Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Uncle Joe]

Quoting from an article in a magazine ''Most cars had screenwashers by the middle of the 1950's.''

How true is this statement? Does anyone know when they were first introduced as standard equipment, or even optional?

Thanks to JohnF for making me think of this topic!

[47p2]

My first couple of cars were 60s cars and screen washers were fitted as standard, the type you plunged the button. I remember upgrading them both to electric motors.
I would have thought it would be late 50s or even early 60s when they were fitted as standard.

The P2 doesn't have washers, much to the bemusement of the MOT tester
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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars

[ukdave2002]

Having screen washers is one of the few MOT requirements introduced that was made mandatory, regardless of age or whether an original fitment, the only allowances for not having it being if the vehicle has an opening windscreen. Like 47p2 it’s always a talking point when the series e gets mot’d

A screen washer certainly an option on my 1957 MGA, I guess they became standard in the early 60’s.

[47p2]

I wonder why an opening screen gets round the law?

Maybe we are supposed to sling the window open as we are overtaking a 12 axle artic truck in the pouring rain
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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars

[pigtin]

Back in the 60s we used to strap a piece of tubing to the wiper arm attached to washing up liquid bottle filled with water. I did this on my P2 after a horrendous journey at night in rain and spray from other vehicles.
I remember with the first mot's... if the car wasn't built with washers, it didn't need them.
I seem to recall that if you could open the windscreen far enough to see the road between the off-side wing and bonnet you didn't need washers or wipers. Modern cars don't have a gap there now?

[Uncle Joe]

I also remember using SU petrol pumps connected to a holed tube along the length of the wiper...anyone else done this?

[pigtin]

We used to use SU petrol pumps to circulate water through a heater rad if the car had a thermo-syphon system. It worked on the old Fords and Hillmans.
But by today's standards, only just. The tiniest bit of heat in those days was a luxury.

[peter scott]

[47p2]

I never thought of it that way Peter. However I will keep the screen closed
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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars

[clan chieftain]

I remember years ago driving the Lodekka for Central smt on a warm day I used to open the windscreen.
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The Clan Chieftain