The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs panel barn door tail light

Do any of you panel/burb lovers know where I can find the clear lens that shines the light onto the license plate? I found the light on e-bay and replacement pieces to restore it, except the clear lense. Are they still made? Are they the lense for something else, so they're not showing up in the catalogs? I'd really appreciate it if anyone has the info to head me in the right direction. My sleeping beauty should be awake and roll'n soon. Thanks, Bettyann

I've never seen it for sale as a reproduction item. You might want to post an ad in the Swap Meet.

Do you have pics of the light itself? I'm buddies with mikes57burb -- the '57 he's parting out has a light which might match??

B

Do you have pics of the light itself? I'm buddies with mikes57burb -- the '57 he's parting out has a light which might match??

B

Thanks, I don,t have a picture, but I could measure and give diminsion details. They are oblong horizonaly with chrome trim on the top that runs from the front to back. The hard rubber backing is available in some pats catalogs for about $45. I will measure tommorrow, I'm at work now. Bettyann

Thanks, I probably will put on the swap meet, I also need rear brake drums but need to get measurements first. Then I'll put both in "Swap Meet". I was just unsure if they where still being manufactured and was looking for info. Bettyann

The 47-55 panel body taillight is a distinctly different shape from a 56-59 panel body taillight. Most likely the license-plate lenses are different.

"They are oblong horizonaly with chrome trim . . "
I think you will find that piece is stainless steel (the rear lens ring is chrome).

Here is a poor photo of the 47-55 panel body taillight housing. Sorry, but you cannot see the license lens on the bottom.

According to my 1957 parts catalog, the lens is call a tail light outlook lens, part # 5936904 and it fits 47-56 Single Unit w/ Doors.

Yes, the lower lens for the plate was used through 1956. Most likely a 1957 panel body taillamp lower (license) lens will not work in earlier panel body taillamps.

I believe the door mounted tail light assembly was the same until 56, the last year for it, the 57-59's have a special license light and plate holder that replaced it [and used the same cover and glass as the 39 car ]

Bill

Speaking of those lights,,,has anyone ever seen a right side light? Its the same light except theres no license plate bracket and no clear lens on the underside for the license plate light.
Found one at a swap meet many years back for 10.00 and have never seen another one.

Marty (delux54panel) asked me to post this photo of the 47-56 taillamp license lens.

Marty,

Do you think that the right-side taillight housing might be a normal housing that has had the license plate holder removed? Was there a hole for the license lens (I suppose not)? That sounds interesting.

Tim

Hi Tim,,the right hand light i have has the rubber gasket that slopes opposite of the orig.(driver)side. I tried to send you pics. but they were denied(mailbox full?)
Its definitely an interesting,orig.,light. Ive double checked it,,it hasnt had the lic. plate lense hole filled.
I'll try the pics. again...........

Hi, Thanks for the photo, that's the one. Judging by the color I'd bet that's the beautiful burb. Bettyann

Thanks, could you tell me which catalog? Bettyann

Thanks for the photo and info. Bettyann

Yes, that's the lens I'm seaking. I bought two housings off eBay. They came off a '53 panel, one had the rubber mounting and license plate holder, the other had neither one, both had cracked or broken lens. The housing without the license plate bracket looks as if it never had one and it was mounted on the right door.
Thank you all for all your help, I can't believe how fast you "come back" with the info. Bettyann

Just a note - In some of my research I "heard" that these old barn door taillights were also used on early Harley's in case you want to consider motorcycle swap meets as a source of supply.

not the actual light bodies Craig, but the red lense used on older Harleys [GUIDE RH-55] is the same, license lens different

Bill

Thanks, it's beginning to look like this might be an item to start reproducing. Bettyann

what would one be worth?

Try a Harley-Davidson shop. The late '60's Harleys had a similar tail light on the rear fender.

As mentioned by Bill, above, isn't it only the Harley red lens that is the same?

Isn't the housing different - the contour to attach to the fender would not match the contour of the panel door?

The housing is completely different, the lenses are the same and the lens ring is the same. With a little modification it would make a cool third light on the pick up or panel roof.

Red58 is correct. Many folks do not know that the same Barn door light was used until 56 and the 57-59 is completely different. I did not know it until I was on my mission and red informed me and I confirmed it. To answer your question "where to find?"..... EBAY again. Buy one with a good license light, but may be missing other parts or rusted out or? and resell the rest. I found that this is a good way to obtain a lot of (hard to get complete) items. Contrary to much advice I got, and after much research and measuring, there is NOT a Harley tail light, license lens, that works. If I am wrong, I would love to hear from someone who actually did it. They do "look" the same.

