32 taillight lens question

[jim1932]

OK... I read the book and am looking for confimation that I understand it correctly... Are these a convex reflex lens B-13450-B (on Left) and a Flat non=reflex lens B-13450-A (on the right)? If so, the flat one is the original taillight lens correct? I am adding a period correct (I believe) right side tail light. To be technically correct I should put the convex one on the right as it was a later add on correct? And if I only go with the stock set up of one taillight on the drivers side, I should use the flat one right? If I come accross another flat one I will use both flat, but for now these are what I have.

 

[jerseyboy]

Jim,

32 tail lenses were flat! I can't tell you how many so called flat lenses I've bought on ePay! I think having two flat lenses would be fine. The one on the right is 32.

 

[Charlie Stephens]

Jim,

The one on the left is a Model A and uses a different trim ring (see pictures). Also note that the small part of the '32 (which contains the license plate light) mounts on the top since the license mounts on the top for a '32 (and the bottom for a Model A, note the one in my photo is incorrect).

Charlie Stephens

 

[barnfind08]

If my eyes are not deceiving me the lens on left is model a.

 

[DavidG]

Jim,

Both B-13450-A and B-13450-B were flat lenses. The difference is the prisms and the bull's eyes. B-13450-B is rarer than hen's teeth. The post-'32 version of B-13450-B (the lens supplied for service after '32 production had ended in North America) is convex and not the least bit rare.

As indicated above, your lens on the left in your photo is for a Model A and the one on the right is a B-13450-A. All kinds of reproductions of this latter lens are on the market at present and some of them are very, very good replicas.

Dave

 

[jim1932]

Interesting... the Model A one was on the car. It had the correct housing and trim ring though. The flat one came on second taillight I picked up. I also have this vintique RH taillight I originally bought to put on. I will go with the original housings and put the old flat lens on the left and the reproduction on the right.

I haven't looked for it yet, but where can you get the cloth covered wire?

 

[alchemy]

I've purchased wire and supplies from these guys before:
http://www.riwire.com/

 

[Charlie Stephens]

Interesting... the Model A one was on the car. It had the correct housing and trim ring though. The flat one came on second taillight I picked up. I also have this vintique RH taillight I originally bought to put on. I will go with the original housings and put the old flat lens on the left and the reproduction on the right.

I haven't looked for it yet, but where can you get the cloth covered wire?

If I remember correctly the cloth covering for the wires came in the kit when I bought the wire kit for the tail light. It has been years.

Charlie Stephens

 

[DavidG]

Jim,

Not to complicate things for you, but that tail lamp rim (or door) on the right of your center photo is not original to a '32. The original did not have countersunk holes for the screws to attach the rim to the lamp housing (obviously the screws were different also; round head and not countersunk oval head). The lens in the photo on the right side is not flat and therefore is not a replica of the original '32 production lens.

Tyree Harris makes excellent reproductions of the original lamp wiring, including the crossover harness between the left and right lamps.

Dave

 

[deuce lover]

I have an extra NOS(dark shade) flat lens I'll sell if you are in need.

 

[jim1932]

Jim,

Not to complicate things for you, but that tail lamp rim (or door) on the right of your center photo is not original to a '32. The original did not have countersunk holes for the screws to attach the rim to the lamp housing (obviously the screws were different also; round head and not countersunk oval head). The lens in the photo on the right side is not flat and therefore is not a replica of the original '32 production lens.

Tyree Harris makes excellent reproductions of the original lamp wiring, including the crossover harness between the left and right lamps.

Dave

Dave, I think it is the light in the picture. I believe the two lamp rims are identical and are not counter sunk (the finish isn't as bad as the flash makes it look either).

Regarding the wiring I eventually plan to rep[lace the entire harness, but for now I am looking for a couple of small rolls to replace the poorly run black and white plastic covered wire that was piecemeal patched into my wiring over the years.

 

[jerseyboy]

Jim,

I bought the wiring harness from Tyree, great product and a nice person to deal with.

Keep V-8ing and 4-banging!

 

[32inxs]

I have attached pictures of my left and right tail light lenses, which I believe to be original. Are they A-13450-A and/or A-13450-B ? Please advise because now I am confused too. They look almost the same to me. Is one of them the wrong lens?

 

[DavidG]

I believe you meant B-13450-A or B, right? It is likely that the one in the photo on the right is a B-13450-A lens, but the photo on the left is such that I can't say for sure. The first test is whether the outer surface is perfectly flat without any curvature of the lens surface. But even then, there are some period non-Ford replacement lenses that are perfectly flat so it is the pattern, shape, and size of the prisms and the 'bull's eye' on the back side that are the determining criterion. Please refer to the lens on the right side of Jim's two photos at the very beginning of this thread; it is has all of the characteristics of an original B-13450-A lens.

 

[32inxs]

Thanks for the correction on the parts numbers and the help. The lens is perfectly flat and I will remove it later when I get back to get pictures of the back,

 

[PeteVS]

Does anybody know who (if anyone) reproduces the "post production" lens with the CONVEX surface?

 

[DavidG]

Pete,

I'm not sure anyone has, but I've several NOS ones that are spare to my needs. Please send me a PM if interested.

David

 

[jim1932]

Pete, the reproduction one I have above is a vintique. I think I got it at Mac's.