Just picked up these late 40’s-early 50’s semi lights. Possible custom use? Can anyone envision a neat use for these Or Are they ugly with no redeeming value?
I can see them as custom tail lights, but the housing will have to part of the body. You'll just see the tail light lens as the rest is welded in (or at least the shape in sheet metal).
I like them. Boyd used something like that in the billet ages. Mounted to the bottom of the rear pan. Only issue I see is there is no reflective surface.
I was pulled over in my bus for running my roof lights. They are all red from the factory. I guess I’ll have to print some amber lenses.
The Advance Design Chevy Suburbans and panel trucks actually had lights similar to those as options. I'm not sure but they may have been turn signals as well as tails. The basic set-up for those 2 vehicles was a single taillight with a license plate bracket so the optional sidelights added an extra function. I'm not sure which years of the ADs they were available, though. I note that yours are slightly curved and not dead flat. Maybe they could serve as taillights on fat fenders or as 3rd brake lights on rooftops. I can imagine them as porchlights and rear lights on Airstreams and other trailers
Yes, as is: run lens to the rear on the body side. I'b be sorely tempted to use 4, cut in half, welded together to make them dbl-ended, so's they can be run on the back. Painted, or maybe chromed, for the "wth did those come off of look" ). Once used teardrop plastic clearance lights as a cheap sorta-clone of 39 ford taillights(none to be found around me back then) for the rear of my 32 5w. Worked well, looked ok. Marcus...
The Suburban/Panel truck ones above are the same as the 1939 passenger cars used, they're interchangeable.
They would work for tail lights on the proper fender. or even perhaps on the side of a fenderless A sedan. I probablynwould not pay much for 'em but I am lame enough to use 'em.
I’m not sure how big they are, but I think they could be used for turn signals on a fenderless roadster, mounted on the frame. Of course you would need the proper color.
Would need the right body contour Mounted vertical like the first pic on the back of a truck fender might look good.
Hoooeeee, that is large. At least enough room to put lots of lights(your choice of construction) in them so's the brain-dead *might* see them. Acting on what they *might* see, that is another topic... Still, no worse in size than some 50's/early 60's(?) corvette, or early 60's chrysler taillights. Among others... Marcus...
I’ll look in a box in the shop, but the size seems what my dads Pete’s had on the top of the cab, but I’m almost sure his were all amber.
What a great title: It reminds us of the memories of a popular TV show called Schitt's Creek and the constant use of "EEWWWWWW..." Now, for something different... Hello, Those lights could be utilized in/on just about anything, since the swoopy casing would fit most flat surfaces. The rear area of any sedan delivery is always a good spot for more lighting for brakes to warn those following and cannot see ahead of the bulky rear door. When we had our 40 Ford Sedan Delivery it was always a challenge to drive at night. First, the single brake light was not the brightest. (a second light was in the works) But, overall to keep the stock Ford Sedan Delivery look, a single unit was standard. But, there was always a discussion about adding more lights for braking. To make up for the fact that the rear window was virtually useless and the right passenger side rear panel made viewing absolutely scary at night. Your find looks good after a little clean up and if the circuitry is fine, then perhaps it would work on some blind spot sedan delivery rear door area. This 1946 Ford Sedan Delivery installed large circular lights, which to us looked a little over the top and out of place… IOHO. So, your tear drop unit could be put on this portion of the rear panel. If we were to put it on our 40 Ford Sedan Delivery, they would have to go on the rear fenders somewhere. The 40 is not as wide as the 46. But, as cool as the stock taillight/brake light was for our 40 Ford Sedan Delivery, it left a lot to be desired for rear end safety and warning to others behind us, anywhere. Our last addition was to put on another similar small round tail/brake light on the other side for more warnings to others. Jnaki So, don’t give up and see where these cool lights could go on any flat surface. It will be a custom addition to any build. It is hard enough to see all around any station wagon or sedan delivery even if it had some windows, so any nice looking rear brake lights would help in the overall attraction.
How about cutting the Housings off (like in the pic) and using as a taillamp in like the location shown on a Merc or other custom
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