Wiper Blades

[NOVA Airhead]

I need new wiper blades for my '71 Ghia but am having trouble sourcing a set in aluminum/silver as the car originally had. Does anyone have a suggestion on these? Will any 13 inch blade that accepts a J hook arm work such as this, although I am not sure if they are 13 inch:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1244124

Can a black set be painted aluminum and still look good?

Thanks.
_________________
Ghia Owner Emeritus

[cseay1]

I had a '62 Comet that was just a driver, so I didn't feel like shelling out $50 plus shipping for a pair of stainless reproductions from the Falcon/Comet parts place. I picked up a pair of the cheap black blades from the local parts store, slid the rubbers off, sprayed the frames with brake clean then argent wheel paint, then put the rubbers back in. They looked ok, and the paint held up until the rubber started to chatter.

[cseay1]

My catalog shows Anco 91-13 or Trico 13-1 for 68-74 Ghia 13" black metal frames. If they aren't direct fit to the oe arm they should include any adapter needed.

From my experience, Trico seems to fit older cars better .. The Trico is also sold by Carquest as Carquest part number 13-51

[carl4x4]

This may be a stupid question but are Ghia wiper arms and blades the same as Beetle ones of the same age?

Looking at some of the parts suppliers the left and right side ones look different?

[cseay1]

[carl4x4]

I have a couple of wiper arms in my box of bits from when I got the car, I assume dthey were wrong as they are of different lengths, I might take another look at them now as they might be correct for the car. Out of curiosity, what are the wiper blade lengths ?

[cseay1]

[cseay1]

note difference in distance between blade and arm

[carl4x4]

That's great thanks for doing that, I will measure them when I get home from work.

[cseay1]

If you want to go with a premium wiper blade the Bosch Excel+ part number is 41913 for 68-74 Ghia . Carquest same part number 41913. But again they are black, and the frames are more modern looking.

[cseay1]

KGPR shows this as 67-69 Ghia LH arm

And this as 67-69 Ghia RH arm

They show different part numbers for 70-72, then 73-74 but no pictures

* I believe the 73-74 oe arms are black

[cseay1]

Just to satisfy my own curiousity I ordered in some wiper blades for comparison .. first thing I discovered is that my 68 Ghia currently has 11" blades (maybe one of the previous owners went into the parts store and said "Give me a pair of blades for a '68 VW" and they assumed it was a Bug???)

[cseay1]

[cseay1]

The Trico is the sleekest of them all .. I also think it looks better with the solid rather than ventilated frame.

I'm going to try the 13", but I might go back to the 11" (or maybe a 12") if it looks better.

* note: all three wiper blades fit the stock arm straight out of the box without any adapters required .. the Trico was a perfect fit to the hook of the arm and went on with a positive click.. the Anco fits POORLY as the saddle is wider than the arm and it was hard to push on, it appears it might actually rock on the arm while the wiper is in use .. the Bosch fit ok but required swapping out the plastic saddle with one included in the box, fits ok but not as positive as the Trico

[cseay1]

Here are some reproduction silver wiper blades in 13" for 65-67 Porsche 911/912 that appear to take the same hook arm attachment as 68-74 Ghia (although I cannot tell for certain)

http://www.sierramadrecollection.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=8854

* note: my catalog shows 67 911 as taking a Trico 13-1 so I think it would be safe to say it should work

[NOVA Airhead]

Those look pretty nice.

Thanks
_________________
Ghia Owner Emeritus

[cseay1]

With 11" blades:

[cseay1]

With 13" blades:

[cseay1]

Note 13" blade overlaps windshield trim at lower driver's side corner:

[Ian Godfrey]

When the pivots aren't worn and the arms are well located on the shaft 13" blades park close to the trim but shouldn't go over.