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06-02-2010, 10:25 AM | #1 |
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Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
Just how many Model "A" Sportlights are still around ?
They must be pretty scarce. They cost about $10.00 when new, back in the worst part of the depression. You hardly ever see them on Model "A"s. MIKE |
06-02-2010, 10:36 AM | #2 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
I have two, one with the "Model J" on the tag; the other without any Model designation. Both are the later "Junior" 5 1/2" size. The most difficult part was finding the open car mounting bracket.
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06-02-2010, 10:41 AM | #3 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
I have one complete and on my roadster, and parts to put together another, including the roadster mounting brackets. Mine are the 5" Sportlite Junior, sold specifically by many A dealers, not the standard Sportlite you have pictured.
You might want to contact Ron Ehrenhofer, he was quite into them. A few years ago I investment cast a dozen bronze brackets for him, and also injection molded about a hundred wax patterns for a specific bracket he wanted. |
06-02-2010, 10:47 AM | #4 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
MIKEK ..................................
The open car bracket pictured, for my '29 roadster, is a reproduction. I bought it sometime in the 60s or early 70s, I believe. MIKE |
06-02-2010, 02:44 PM | #5 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
MikeK ......................................
I have a small box of old spotlight pieces, to use when I restore mine. The spotlight here, is a Unity "SafetyLight". I believe this is what came out in the 30s. MIKE |
06-02-2010, 03:29 PM | #6 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
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I have a CHEVY sportlight and it appears to be identical to the Ford except for the riveted on Name Plate. Hey all you experts...am I right or am I wrong in this assumption? Thanks Dennis L Oberer Green Bay WI |
06-02-2010, 04:25 PM | #7 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
No expert, but I like to read what the researches have to say.
There's a nice article entitled Sportlites by Ron Erenhofer pg 12, Vol #3 of MARC's Technically Speaking. Another is from the Dec 2006 issue of the A400 Newsletter. The Ford tag might have been on the later Unity SafetyLight, but these sources indicate either the Unity Model J tag, or no Model designation at all on the 29-31 Unity Sportlite for Model A. I will wait also, for the experts to chime in..........
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06-02-2010, 05:02 PM | #8 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
I have two . One on my 1930 Sports Coupe with Brackets from Ron Ehrenhofer . This was originally a 1930 Chev one that I brought off Ebay and restored myself and is identical to the Model A one (once you remove the Chev badge ) . It replaced a 1928 Sportlight that cracked through the body and is now being repaired by a friend for his car. The Second on my 1930 Phaeton is a reproduction by Ron and it is perfect. It wasn't cheap and it took about 9 months to arrive but was worth every penny and second of the wait. Karl
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06-02-2010, 05:04 PM | #9 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
BTW, I believe the Sportlite that Fl&WVMike has pictured is the early 1928 version sold by Ford Dealers, before they changed to the 5 1/2" Junior Sportlite (1929-1934).
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06-02-2010, 06:12 PM | #10 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
I have two, one on my daughters early 30 rdst. pu and one for my 31 rdst. I really like the looks of the lights.
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06-02-2010, 09:35 PM | #11 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
HoarseWhisperer ....................
