R713k228

Found this kit in one of the boxes that came with my car. An electric washer conversion kit for a 1959 Vette. Looks almost identical to the original system.Thinking about installing it on my car. Does anyone have any info on this system? Anyone ever use this system? Here are pics of the bottle and instruction sheet.

mike coletta

That is very cool. It looks like it was an accessory for Chevrolet passenger cars during that time frame. The pump head and lid are identical to the vacuum operated originals, except for the power and switch connections for the motor/pump. It appears as though you still need the "coordinator", and related parts added to your wiper motor. The wipers are turned on via vacuum to the coordinator, and then the pump pushes the fluid. I spent a lot of time during my NCRS years playing with the original systems, and was good friends with Tom Maxwell who was the guru to rebuilding them. The original was all vacuum operated, and very finicky. I can tell many stories about NCRS operations judging, and having one of those damn things not do what it was supposed to do.

I did some quick research on line, and I believe that you have an original part, that was available from Trico as an accesory item. Very cool.

Jay Maxwell (son of Tom Maxwell), is still a little involved in the business. The old business name was Capital Auto Restoration, Gaithersburg, Maryland. I don't know if that is still good. If you can get to Jay, he might be able to give you some insight on that system. Here is a video that Jay did about 1 year ago showing how to test the "coordinator", which you need to make your system work. Good luck.

R713k228

Mike,
I contacted Jay and he knows about the system, he says it's an aftermarket part, not a GM accessory.

Thanks again for the info. I've attached another pic of the complete kit I have.

dplotkin

Some trivia for you:
That Trico unit is the only Corvette part that is correct for a 1960 Chrysler who used it but one model year, returning to the previously used Jiffy Jet bag which didn't work any better but likely cost less.

Dan

Leo Guggenbiller

Thats really a neat set up. I bet your gla they provided all the electrical connections and the reducers. My son and I were pondering something like it we could “sneak” into m 61. Very interesting!

Drive em safe
Leo