I was reading that electric wipers were a 13.00 option on the 1940 Plymouth.
I wonder why if they were availalbe in 1940, why it took so long before they became standard equipment on Plymouths, and for that matter all American cars?
Cold night here in the Catskills,
Thanks in advance,
Bob
They were standard on the 1940 Dodge - but then, that's why you bought a Dodge! Higher priced so more "standard" features. Would love to find a junked '40 Dodge with electric wipers. I did find a set of dual electric wipers for my '41 PT125 pickup....nothing left of it except the cab, got a good glove box, interior dome light and the dual wipers plus a drivers arm rest that doesn't fit -- yes, the door interior is DIFFERENT if it had an arm rest!
Electric wipers were criticized when they started to become standard because they were too slow. This was mentioned in drive reports on the 51 Plymouth and it was true of other cars as well.
I own both a 50 and a 51 and believe it or not I prefer the vacuum wipers on the 50 which are assisted by a booster on the fuel pump. The speed is infinitely variable and they are quieter . Would I accept vacuum wipers on a modern car. Absolutely not. Would I convert my 50, 40, or 35 Plymouths to electric. No. The addition of a vacuum reservoir is simple and effective for hills. But like any other part on an old car, vacuum wiper motors need to be serviced and most of the complaints I hear about them are because the motors need cleaning and lubrication.
Electric wipers were also standard on 39 Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler , why did it take so long for Plymouth to catch up, i know Plymouth was the economy model , but 11-12 years behind the others,sounds a bit like Henry.
Bob, you didn't ask but I presume that living where you do, uphill climbs in the rain can be probelematic with the vacuum wipers. A simple addition will give you a bit better operation with out a lot of work. At the recycling yard find a GM car from the late 80's early 90's and liberate its under hood vacuum canister. Thew look like a # 10 tin can with a couple of hoses attached to them and usually provided for operaton of heater doors and other things. Mount it up under you dash in the vacuum line. They have a check valve in them and will accumulate enough vacuum to provide 10 to 12 wiperstrokes under low engine vacuum conditions.
Do you go to the spring show at Rhinebeck?? My sister in law lives in Highfalls, NY (ulster county) We get doen there 3 or 4 times a year. If you're close maybe we can give you a shout next time we are down that way.
Yes, I know were HighFalls is, we live in Neversink, which is located about 20 miles west of the Napanoch, Ellenville are on Rt 55
I have taken my Plymouth to Rhinebeck once, but the old car isn't show quality. We usaully attend on Sunday as spectators.
You are more than welcome to stop in.
Another point of Interst, My wife is from the Hamilton area in Madison County.
We moved down here 15 years ago this coming June.
I use to work with a man that lived in Manulius (sp)
Small world, My sis in law used to teach at the Ellenville School, I worked at the college in Morrisville, had lots of employees from Hamilton, just east of Hamilton, and I live in Manlius.
And for you non NewYorkers, here is a ponderable. Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY, Hamilton College in in Clinton, NY, and Clinton Community College is in Bluff Point NY (near Plattsburg) and just so you are not confused the State University of Plattsburg is conveniently located in Plattsburg.
Colgate Group of investment Bankers has it main office on Wall Street in Manhattan, but Manhattan College is in the Bronx. SUNY Buffalo is in Amhearst, while Buffalo State College, is indeed, in Buffalo.
This completes or tour watch your step exiting the bus.
Talk about a small world, I grew up 30 miles northwest of Plattsburg on a farm in Ellenburg Depot,NY
My youngest son graduated from SUNY Morrisville, plus my wife went there also in the middle '60's
Uh, I graduated from Morrisville in 68.