1960-65 Corvairs equipped with factory installed windshield washers were also supplied with a bottle of concentrated washer fluid. The history of the bottles has been previously documented by Kent Sullivan and Dave Newell in this article published in the CORSA Comminique. This post will deal with the metal brackets that held the glass bottle.
There were four brackets used from 1960-65. Note: bottles were not installed by the factory after 1965, but may have been added later by the dealer. This article only addresses the factory installed bottle brackets.
1961 -Type 1 Bracket
First written appearance of the washer bottle bracket was in the 1961 Assembly Manual, Section 120, Sheet 2 – originally part # 582036 – and was meant to be mounted on the left side front corner of the trunk. This was the Type 1 bracket and is correctly drawn in the 1961 assembly manual.
On 3-28-61 the part number was changed to 1348731, but there is no mention of the drawing being revised, so this may have remained the same design.
1962 -Type 2 Bracket
The second bracket makes its appearance in the 1962 model year, still mounted in the left side front corner of the trunk. It is correctly drawn on Sect. 120 Sheet 1.00 of the 1962 Assembly Manual
On 9-18-61 the part number was changed again, to 3815273 and the drawing in the Assembly manual was revised (presumably from the Type 1 to the Type 2??)
1963 -Type 2 moves to RH
In 1963 the placement of the washer bottle bracket was moved to the right side front corner of the trunk, but continued to be the Type 2 bracket, as shown correctly in the 1963 Assembly Manual, Section Z01 Sheet 1.00.
The part number remained the same as in 1962 (3815273) and did not change throughout the 1963 model year.
1964 – Types 2 & 3 Confusion
According to the 1964 Assembly manual, the bracket remained as part # 3815273, and the drawing continues to look like the Type 2 bracket.
There is, however, another number below the bracket number – 589622 OPT. It is not clear what this number means. However, we know that the design of the bracket changes at some point in the 1964 model year (possibly 10A) to the Type 3 bracket – but this is never noted in the Assembly manaul
I examined many cars at the Corvair Ranch and found that Type 2 Brackets were consistently installed through at least the end of September, 1963, and style 3 brackets installed thereafter.
1965 Type 4 & More Confusion
Type 4 bracket was introduced for the 1965 model year, and is mounted on the back wall of the trunk, near the brake cylinder.
Type 4 is correctly drawn and identified as part # 3864244, and is used for cars without Air Conditioning.
For AC cars, the drawing shows what appears to be a Type 2 bracket, part number 3815273 (also with the obscure 589622 OPT following) to be used in place of the Type 4 bracket. However, it seems more likely that instead of using the Type 2 bracket, the Type 3 bracket would have been used here.
ADDENDUM 3/31/2025 – Type 3 bracket confirmed for AC cars – see below.
Addendum 3/31/2025: I finally found a Factory Stock 1965 with AC and it definitely uses the Type 3 Bracket, as shown in the photo below:
- 1961-64 Corvairs with Air Conditioning have two switches, a blower switch on the left side that turns the system on/off and sets the blower speed, and an evaporator temp control switch on the right side that sets the temperature and turns the compressor on/off as needed. The temp control switch,…
Pre-restoration John Glenn's Corvair While this site was non-functional for the past few years, I have been posting about the restoration of John Glenn's Corvair on Facebook and The Corvair Center Forum. Until I get around to writing up a more formal accounting, I offer up this post with links…- Oil Bath Pre-Cleaners Air Conditioning Fast Idle Solenoids Washer Bottle Brackets 1964 Corvair Running Changes Early Corvair Door Latches
- I acquired the original engine for the John Glenn Corvair with the purchase of the car back in 2001, but the engine was not installed in the car and it was not running. It sat on a cart in my garage for the past 17 years until I finally got…
- This post uses pages from the 1960-64 Assembly Manuals to explain the different rear mounting brackets used for Corvair Generators. The first two photos are from the 1960 Assembly manual, showing all three possible generators and their brackets: Generator Part # Bracket Part #Bracket Length & Description1100357 (7" short generator)37793017"…
- I did some research into early Corvair shock absorbers and made a table to summarize my findings. The part and stamping numbers come from my March 1, 1964 parts book. The Piston travel numbers for all except 1964 rear shock come from GM’s Vehicle Information Kits - we have a page on…
- This article shows how I reconditioned the Air Distributor/Control pod for my 1964 Air Conditioned Convertible (the Glenn Corvair). This is the part of the AC system that is mounted under the radio housings, containing the air vents and the control knobs. For simplicity, I'll refer to it as the…
- The straight shifter started with the '60 Monza, in which the three-speed was of course the only manual transmission available. 61 Monzas with buckets and 3-speed continued to use the straight lever. GM Proving grounds photos are attached, showing the shifters for both years. These aren't prototype cars. They're ordinary…
- 1961-64 Corvairs have an internal gutter and drain hole in the rear end of the trunk. The reason for this design is unclear, but if water does get into this area of the trunk, it is supposed to drain out through the drain hole. However, this drain hole is often…
RPO K47, Heavy Duty Oil Bath Air Cleaner, first became available in the mid-1963 model year for cars and FCs. Note that it was never offered for any Corvair prior to 1963, including wagons and FCs, although many people have later added them. This article details the different versions and…- by Steve Spilatro ...a series of occasional articles on changes to Corvair 95 components during its short production life Clutch Cable and Shift Stabilizers Front and Side Doors Rear Door Other Doors, and Emblems Outside Rear View Mirrors Forced Air Heater The Dash The Cab The Data Plate and Vin…
Great to see some new content, Bill! Thanks for carrying the research forward that Dave and I did.