Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-10-2020, 10:18 AM   #1
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
Default odd '40 tail light lens

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?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg P1060050.JPG (154.5 KB, 252 views)
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 10:35 AM   #2
rockfla
Senior Member
 
rockfla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,927
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

European/British/South American issue "possibly"??? to meet MOT requirements???? My "pay grade" stab at it!!
rockfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 06-10-2020, 10:45 AM   #3
nrball
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 2
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

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.



Sent from my CPH1917 using Tapatalk
nrball is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 11:22 AM   #4
V8COOPMAN
Senior Member
 
V8COOPMAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON
Posts: 11,106
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

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!


__________________
Click Links Below __


'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN


T5 W/TORQUE TUBE
V8COOPMAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 11:31 AM   #5
19Fordy
Senior Member
 
19Fordy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,879
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

Wow, Never new those existed. Thanks.
19Fordy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 11:33 AM   #6
Automotive Stud
Senior Member
 
Automotive Stud's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 831
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Are they really two colors or is that just the camera flash?
Automotive Stud is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 11:41 AM   #7
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

Quote:
Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN View Post
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!


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.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 11:42 AM   #8
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

Quote:
Originally Posted by Automotive Stud View Post
Are they really two colors or is that just the camera flash?
Amber and red...ya think I can do tricks with my camera? Heck, I'm happy when I can take a picture with my camera!
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 11:56 AM   #9
rockfla
Senior Member
 
rockfla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,927
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

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!!!
rockfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 02:22 PM   #10
deuce_roadster
Senior Member
 
deuce_roadster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Shelton, WA
Posts: 3,779
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

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 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 02:51 PM   #11
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

Quote:
Originally Posted by deuce_roadster View Post
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!
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...
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 03:49 PM   #12
rockfla
Senior Member
 
rockfla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,927
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

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
rockfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 04:33 PM   #13
flatford8
Senior Member
 
flatford8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Lyman,ME.
Posts: 2,612
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

“Again just my "pay grade" guess which is less than $ .02“
I’m gonna put you in for a raise ..... double your pay!!...... Mark
__________________
I'm thinkin' about crankin'
My ragged ol' truck up
and haulin' myself into town.
Billy Joe Shaver
flatford8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2020, 04:35 PM   #14
Pete pa
Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: allison park pa
Posts: 89
Default Re: odd '40 tail light lens

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.
Pete pa is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:38 AM.