Winter driving, back in the day.

47topless

Well-known member
Looking at the photo on Bert's new catalogue, begs the question, without a forced air heater and defroster, how did they keep their windshield from frosting over, back in the day? Seems like it would be impossible to drive in the cold weather.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2512.jpg
    IMG_2512.jpg
    45.7 KB · Views: 402
Looking at the photo on Bert's new catalogue, begs the question, without a forced air heater and defroster, how did they keep their windshield from frosting over, back in the day? Seems like it would be impossible to drive in the cold weather.
590212
 
No windows. No heater?
 

Attachments

  • ford-model-a-custom-delivery-car-for-sale-can-solve-new-york-snow-problems-video_2.jpg
    ford-model-a-custom-delivery-car-for-sale-can-solve-new-york-snow-problems-video_2.jpg
    74.3 KB · Views: 403
Small vacuum powered Trico fans aimed at the windshield for defrost.


I drive my '34 nearly year round, it barely gets below freezing here, and it puts out plenty of heat to take off the chill through the floor and firewall even with extra insulation in place.
 

Attachments

  • trico.jpg
    trico.jpg
    57.8 KB · Views: 380
Bull Durham
 

Attachments

  • MMpZ-bQeV9sWDe74X8asOa82oMTQ55YIajHwS8AC_QVyTNkUO6-iQz3GH3zFzIj48QprPMlFJSzl-BoC5_yOazw1sCJqPdVr.jpg
    MMpZ-bQeV9sWDe74X8asOa82oMTQ55YIajHwS8AC_QVyTNkUO6-iQz3GH3zFzIj48QprPMlFJSzl-BoC5_yOazw1sCJqPdVr.jpg
    51.7 KB · Views: 376
Small vacuum powered Trico fans aimed at the windshield for defrost.


I drive my '34 nearly year round, it barely gets below freezing here, and it puts out plenty of heat to take off the chill through the floor and firewall even with extra insulation in place.
590214
 
I had a VW bug work car 50+ years ago. The heat tubes were inside the rockers and long rusted away. I had the window down and an ice scraper in one hand constantly keeping the little flat windshield clear. Probably wouldn't have frosted over if I could have stopped breathing! The best heater in any car I have ridden in was a 53 Ford 6 cylinder.
 
Remember snow plowing with jeeps late 60s early 70s(14-15 years old). No heat .. mechanical windshield wiper doing 35-40 accounts. But didn’t know any better. Daily driver at 16 66 vw bettle. So didn’t know the difference here in New England ��
 
I used to drive this 30' A coupe pert near all year around. It had a manifold heater that worked well in 20 or so degrees. If you had wet boots, pants or gloves the moisture was a problem on inside glass, if dry, it was ok. Also had an electric wiper that sorta worked.

Lotsa fun in mild snow storms, and no, grandpa was lying when he said they go thru anything
 

Attachments

  • 3A27946B-5869-4D7B-A8A7-91C4E182E9A6.jpeg
    3A27946B-5869-4D7B-A8A7-91C4E182E9A6.jpeg
    91.5 KB · Views: 361
I used to drive this 30' A coupe pert near all year around. It had a manifold heater that worked well in 20 or so degrees. If you had wet boots, pants or gloves the moisture was a problem on inside glass, if dry, it was ok. Also had an electric wiper that sorta worked.

Lotsa fun in mild snow storms, and no, grandpa was lying when he said they go thru anything
590238
 
46 ditch.jpg
Looks like this Ford coupe has already had the front clip replaced. Somehow, I envision a scenario of alcohol and slick roads. What could go wrong?
 
A lot of the old Jeeps used to have a double pane area on the windshield. I'm not sure how well they worked. Someone more clever than me can probably call up a picture.
 
A lot of the old Jeeps used to have a double pane area on the windshield. I'm not sure how well they worked. Someone more clever than me can probably call up a picture.

I think you are referring to "frost shields". Early ones were glass but by the 1960s my dad was installing the plastic ones on the 64 Pontiac. The windshield could usually stay frost free but the side and rear windows needed the frost shields on to maintain visibility. Something like these.

https://www.vintageplanet.ca/Stream...KTV-EcI3tzJBhEgxWg-fP7dF-AJ-JPb66Jt1yiQ7naADC
 
Back
Top