53 Rear rectangle tail lights

[E Rutherford]

I have the original rectangle bulb receivers for this 53 coupe I have been restoring. They were pretty much "toast" as far as being able to accept a bulb. I was able to salvage them and convert them into being able to accept a BA15 bulb.

These bases are exactly the same size (outside dimensions) as the current reverse light on B & C cars. The rubber base gasket fits the housing perfectly, even the hole patterns for mounting.

My question is did these pre A housings use the same mounting style as the current reverse light housing? They have a small bar, threaded holes at both ends, allowing it to be bolted to the body, then the "beauty ring" can be removed without disturbing the base.

ed
klasse356

[Vic Skirmants]

Those weren't being used by late 1952. What's your chassis number?

[E Rutherford]

VIN is 11931, which would make it a 52 production and Model 53

[Vic Skirmants]

Interesting; I had 11994, all beehive.

[James Davies]

The transition from '52 to '53 models was gradual. There were a number of cars from 11779 to at least 11933 that had '53 chassis (spare tire strap instead of horn, and accepting the 519 synchro transmission) and front and rear bodywork for the the '53 bumpers, but these cars still had the '52 turn signal setup front and rear. Looks like this car is one of those, just like 11933. Here's few photos of that car, plus some of the cars during this transition period at the factory. There are several others like this that still exist.

Ed, perhaps folks with '52 and earlier cars can help you out on the details of this light!

[James Davies]

Btw, you'll also notice that these cars still had the '52 interior - lots of cushion ribs on the rear firewall padding and also (likely) still having the leather pocket instead of carpet down in the foot well area. In fact the '52 interior details remained even on some of the earliest cars with beehives.

[E Rutherford]

What year is that "blue" Pre A? Our 53 has the same tail light configuration (rectangle and pointy).

[Mike DeJonge]

Ed, the 51-52 square bezel is almost the same as the back up bezel from the later cars. You cannot tell the difference between a real 1951 bezel and a later one unless you have them side by side. the 1952 bezel has a flatter stamping than the backup bezel. Many guys are using the back up bezel in a pinch. the holes and the depression of the holes and the size is identical. I will have a look tonight to see if I have a 1952 stashed away and take a picture of it beside a back up bezel.
You can also use the same rubber which is under the back up bezel for the 1952 bezel. The bulb base that you have pictured, for your info there are 2 versions. one has ribs in it and the other is flat

[E Rutherford]

I agree. The bezels are slightly lower in profile than the reverse light bezel. Do we know if they were mounted to the car in the same fashion as the current reverse light housing is done Using the (small double threaded bar)?

Also are the rear taillights bezels the same as the front turn signals or are they the larger beehive style? This car had its original "pointy" front lenses, but nothing in the rear. I haven't seen red "pointy" lenses.

BTW looking for a pedal assembly.

thanks Mike

ed
klasse356

[Mike DeJonge]

Ed there are 2 little threaded bars for each square bezel on the early cars. I do not know if the back up lights had them. You will have to make them up, impossible to find unless you have some from the back up lights. There were 2 kinds of bezels for the pionty lenses, steel and aluminum. We have the aluminum bezels in stock. We made up a bunch when I needed them. Bezels for the front and rear are the same. We have correct pointy clear and red lenses in stock.
pedeal area on the pre A is also different. A/B pedal area can be modified. the hole for the rod that goes into the master cylinder is in a different location. Pedal board supports are also different for the pre A car. the pivot for the gas pedal linkage is totally different. We also have them in stock. All these parts we made in the shop here and then added the new parts to our inventory

[E Rutherford]

Thanks Mike,
I'll get the stuff order this morning!

ed

[James Davies]

Ed, the Adria blue car above is 11933, so probably finished the same day as your 11931 car in late 1952. You have the Kardex or COA for yours? Should have the completion date on it.

[E Rutherford]

The car is a customers car and I think he does have it. I just haven't seen it yet. He has another one that is a 53 (VIN 50041) which is currently going through the sheet metal phase.