odd '40 tail light lens

Kube

Kube

Super Moderator
Mercman, I'm thinking this query to be right up your alley! You seem to track down very odd occurrences :)

These lens are 1940 Ford. They, like the traditional lens, were manufactured by Simsonite in 1939 - 1940. These are NOT service replacement parts.
So what facts can any folks shed upon these?
 

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European/British/South American issue "possibly"??? to meet MOT requirements???? My "pay grade" stab at it!!
 
Those are pretty cool....if you were to install turn signals in the tail light housing (like I plan to), that would help provide an orange flash which is a legal requirement here in the UK.



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Man, those things gotta be worth at least "2-BIG" just in bragging rights, huh? You got any more 1940 Ford "unobtaniums" in that hidey-hole of yours, Kube? DD


Just realized that those are not a LEFT & RIGHT....two of the same, but that ain't no shame!


432924
 
V8COOPMAN said:
Man, those things gotta be worth at least "2-BIG" just in bragging rights, huh? You got any more 1940 Ford "unobtaniums" in that hidey-hole of yours, Kube? DD


Just realized that those are not a LEFT & RIGHT....two of the same, but that ain't no shame!


432924
Click to expand...

I've got five of these total. I would have had seven but the idiot that I'd purchased the last pair from shipped them in a small flat rate box with one (yes ONE) piece of paper towel to protect them.
You can fill in the remainder of that story. "Idiot" is the underlying theme...

Only two different casting numbers on the lot. Coincidence? I've no clue.
All are identical sand the casting number.
I have never found anything in a parts catalog nor the Ford Archives that shed any light upon these.
 
IF anyone wants a set, I have a friend who can make them for you......even a left and a right so the amber will be either inside or outside, however you want them to be!!!! All he would need is a "standard" 40 lens to pull a mold from!!!
 
Seems to me that the tail light bucket would have to be different for those lenses. 2 Bulb sockets would have to be horizontal across from each other with a vertical divider or both parts would light up with either tail, brake or turn signals. If a foreign country required an amber light back there that would be the answer and maybe a different part number for the bucket. Good mystery!
 
deuce_roadster said:
Seems to me that the tail light bucket would have to be different for those lenses. 2 Bulb sockets would have to be horizontal across from each other with a vertical divider or both parts would light up with either tail, brake or turn signals. If a foreign country required an amber light back there that would be the answer and maybe a different part number for the bucket. Good mystery!
Click to expand...

I have seen but one housing and yes, it had a vertical divider and two sockets.
I am confident (well, fairly so...) that this is not domestic but rather, foreign. But where? Why?
I have wiring schematics for Canada and the US. Nothing there...
 
Well "IF" VW is any example......They sell a Red/Orange taillight lens for 1960 thru 1967 & 1968 to 1970 "Euro" spec lens as opposed to just a straight red or red/clear for 68-70. SO my guess based on that would be European in "general"!!! Again just my "pay grade" guess which is less than $ .02
 
“Again just my "pay grade" guess which is less than $ .02“
I’m gonna put you in for a raise ..... double your pay!!...... Mark
 
Wonder if it was made for a standard car with only one tail light since it is amber on left and red on the right only lens, so you would know the left side of the car after dark. May have been a requirement in a foreign country. But they are very cool.
 
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