Wing wind Deflectors

[ctp]

I am now curious about the wind deflectors that are mounted on the windshield pillars of my car and many others I see, Not sure of the official name for these so searches have not gotten anywhere on the subject for me. Anyway, I was under the impression that my car was original (1957 TR3). A friend just pointed out that Lexan or Plexi was not available in the 50's so these options were added later. Now I am wondering what is the story on these little deflectors. Are they factory parts or period option pieces? If so, what plastic were they made from? Is my friend correct?

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

In that picture, your TR3 must have been a teenager. It has pimples. The last pictures you posted on the other thread, it looks really nice.

 

[ctp]

Well yeah it has blemishes all over it. Overall it looks pretty good and solid though. I still am somewhat in disbelief that I ran across-ed it. The story about it being on blocks for 48 years baffles me. And I'm The one who learned it and told it! So, these little doubt and details have me wondering.... are these Vent wing deflectors as old as the early 60's? Like before 1963?

 

[TR3driver]

You should ask your friend what it was like, traveling in those covered wagons. Plexiglas was already in common usage by WWII.

The wind wings in your photo look to me like the later reproductions (with part of the hinges rolled from sheet metal instead of cast), but similar units were available as aftermarket accessories at least by 1960. Possibly some of those also had rolled hinges.

 

[HerronScott]

Wikipedia claims that Plexiglas was first marketed in 1933 so I think your friend is off a bit there, but I don't know when Amco first started to market wind wings for TR3's though. I would guess the 1960s/1970s.

My 1959 TR3A also came with a set. I can't tell from your picture but do yours also curve out slightly at the bottom?

Scott

 

[ctp]

I have not taken single individual pictures of the deflectors. But here are a couple more showing the interior hinge and the Cut of the plexi, It does not curve out at the bottom but is flat. It make sense ..... the rear factory hardtop window is plastic too as well as the side curtain windows now that I think about it. So obviously his assumption is flawed.

 

[tomshobby]

Moss has them.

 

[Geo Hahn]

I like the wing for high-speed cruising -- on an all-day drive the buffeting can get a bit much.

Someone mentioned theirs curves a bit at the bottom, maybe made that way but many times the plexiglass warps over time.

As a result posts & pics I had seen here, I made a second wind wing to further reduce the air blast:

Seems quite effective.

 

[GilsTR]

George...Is that lower wind wing a take off on the one Herman made? Gil NoCal

 

[Geo Hahn]

I think Herman's is the first one I ever saw though since then I have seen photos of others.

Mine isn't as swoopy and elegant, just something I did with a bit of plexiglass and some bar stock I had on hand.

 

[HerronScott]

Someone mentioned theirs curves a bit at the bottom, maybe made that way but many times the plexiglass warps over time.

Geo,

That was me and these are Amco ones that came with my TR3A that was last on the road in 1975 and you can tell these were made that way since it's the exact same slight curve but obviously in opposite directions to match the side of the car they are installed on. You can see the driver's side in the picture I posted above. I think you can also make out the Amco that's molded/stamped/melted (?) in the Plexiglas as well.

Scott