Original taillight lenses

Arlen

Arlen

Well-known member
I'm starting my quest to find a set of original taillight lenses. Is there any dead give away to help me pick out reproduction from original? I'm talking about the 30/31 style with two colors. Thanks
 
Here's some pix & stuff I think I know about taillight lenses.
I looked through a pile of old lights over the years and you'd be surprised how many old repro lenses are out there.
...maybe in the neighbourhood of 20 fakes, to one original.
Now before you get excited you must factor in that 4 out of 5 originals will be broken in half :mad:
You might hit a good original after turning over 20 repros.....or you might be like me and find 1 in 100.
Hey somebody has to make these statistics ;)

1) The dead giveaway of a repro, is the dyed or painted backing that usually flakes off with your fingernail. Painted areas are usually chalky with age.
The new repros I see, have all been dyed.
The texture inside the lens is different from originals...it looks & feels "drier".

2) Once you have the real thing in your hand and see the dyes bleeding together within the actual glass, believe me...you'll know it!
The original lens is thicker than some of the repros. It shows irregularites, yet feels polished & smooth.

I have no repro lenses in stock, although here's a couple originals that turned up in some ratty & dented taillights covered in years of crud.
It took bleach and a nail brush to shine em up.
 

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I'm glad you asked i was going to ask the same.I was also told if you hold them up to a light you could see tiny bubbles in the glass in originals.
 
For what it is worth this is one of the places I depart from originality. When the guy behind me looks up from dialing his cell phone I want him to see a red lens if I apply the brakes. It takes too long to decide what a yellow light means since it frequently means turn signals in today's cars.

Charlie Stephens
 
So after reading Vince's website, it sounds like if I can find a 12 flute lense, I'm in the clear. That's an easy place to start looking. Thanks guys
 
I'm kinda with Charlie Stephens. I have the 2-color lenses in my truck right now. I once had someone tell me that my "backup lights" kept coming on -- actually it was the brake lights, but in bright sunlight, the amber kinda washed out. I'm thinking heavily about all red LEDs, as well as a 3rd brakelight. Seems like that would be cheap insurance.
 
I had an original lens in my coupe when I bought it and I bought another original taillight to add to the passenger side. Took me awhile but I did find another original lens. They are 12 flutes and are much darker than any repo out there. I installed them and I, like Charlie, was not impressed with the fact that the brakes lights were amber. I thought somebody might smash my all original car so I swapped out to all red lenses.
 
Arlen said:
So after reading Vince's website, it sounds like if I can find a 12 flute lense, I'm in the clear. That's an easy place to start looking. Thanks guys
Click to expand...

Has anybody looked at the newest Judging Stds revisions?

Page 18-4 clearly illustrates both the 11 & 12 flute lens.

Below this it says "The teacup style lamp utilized 1 of 2 types of lens. The lenses did not necessarily have the same number of flutes & appeared in various shades of red & amber.

Mine aren't for sale at any price :)
 
Were the originals always red with amber? Mine is all red, but I always assumed it was original. I have to say it fits sloppier in the bezel than I would expect. Were there clips or something that should hold it in place?
 

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I was told I have 1930 two light "all red" ones that must of been put on my 1928 before I got it in late 1958,I really have no idea if the glass is from Ford,It been some time scents I needed to add any new bulbs,after I made every thing 12volt in 1959.;)
 
KGBnut said:
Were the originals always red with amber? Mine is all red, but I always assumed it was original. I have to say it fits sloppier in the bezel than I would expect. Were there clips or something that should hold it in place?
Click to expand...
Your lens is from a 1928 DRUM style tail light..
 
CarlG said:
I'm kinda with Charlie Stephens. I have the 2-color lenses in my truck right now. I once had someone tell me that my "backup lights" kept coming on -- actually it was the brake lights, but in bright sunlight, the amber kinda washed out. I'm thinking heavily about all red LEDs, as well as a 3rd brakelight. Seems like that would be cheap insurance.
Click to expand...

Has anyone driven into your back side because only your "reverse lights" were on? I can't imagine some idiot will see your lights and think "gee, he has lights on but they aren't red so I'll keep going!"
 
This brings up one other question then. So what's about fair cost to pay for an original. I know it's all what ever it's worth to the person buying them but put me in the ballpark.
 
The judges are apparently not clear on this subject as well.

When I took a fine point project to Indianapolis, my tail light lens was deemed to be 'too dark'. I had several others at home that had previously been deemed original, and sorted out one that appeared to me to be a little bit lighter.

I took it to Grand Rapids and it was deemed to be 'too light'. All this while the Judging Standards has written that due to different manufacturers, the lenses had varying shades.

It is often the case that some guys testicles are larger than their 'technicals'
 
Fred said:
Your lens is from a 1928 DRUM style tail light..
Click to expand...

Thanks Fred,

Were the drum style smaller in diameter? That would certainly explain the slop in the fit. The lens just slips through the retainer ring.
 
I just ordered a drum tail light lens from snyders but it does not fit and is too small
I have a 28 AR sedan and the housing I have is about 4 1/4 in diameter
And the lens they sent is about 3 1/4. What could this be?
 
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