Hot Rods How Rare is this 56 Chevy Tailight?

Just wondering, on my 56 wagon........has a locking taillight, not a locking gas cap... So far everyone that looks at it says...............huh? Was a V8 265 dual exhaust wagon, had a hitch and trailer wiring.

This taillight is key'd the same as ignition and doors. It is has pits that makes it look as old as the rest of the trim.

 

Doug,
Someone talked about these on chevytalk.com in 2005. Only other place I've seen one. Pretty cool but I like the bar better.

 

I've never seen one of these, nor I read about one. It's most likely an aftermarket item. I've had TEN 56 Chevrolets, and that's what I think. I am butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Saw one at Carlisle years ago, it was a pitted and rusted up piece of junk. The seller knew nothing about it except it was "super rare" and he wanted a mint for it. All the tri 5 gurus looking at it said it was aftermarket.

 

JC whitney, 1958.

 

I seen a few when there were gas lines,
Carter administration, so they must have been available for a while.
17 % interest rate.. makes me puke thinkin' about it..

 

It's pretty something. Pretty ugly.

 

had one on my old 56 4dr wagon, was a good conversation starter. i like the odd things that find their way on to our old cars.

 

Had a Bel Air 4 door with the locking bar version, took the same single RP key. Not shown in any of my '56 literature, but appeared to be factory GM.

 

With that aftermarket locking mechanism, the "bar" is deleted So on one side there's a bar, on the other, no bar. Sort of messes up the whole tail light thing of the 56 Chevrolet. JMO. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Nifty. 1st one I've seen, and I geek out on unusual tri 5 stuff. JC Whitney had a lot of do-dads, gee-gaws, and trinkets for these cars. That tail light is useful, unlike the bogus CB antennas (Give your car that CB look!) WTF.

 

J C Whitney....... the dream catalog of my youth.

 

Interesting piece for sure. First one I've ever seen and I'm a pretty old guy.... Cool of you to post the ad, squirrel.

 

I've got an old 1966 J.C. Whitney catalog, number 229. Not anywhere in in however can I find that lock, so they abandoned them by then. Lots of other neat stuff in the catalog, and the prices.................................
I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

they had lots of stuff for "late model" cars that went away after a few years, it seems

 

Be right back forgot to lock my tail light.

 

Sweet..............JC Whitney...... Like It..

 

Very well could be the JC Whitney posted above. I need to check the key feature, It might work with any key that is the same key blank. Ignition key works with it, but many might actually work.

 

First locking one I've ever seen. Probably a good idea. I've had a couple of 56's and always got tired of some Bubba putting his **** skinners on my tail light as he showed his Bubbette where you put the gas in.

Gary

 

I Like the JC Whitney Option.......still cool.

 

Just removed the bar from the p***enger side, and subs***ute a round head stove bolt to make them "match". I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Always thinking!

 

Most people don't have a clue the gas filler is behind the tail light nowadays.