The tail light housings I got off eBay are the last ones I've seen there and I'm trying to watch every day. If anyone sees any lenses or tail lights with a good look out lense, please give me a heads up. Thanks

Were there 2 tail light styles used in 56? maybe early and late? >antiquechevparts< show mounting pads for 56 - 59 panels, pair 20.00 can$ Tail lens from 47 - 56? anyone know? also gaskets but no bezels

the 55.5-59 panels all have the 'outer' 2 oval tail lights, the 55.5-56 also have a light on the drivers side rear door like the one on the 47-55 lights - so not "2 styles" in terms of one or the other, but the 55 and 56 have both ... in 57 the door light was changed to a simple license light

there are lenses and lense gaskets available for both types, but no bodies or bezels, and no parts at all for the 57-59 license light

Bill

Thank you Bill, that clarifies things. I think that means I can use the 56 pads to put a right light on the door of my 51. I was able to pick up a second light Assembly in real good shape. It is possible that I could fill in the license lens hole and make the lens available or have a spare. Roy

Bill, When you say there are lenses available, do you mean the red tail light, the lookout lens or both? I have found both glass and plastic red lenses, also gaskets and bezels for the red lens in parts catalogs. Also, the hard rubber mounting pad, but no lookout lens. I'm thinking about talking to a local glass company that might reproduce them if I'm unable to find, any legalities you know of about repros? Bettyann

the red lense, not the clear - no there wouldn't be any legal problems with you getting them repro'd, the problem will be finding someone with the capability - I recall them being shaped, not just flat, means they have to be cast, the 'local glass company' just cuts flat glass they buy from a manufacturer and if you were close enuff to a glass manufacturer to inquire, you'd prolly find you have to contract to have thousands made might be why they're not around .... glassmaking is a very expensive [energy intensive] process

Bill

Thanks Bill, I live near a manufacturer that uses recycled glass and makes many molded items from the by products (dishes, bowls, paper weights, candle holders, goblets, etc). It seems there is a need, I just don't know how great the need is to make it worth it for them to repro the lenses. But, if they made the mold and poured it when pouring other clear glass items, maybe (I hope) they'll consider the prospect. They pour in just about any color you can think of and sell worldwide. Bettyann

well if they could make up 20 or 30, you could make a bit reselling them here, and maybe to some of the vendors - good luck!

Bill

Try a local glass artist that has a small kiln. They can get the correct color glass and shape small items like this a lot less expensively that a mfr. can or will. It's still not inexpensive, but you can do a whole group at one time and sell them off.
mickey

Bill,

I am sorry to disagree with you on the statement that, "the 55.5-59 panels all have the 'outer' 2 oval tail lights," but it appears that the outer lights were either with the turn signal option or dealer installed. There was recently a '56 panel on ebay that did not have the outer lights, only the tag light on the left barn door. It appears to be original. You judge. Sorry to muddy the waters.

Les

http://www.flickr.com/photos/our__lives/2527884024/

ok, all except one no need to be sorry Les, learn something new every day and it don't muddy things, but clears them up

in fact I see now the assembly manual [called 55-59, but actually from the beginnings of the series in 55] list an RPO 249, which is 'Dual tail and stop lamp' - never noticed that before [but nothing to do with signals], dealer installed items, like the 2nd taillight on a pu [#987458], were accessories, and that light was standard by 1960

no doubt had to do with the evolution of state lighting laws, which around that time were changing all over - most likely in 54/5 there were still many states that didn't require 2 brake lights on trucks, by 59 I believe all jurisdictions required 2 rear lights on all vehicles

I've seen 5-6 panels and burbs without the signals [including a friends 56 here], and never seen one that didn't have the standard tail lights - note also that the door brake light was dropped at the end of 56, so RPO249 became regular production .... so it appears there is the possibility of finding the occassional 55 or 56 without the outer lights, but I'd bet they're few and far between .... more valuable?

Bill

Thanks, Bill. The guy on ebay had 2 '56 panels together, both bad rusty, although you can't see it in the picture. The one in the picture ran but no brakes and the other was a "parts" truck. $2500
starting bid for both and they did not sell, I suppose because of the rust. They were in SC and had spent their lives near the ocean.
I was pretty sure the one without tail lights was rare.

Les