Tea Cup Commercial Rear Lamp

[Bob C]

Some rear lamp housings have Duolamp with the letters stamped out and some have the letters stamped in, which is correct for 1932?
I have heard the ones with the letters stamped out are for Model A's.

[DavidG]

If all of the original '32 stainless steel tail lamps have the lettering protruding outward, as they do, how could someone conclude that the plain steel ones were stamped the other way around?

[Bob C]

Thanks David, I have 5 with the letters out and 4 that are in and I was told
one time that the in was 1932 or later.


Bob

[Bob C]

A FB member directed me to the Canadian section of the Model A judging
standards and the Canadian tail lamps had the lettering stamped in.

[DavidG]

Bob,


It is potentially confusing because the so-called tea cup tail lamp continued to be used on trucks well past the '32 model year.

[Bob C]

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David,
That is another thing that has me confused, like you say they were used on the later truck. There must have been some change in 1932 as the 32 parts book shows A-13408-B for 1930-31 black rear lamp body and B-13408-B for the 1932 black lamp body. I guess I can see if Benson has drawings of the two numbers.


Just found this--

REAR LAMP BODY ASSEMBLY A A INCLUDES A-13408-B OBSOLETE 11/2/31, EI 16-4, REPLACED BY B-13408-A, B-13408-B 32-16206 1930-12-09

Bob

[DavidG]

Bob,


It must drive Model guys nuts that Ford changed the prefix from A to B on all Model A parts that were carried over and used on '32 and later models.


David

[Bob C]

That does not seem to be the case here as the parts book shows both.
A-13408-B 1930-31 and B-19408-B 1932.

[DavidG]

Anything printed after '31 shows the B-prefix and in parentheses (was A-....).

[motordr]

The cut out for the license lens is different between A and B.

[motordr]

Also 32 tailite is upside down compared to Model A so Duolamp is on top for both. I have B housings with duolamp stamped in.

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Anything printed after '31 shows the B-prefix and in parentheses (was A-....).

Not this part.

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by motordr

Also 32 tailite is upside down compared to Model A so Duolamp is on top for both. I have B housings with duolamp stamped in.

I'm asking about the commercial and truck black painted tail lamp.


Bob

[DavidG]

Bob,


I agree with your reading of the '32 chassis parts catalogue, although I note several apparent errors elsewhere in the lamp section that makes me wonder if the only way to know the difference between the two subject lamp bodies is to check the drawings at the BFRC. a/ It could be that the difference lies with the shape and size of the opening for the license plate lamp lens as the lens are evidently slightly different as noted in the '32 catalogue and pointed out by motordr. He is incorrect however about the position of the license plate lens on '32 lamps. They were only upside down compared to Model As on passenger cars. On '32 commercial vehicles and trucks, including the deluxe panel delivery which had a stainless steel tail lamp, the license plate lens is at the bottom of the lamp body.


a/ The errors I noted where for B-13408-A (they were stainless steel, not chrome plated) and for A-13445-B which suggests that the '31s had no white lens (or at a minimum they were not supplied for service, which was highly unlikely).

[motordr]

Originally Posted by Bob C

I'm asking about the commercial and truck black painted tail lamp.


Bob

Yes, was thinking cars as SS was mentioned. Have no hands on with commercial tailites.

[Bob C]

I got the prints from Ford yesterday but they don't show anything
about the lettering. A-13408-B was replaced by B-13408-B 10/27/1931.

[deuce lover]

Found this at a swap meet here in France today. Has the correct '32 Flat lens .Just to confirm.This is the correct '32 commercial tailite with Duolamp embossed on the body ?

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Found this at a swap meet here in France today. Has the correct '32 Flat lens .Just to confirm.This is the correct '32 commercial tailite with Duolamp embossed on the body ?

[TagMan]

Perhaps something as simple as Ford having two different Suppliers or the housing

[Model51]

Just for fun, here are pictures of a NOS "teacup" commercial tail light bucket I picked up at Hershey last fall. I find it interesting to see the original finishes of the individual parts. The letters are depressed. I believe this is a B-13408-B used for commercial, truck and other applications from at least 1932 through 1944 and maybe beyond?