3500GT Vgn. Spy. Windshield Wipers Original Bag? | FerrariChat

3500GT Vgn. Spy. Windshield Wipers Original Bag?

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by TridenteFury, Jul 3, 2017.

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  1. TridenteFury

    TridenteFury Karting

    Sep 28, 2014
    78
    Ciao Tutti,

    Does anyone knows the 100% authentic/original windshield wiper bag/container equipped in the Vignale Spyder?

    It is the one that works with the rubber pump version, the bag/container has the dual entry @ its cap, which functions as a closing valve to hold the water when pumping through...

    Photos highly appreciated

    Molto Grazie
    Carlito
     
  2. AM101

    AM101 Rookie

    Mar 11, 2015
    20
    #2 AM101, Jul 3, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hi,

    Although I can`t help directly with the washer bag fitted on the Vignale spyder.

    I have been doing some research into the washer bottles fitted to 3500 GT Touring coupes, while most have the plastic Fispa bottle fitted, it seems the RHD cars were fitted with a bag hung on the bulkhead just behind the engine.

    Is this the type you require information on for the spyder? if so I would also be interested in knowing the make, and if a suitable bag is available. It would seem a search on ebay will bring up many different styles for sale.

    Regards,

    Mark
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  3. TridenteFury

    TridenteFury Karting

    Sep 28, 2014
    78
    Hello,

    After many years of research, I haven't found a convincing answer either... It seems that, when fitted with the bag, these were quickly replaced by all sorts of different brands as they did not last very long through the years... Also many were replaced with (the incorrect) electric pump version as the original rubber foot activated pump was quickly prone to cracks and leaks, rusting out the corners of the driver side floorboards.
    All these replacements explain the difficulty to determine what was really the correct bag/container...

    On LHD Vignale, Mid to late, If I'm not mistaken, were never fitted with the plastic bottle and used the bag which was hung on the left side of the engine bay, in front of the big vent pipe and ahead of the brake fluid reservoir. The bags were made of soft rubber/canvas material, but also came across a Vignale specialist that claimed they were made of a hard translucent plastic, using the same shape as the bags and also hung on the front left side of the engine bay. Maybe this could be the only original version totally forgotten throughout the years

    I discovered for sure that the cap of the original bag has 2 inlet, to accommodate the foot activate rubber pump and not 1 inlet as seen on many aftermarket version which was made for the aftermarket electric pump version.

    It seems I'll undertake another deeper research with the Maserati archive department...

    All the Best
    Carlito
     
  4. thecarnut

    thecarnut F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 22, 2006
    3,008
    Atlanta
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    The Car Nut
    #4 thecarnut, Jul 4, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Vignale spyder #504 still had its original Foredit washer bag. Although this car is a prototype I suspect at least the early Vignale spyders would had had the same bag. The side of the bag that has the lettering is clear, so you can see the water lever.
    I was able to find an exact reproduction from a guy in Argentina.
    I have also seen the hard plastic bag and have one somewhere in my boxes of old parts. That one I believe came out of a 1961 Vignale spyder. Most likely the factory used whatever they had in hand as both fit in the same space and perform the same function.

    On this car there is only one supply line from the bag to the pump. There is a check valve either in the line or in the pump (can't remember) to prevent water from returning to the bag.

    Ivan
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  5. TridenteFury

    TridenteFury Karting

    Sep 28, 2014
    78
    Tanks Ivan for your interesting insights...
    I agree that the factory used whatever they had on hand...
    Could you please post a pic of the hard plastic bag, that would be great!

    Thanks
    Best
    Carlito
     
  6. thecarnut

    thecarnut F1 Rookie
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    Apr 22, 2006
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    The Car Nut
    First I need to find it :)

    Ivan
     
  7. thecarnut

    thecarnut F1 Rookie
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    Apr 22, 2006
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    #7 thecarnut, Jul 5, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Found it. The hard plastic bag is stamped "VDO" and fits on the same hooks as the Foredit bag. This bag came with one of the Vignale spyders but I can't be sure if the bag was original to the car. I am certain that the Foredit bag on Vignale spyder #504 was original.

    Ivan
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  8. TridenteFury

    TridenteFury Karting

    Sep 28, 2014
    78
    Excellent!!

    Many Thanks Ivan!
     
  9. awohlmann

    awohlmann Karting

    Jul 6, 2008
    159
    Austria
    Full Name:
    Alfred Wohlmann
    #9 awohlmann, Jul 5, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Carlito,
    This is what I found on my 1960 Vignale when buying it in Australia. The car was in incredible original condition. It was only used 8 years in Italy and then it was sold to Sidney in 1968 where it was untouched stored in a barn.
    Therefore I am sure this is the original wiper bag system - of my car. I cannot confirm this was used on ALL Vignales.

    The letters "VDO" are the name of an old German company founded in 1929 which produced automotive products. Details in Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VDO_(company)

    Not only the plastic wiper bag but also the pump which works in the mode of a manual rubber pump was made by VDO.

    These wiper bags have been used in the 60ies mostly on Mercedes cars but maybe also on other German cars.

    If you find one of these wiper bags, please pay attention to the cap because this must be one with the 2 pipes and have a look that the the closing valve which avoids that water goes back in the bag is in function - otherwise the system does not work.
    Later VDO offeres the same bag with an an electric pump system what means that the cap does not need the 2 pipes and this (damageable) valve.

    I hope these helps
    Alfred
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  10. TridenteFury

    TridenteFury Karting

    Sep 28, 2014
    78
    Many Thanks Alfred, this is great!!

    This is exactly what I needed... You are correct, I also think this is the original set up used on mid to late Vignale and also with the dual inlet valve system so that the water does not return... Very cool you took picture of it...

    All the Best
    Carlito
     

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