Speedblade wipers

[SADLOTUS]

Hi all, wonder if people could tell me something about the wire backed Trico Speedblade wipers? All the wipers I've seen for sale have been 7mm bayonet fitting and 14inches or longer. Someone told me the other day that they were never made with the 5mm fitting, and that they were available on late S4 onwards as 14inch. I cannot be positive but I'm sure I've seen the wipers as delicate 5mm 12inch on cars at various Lotus shows...... maybe I didn't. Anyone have definitive answer?

[Jason1]

Hi

15 inch for the +2, I spent a long time tracking them down for mine.

I found one new pair at Beaulieu (think they were ?30) for Si and that is a big place. Could not find any for myself.

Later found 2 used pairs at Stoneleigh (I bought them both) from a Cortina seller for ?30 a pair. They are not cheap but do look much better than the modern black plastic ones.

Still looking for refills..

Jason

[SADLOTUS]

Jason, you're right, they look much nicer than modern plastic ones although I do still like the stainless/chrome/ali sort. 15inch Cortina ones are 7mm arms and bayonets and ..... but not positive.... larger splines.
Are the Speedblade version actually any better at staying on the screen at speed, or is this a 60's idea that was good in theory but not so sucessful in excecution? I know my ordinary wipers used to lift over 80.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :RTQ:UK:11

These are 7mm/15inch (Ends Oct 30th)

[Si_130/5]

They whistle a bit at speed.

Si

[trw99]

They must be happy then!

Tim

[Si_130/5]

I know the '73 S130s came with solid metal wipers made by Trico but I'm not sure whether Speedblades were also fitted to this model.

Does anyone know?

Si

[trw99]

Si

Quick check reveals the road test car from 1971 had Speedblades fitted. The car was AVF 500J, a Plus 2S 130.

Also the +2S YPW 400J had them in 1971 and the +2S VAH 800H in 1970

Just found them on PAH 120F from 1968 too.

Tim

[Si_130/5]

Thanks for that Tim,

Wasn't AVF 500J the red and metalflake one that got stuck in a blizzard up in the French Alpes with a cracked distributor?
Is there is any evidence of an S130/5 having speedblades from new (Oct 1972)?

Thanks again,

Si

[trw99]

Sorry Si, Plus 2's are not an area I have any real knowledge of.

There were but a handful of UK road tests of the 130/5 according to Robinshaw & Ross, only two in 1973. I do not have copies of them so can add nothing more.

Have just found a copy of the advert of a 130/5 arriving for dinner at some smart house (Chapman's?) with a Rolls Royce in the background. That has got Speedblades fitted and is from Autocar Oct 72

Tim

[rjaxe]

My "J" reg S130 has them and they do look good its a shame the wiper performance is so sluggish. Is this a problem with my car or a generic issue?

[Si_130/5]

Thanks Tim,

I know that picture - I stare at it every day as it's my desktop background. You could be right but the wipers look a bit solid for Speedblades in my version. Picture herewith (reversed negative).

Best wishes,

Simon

[Si_130/5]

Hello rjaxe,

I think many cars have the sluggish wiper syndrome but it's usually due to a poor earth somewhere.

Regards,

Si

[trw99]

Simon

The pictures (there are two, the other one does not have so much rain in it!) were used for adverts and on the front of the Group Lotus 1972 Annual Report & Accounts, a copy of which I have. I have just double checked with my magnifying glass and can assure you the Speedblade is fitted. There is also a picture of the interior of an Europa inside the report, again clearly showing a Speedblade.

I think your picture is the wrong way round, by the way!

Tim

[trw99]

I have just discovered a supplier of replacement wiper blades to fit the original Trico Speedblade. They are listed by a Triumph specialist for the Stag. The page is at:

http://www.ldparts.co.uk/shop/shop.php? ... bebe471db6

I had not come across these before so shall get some to try out. Might have to do a bit of cutting to get the correct fit.

Tim

[rjaxe]

Thanks Si, I will check out the earthing.