Reminiscing over push pump windscreen washers

[PINBALL]

Had a prob on the w210 where w/washer jet tubes popped off after freezing up!

And can't help remembering fun and games with the old push and electric washer pumps where the clear tubes attached to back of handle or switch on dashboard would come loose with age or just split and shower all the electrics under the dash with fluid.

Or as in my case most times - Fairy liquid.

Handy for those times when you've got dirty hands that need to be cleaned though!

 

[McDonald]

My first car was a 1957 Ford Anglia, and I bought it for £23.00. It had hydraulic windscreen wipers which made a wheezing sound like someone with bad athsma. They went more slowly as the car went faster, so at the dizzying speed of 50mph, they stopped altogether. I now wonder if it was a safety feature, ahead of it's time. I never got a speeding ticket in that car.
The paintwork was two tone, black and lilac. Sadly the top half of the colourway, lilac, had been done with wood paint, so if you leaned against the car it came off on your clothes.
You never forget your first...

 

[Tony MB]

My first car was Ford Anglia and as I remember the choke and starter buttons were pull type.....The cars of yesteryear could always be driven home with the help of some wire or silver paper

 

[mikestrivens]

My first car was also a blue Ford Anglia, 1963 reg: DPL38B, the same colour as in the Harry Potter films. I loved the inverse sloping rear window as it never got frosted up. It was a brilliant learner vehicle and I was very happy doing my own maintenance as they were so simple.

 

[LostKiwi]

It had hydraulic windscreen wipers

They were actually vacuum operated. We had them on our 100E Prefect.

My 1962 Mini (my first car REG number EY5038) had push washers. At least we never had freezing temps but they were still a PITA.

I also had a button on the floor to engage the starter and a foot operated dipswitch. Ah - the joys of those early days....

My second car (1965 Mini Cooper S DW5038) was positively luxurious by comparison with retrofitted electric screen wash and a proper key start . Still had slidey windows and pull string doors (and door pockets you could lose a dozen beers in).

 

[PINBALL]

I also had a button on the floor to engage the starter and a foot operated dipswitch. Ah - the joys of those early days....

Thanks LostKIWI I'd completely forgotten about that floor operated dipswitch.

 

[ajlsl600]

LK i also has a cooper , great fun too, no money in those days so most weekends fixing it so i could get to work the following week! exhaust breaking up from manifold clamps a frequent aggrivation . especially if eng tie rod bushes weak .

 

[LostKiwi]

LK i also has a cooper , great fun too, no money in those days so most weekends fixing it so i could get to work the following week! exhaust breaking up from manifold clamps a frequent aggrivation . especially if eng tie rod bushes weak .

I have a photo somewhere of my Cooper S on its side resting on the back seat and a couple of beer crates to keep the side panels off the ground while we fixed the exhaust. It was much easier than faffing underneath!

 

[ajlsl600]

i had a similar opertunity once after rolling mine onto roof whilst driving in a spirited manner around recently regritted country roads, funny ,never thought to look at exhaust at the time .!

 

[anglaslt]

Ford Cortinas (Mk3 I think) had a foot operated wash/wipe. You could tell kids they were "magic" wipers. With both hands on the wheel just say "wipe" and they did

 

[Flyinspanner]

Capillary oil pressure gauge on an MGB once dumped hot oil all over the drivers footwell, pipe split and a fine mist was sprayed into the back of the dash, the footwell, my trousers and trainers.....

Then a couple of weeks later a loom fire (oil ingress)

Put in new carpet set while I was at it.....
Binned trousers n trainers....