When I were a lad

[Bordfunker]

My Triumph Herald still has one!

Karl

 

[Ian James]

Mine was a Riley kestrel 1300 ex dad on a old G plate so I think that was reg around 1970 ??

 

[Rudi McAnichal]

First screen washer I ever saw had been fitted (probably by the local dealer) on an A40 Somerset that my uncle bought new about 1953. It was wonderfully simple, nozzles connected to a sort of squeezy bottle below the dashboard, within easy reach of the driver’s right hand. Nothing to go wrong, translucent bottle meant the driver could always see when it needed re-filling, never froze solid because it was inside the car rather than under the bonnet.

Uncle’s previous vehicle had been a Rover 10hp (c1940) with a long lever that only needed about 90 degrees movement to open or close the driver’s window. No need to wind a handle through several revolutions as with most cars of the period, and quicker than a modern electric window.

Some quite clever design features on those old cars.

 

[rtbcomp]

In my Riley you're so close to the windscreen I aimed a washing-up bottle through the driver's door window to squirt water on the screen.

 

[octo0072000]

In my Riley you're so close to the windscreen I aimed a washing-up bottle through the driver's door window to squirt water on the screen.

I used to do the same on an old Austin Devon late 50s old fairy washup bottle

 

[ajlelectronics]

I can not remember what it was fitted in (possibly a mini) but i once remember seeing a similar type with a rubber covered spring loaded plunger that was in the foot well and foot operated.

That was actually the headlight dip switch!

 

[8ob]

That was actually the headlight dip switch!

I think he means the wiper/washer foot switch that was on the old Mk1 escorts/cortina`s. Was leccy not a squiggy pump https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK1-ESCO...511038&hash=item4b19bc433f:g:qPIAAOSw6ShZQR6M

Noticed a lot of cars have gone back to a dash mounted start button, cant see the point in that

 

[RonA]

When I were a lad you used one of these to squirt water on your windscreen , Found it today while having a dungout

Bob

Anyone remember these ?

Yes, combined with vacuum wipers made driving an absolute joy.
RonA

 

[Robotstar5]

I think he means the wiper/washer foot switch that was on the old Mk1 escorts/cortina`s. Was leccy not a squiggy pump https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK1-ESCO...511038&hash=item4b19bc433f:g:qPIAAOSw6ShZQR6M

Noticed a lot of cars have gone back to a dash mounted start button, cant see the point in that

Probably because a lot of modern cars have keyless entry so they make it keyless starting too?

 

[8ob]

Yes, combined with vacuum wipers made driving an absolute joy.
RonA

Dad had an old 400e thames van with vac wipers, clog it up a hill or accelerate past a car and they used to stop. Run flat out when stopped at traffic lights and die when on the move, brilliant

Bob

 

[merryman]

That was actually the headlight dip switch!

Not on a Mini it wasn't. Pre 1963 Minis had the start button on the floor, though a lot of 1950s cars did have the floor mounted dip switch.
I once tried the washing up bottle method on a Metro, didn't work. Metro washer motors used to last about 6 months, because the motor was fixed to the bottom of the bottle, water leaked through the pump gland and into the motor, seizing it.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Metro washer motors used to last about 6 months

I read that as:
Metros motors used to last 6 months.

Opps

 

[Dieselman 63]

Metro washer motors used to last about 6 months

I read that as:
Metros motors used to last 6 months.

Opps

Pray tell, why was there ever confusion in the first place?

 

[octo0072000]

Not on a Mini it wasn't. Pre 1963 Minis had the start button on the floor, though a lot of 1950s cars did have the floor mounted dip switch.
I once tried the washing up bottle method on a Metro, didn't work. Metro washer motors used to last about 6 months, because the motor was fixed to the bottom of the bottle, water leaked through the pump gland and into the motor, seizing it.

headlamp dip switch was also on the floor to the left of the clutch pedal starter button was on the tunnel near drivers seat

 

[KemppiFrog]

headlamp dip switch was also on the floor to the left of the clutch pedal starter button was on the tunnel near drivers seat

Right. No solenoid as the starter switch carried the full current and the dipswitch made one quite quick on one's toes. ( I was going to say 'light on one's feet', but knowing you lot)
Our Bedford 'Workobus' didn't have a washer, so one was fitted that the plastic bottle hung under the steering column and you squeezed it between your knees. My brother had an Izetta and either followed a bus through a puddle or squirted from the side window.

 

[MBB]

When I was a lad the Excange & Mart was the greatest publication ever.
Good for toilet paper as well. when you went in the toilet you would be there hours reading it.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Ah, the old vacuum wipers, My Mk1 Zephyr Six had them, As 8ob says pulling up a hill they came to a dead stop, BUT going down hill with your foot off the throttle and they would be just a blur of speed.

 

[KemppiFrog]

When I was a lad the Excange & Mart was the greatest publication ever.
Good for toilet paper as well. when you went in the toilet you would be there hours reading it.

I understand there were quite some complaints in the Midwest of the USA when Sears & Robuck went from plain newspaper to glossy...

 

[Rudi McAnichal]

Ah, the old vacuum wipers.......pulling up a hill they came to a dead stop, BUT going down hill with your foot off the throttle and they would be just a blur of speed.

Father bought a Ford E83W van (the snub-nosed, 10cwt model) to use as a farm runabout. On the driver’s side, the previous owner had fitted an electric wiper that ran at a steady speed, while the original vacuum wiper had been moved to the passenger side. The effect of having one constant-speed and one variable-speed wiper was something I found really weird.

 

[arther dailey]

exchange and mart, yup I bought my first socket set from there age 17, still using it to this day although through losses about four replacement sockets ,true value for monies..