The one that I have is the one that you see pictured in the FORD literature, etc. The early literature anyway. I have some, somewhere. If I find it, I will show it. Thanks, MIKE |
06-03-2010, 01:18 AM | #12 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
There is one on eBay now. The guy is REAL PROUD of it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1932-...Q5fAccessories
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06-03-2010, 02:43 AM | #13 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
I’ll join “Hoarse” in the non-expert category with
some additional info, and of coarse the results of one of my other (non expert) pastimes – Patent searching. Henry R. Gross Chicago, Illinois Spotlight Patent number: 1702772 Filing date: Apr 28, 1927 Issue date: Feb 19, 1929 http://tinyurl.com/2dcwnlh Henry R. Gross Chicago, Illinois Improved Mounting Bracket (Curved and Sloped Windshield Pillar) Patent number: 1913075 Filing date: Feb 23, 1932 Issue date: Jun 6, 1933 http://tinyurl.com/25o8pz6 Henry R. Gross Chicago, Illinois Improved Mounting Bracket (Sloped Windshield Pillar) Patent number: 1940348 Filing date: Feb 3, 1933 Issue date: Dec 19, 1933 http://tinyurl.com/345bv8q Other mounting changes were covered in patents filed by Henry R. Gross in 1947 and 1951. Even though Henry R. Gross was president of Unity Mfg, the first time that Unity Manufacturing was mentioned in any of the patents referencing the 1702772 spotlight patent was in a Aug 19, 1993 application covering a spotlight mount and filed by “William” E. Gross. of Chicago Unity are still alive and well as a major vehicle lighting manufacture. Here is the link to Unity’s database going back to 1929, that includes their early ads and flyers etc showing how the spotlight has evolved.. http://unityusa.com/historical_archive.htm Art |
06-03-2010, 09:33 AM | #14 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
The spot light on my coupe is I believe from a model T. I made a bracket that fits using two of the spare tire bolts on the side mount. I get a lot of comments when people see it. I will try to take pictures of it today.
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06-03-2010, 10:20 AM | #15 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
MUSTANG . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thank you so much for providing that information about the Unity Company and their lights ! That was a big help to me. I learned a lot about my SAFETYLIGHT and also that three others that I have are from 1953. One is FORD script. I also learned some about a pair of roadlights that I have. You can see some of the patented brackets in my collection of misc. Thanks again ! MIKE Last edited by FL&WVMIKE; 06-03-2010 at 10:23 AM. Reason: More information |
06-03-2010, 04:28 PM | #16 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
The patent info was interesting.
As previously mentioned, the two Sportlites I have are identical in every way, except one tag has the Model J, the other no model designation. Then a repro tag I have says Model J-1. I have conflicting articles that say the second version of Model A Unity Sportlite should have Model J, the other says no. Patent dates on both are 1914-15-24-29. So the research continues and hopefully someone has additional info. In any case, I think that early tag posted by FL&WVMIKE is the most attractive in appearance.
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06-04-2010, 11:20 AM | #17 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
Hoarse Whisperer . . . . . . . . . . . .
I found a re-print of the early FORD advertising piece, showing the early style SPORTLIGHT as an accessory. This advertising piece is duplicated in the first issue of "FORD LIFE", the Nov.-Dec. 1970 issue. This SPORTLIGHT cost $15.00 when new. MIKE |
06-04-2010, 03:12 PM | #18 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
I made a bracket that bolts to the spare wheel using 2 of the 3 lug bolts. I think this is a spot light used on model T's |
06-04-2010, 03:35 PM | #19 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
Model A Man . . . . . . . . . . .
How neat ! I bet you will give a lot of people some ideas ! MIKE |
06-20-2010, 03:42 AM | #20 |
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Is this a correct Sportlite for a 1931 Model A?
Is this Sportlite correct for a 1931 Model A? ....or is it perhaps for a later model?
I see that the off-on switch is not at the tip of the inside arm as shown in the accessory brochure, but rather placed under the inside end tip. The data-plate lists it as a Model J-1. It is offered for sale for about $190 here in Germany. Does that sound like a fair market value price for what appears to be a good condition light? Thanks for any feedback. Fordially, Brad in Germany |
06-20-2010, 06:00 AM | #21 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
Brad I think this is the model after the correct sportslight. Having said that $190 is cheap. I brought one of mine of ebay and reconditioned it myself and the chroming alone cost more than $190. The other refurbished one I brought from Ron Erhrenhofer for about $500-Sounds a lot but it cost me at least that to restore the one off ebay and his one is much nicer than the one I did .As mentioned in my recent post the Sportslight makes a night run much more pleasent. Tonight I actually have had the one I restored in pieces as just before last nights run I found an internal short with lots of heat and smoke . I simply switched Ron's light onto the car and it performed like a dream . On inspection some insulation had cracked on the central wire - a little heatshrink and we should now be good to go. Seeing its out of the car I have attached some photos -you will see its missing the plate on the top (it was a Chevrolet one) and at some stage I must buy a correct one from Ron -Karl
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06-25-2010, 11:11 AM | #22 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
KARL .............................
