wiper blade transplant early in her life.  The OPGI wiper blades are close, but indeed not 100% original.  That may be close enough for my needs, I'm not a stickler like a lot of you guys.  However, for curiosity sake, is there a source for the genuine article or is this something you need to scrounge from old stock?

Thanks again Mark!  :thumbsup:

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: What did a original 1965 wiper blade look like?
Post by: dsags on November 06, 2014, 09:38:38 PM
Got mine on eBay. They come up from time to time.