Hello Fellow Panelists and Suburbanites, does any body know why there is that piece of (I'm guessing) aluminum on the top of the tailight on 47-53 Chevy Panel trucks...?
Last edited by Peggy M; 04/13/20242:56 PM. Reason: added more info to the title :)
Is the plate in the picture below the one you are asking about??? I don't know myself, but thought having a picture for others to see might help come up with an answer.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
It could be a feature just to prevent wear in the painted light housing Similar to protective films on vehicles in front of wheel openings If you know the paint is always gonna get chewed up in a spot you do something to hide or incorporate the wear point into the design so it’s not immediately ugly. -s
If I had to guess, and I am, I would say deluxe trucks had the aluminum peice on the tailight housing -- and standard trucks did not...?? What do you all think folks...?
I think that piece was on the tail light on all panel/suburban/canopy express trucks of that era regardless of standard or deluxe. No idea why it is there. I will cogitate on that and then ponder it for a while.
1947.2 GMC 1/2T SWB panel 1947.2 GMC 1/2T long bed 1948 GMC 1/2T short bed
I have a 52 gmc ambulance. If you look inside the door behind the light you should find a steel reinforcing plate, has holes matching the light studs. Seams I read somewhere that those lights were supposed to be able to be used as steps. Don't know if that's correct but the stainless trim on the top would protect the paint and strengthen the housing. Just a thought... my ambulance had the OEM taillights on both doors.
Happy New Year
Richard
~ Richard 1952 GMC Army Ambulance "Building the Dream" The story begins here in the DITY Gallery Follow the build in the Project Journals (If you can't wait, the "final pictures" and details are in Panels & Burbs) First vehicle-1967 Chevy short bed pickup. Sold when got married | 1953 Chevy pickup restored-sold to purchase Toy Hauler trailer | 1964 GMC long bed Pickup 305 big block V/6 bought to restore with son and his 14 yr old son
Seams I read somewhere that those lights were supposed to be able to be used as steps. Don't know if that's correct
Richard
Why would someone need to step there? My panel had that piece too, it had a name embossed into it, Guide, maybe? I assumed it was a heat shield for the tail light bulb, just an assumption though.
Used from 47-56. Not a step. It's simply a design feature.. Art deco. Using aluminum for trim parts as shinny corrosion resistant material. Not to be painted.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
All of the ones I have seen are stainless steel. I would say just to jazz it up.
1951 3100 Chevrolet 1951 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall Image "A house is built with boards and beams. A home is built with love and dreams." "Look deep before you leap !!!" / "Everything is Everything" "If I say a mouse can pull a house, hitch him up"
If I had to guess, and I am, I would say deluxe trucks had the aluminum peice on the tailight housing -- and standard trucks did not...?? What do you all think folks...?
That light was not available in Canopy Express models. CE's came equipped with the R-13 type same as clamshell Suburbans.
| 1953 Chevy pickup restored-sold to purchase Toy Hauler trailer | 1964 GMC long bed Pickup 305 big block V/6 bought to restore with son and his 14 yr old son