I did not comment on that $190.00 price, because I had not seen one sold for years. It seemed like a good price to me. They are very scarce ! MIKE |
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06-26-2010, 06:33 AM | #23 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
Mike -yes I agree its a good price
PS I love the 1934 Phaeton. Hopefuly my next car will be a 1934 Ford of some description. I've been actively looking for 2 years . Not many of them in this country and even fewer that have survived unrodded. Flathead Ted has a 1934 Phaeton body but not sure that there is much else other than the body- Karl |
12-03-2010, 10:45 AM | #24 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
I have an unrestored sportlight that I would love to install on my delivery. I have a very nice newly plated bracket for an open car. It is in very fine condition and is identical to #A18561 but has no number on it. I can only assume it is a replated original as it must go back about 30 years, when my father acquired it. Anybody interested in a swap for a closed car one? Or, how may I contact Mr. Ehrenhofer ?
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12-03-2010, 08:56 PM | #25 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
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12-03-2010, 09:30 PM | #26 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
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I have had both of these for close to 50 years. BillAZ |
02-17-2011, 04:42 PM | #27 | |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
Quote:
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02-17-2011, 06:52 PM | #28 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
With all the old spotlights I have I don't have one Sportlight.These are two I have taken out of A's though.The one with the round knob is a Mobilite Cruiser,and the pistol grip light is a Clymer that came in my A that was given to me in 1968.That light mounts right in the windshield,through a big hole bored through it.
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12-23-2011, 01:27 PM | #29 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
There's a fine article by Ron Ehrenhofer and Larry Rust, in the Nov-Dec issue of Model A News for "Identifying the Model A Sportlite", complete with helpful photos.
In an effort to determine if I indeed have a correct Sportlite on my roadster, I am trying to resolve possible discrepancies between the artlicle research and the 2011 Judging Standards. 1. Operating knob: JS indicates the bakelite knob as either black or brown with a single groove centerline Article indicates only black with a double groove for the Model A era. "Brown actuating ball with the single groove shows up on literture for the J-1 (dated 1941)." 2. Data plate: JS indicates that in early 1930, the data plate was changed from brass to dull chromium plated with the "Model J" listed on a background of painted black. Article seems to indicate the "Model J" data plate was not introduced until 1935, unless I am misenterpreting. Any researchers that can shed some light on the above?
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04-30-2012, 08:20 PM | #30 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
Waiting to install mine with Ron in my Slant. Love the look
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04-30-2012, 08:48 PM | #31 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
I had a Sportlite on my '31 roadster for a while that I got off of eBay. It is a beautiful restored one and came complete with the proper mounting bracket. I only paid -$200- for it, a real steal! Unfortunately, it was just
to shiny and nice for the car, so I took it off. It nows rests nicely in my display cabinet. When no ones looking I like to caress and whisper sweet nothings to it. It's that gorgeous! And, on the roadster I installed an original (not very shiny now) late 20's/early 30's Packard open car C.M. Hall spotlight. Bob-A |
07-24-2019, 02:41 AM | #32 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
Dear Mister;
Is it possible to receive some pics of the installation on your car please. [email protected] greats |
07-24-2019, 02:46 AM | #33 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
Dear members
Where can i order for a replica sportlite ? Mac's or mike's or others ? |
07-24-2019, 03:44 AM | #34 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
A friend has a nos sportlight in the original box. I'll get a picture of it.
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07-24-2019, 05:14 AM | #35 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
I had one of those but can't remember what I did with it. I'll have a look around for it. Who knows what I will find!
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07-24-2019, 08:05 AM | #36 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
Ron Ehrenhofer in Illinois refurbishes and sells the correct Sport Lites for the Model A Fords. He makes/has made some of the hard to find parts.
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07-25-2019, 08:26 PM | #37 |
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Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ?
My dad put one on his 1930 Phaeton in the early seventy's, pretty cool. I now own the exact same car and wouldn't dare think of taking it off.
John |
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