Single Piece Rear Bumper Overrider Tube - 1957a Coupe and taillight question

[Jacin Ferreira]

Hi.

I wasn't quite sure what its called as there seems to be several different names for it or the bumper guards. But I recently discovered that I may have a "rare" rear bumper overrider on my '57 coupe.

After posting a picture of it on instagram a friend down in central CA mentioned that he has a '57 coupe with the same single piece overrider tube and it's a 3 month only thing. I did a bunch of searching here and image searching and couldn't find any other examples or discussions.

Was wonder what the experts knew about it.

Specs on my car from the Kardex.. VIN 58923. Hoffman car. Only options listed are Telefunken Radio, Antenna, Sealed Beam Headlights and USA Bumpers.

Secondary question, when I got the car it had the standard aftermarket reproduction taillight rings and lenses. I found a set of SWF K11442 Lenses and rings and installed them. They are a little lighter in color and certainly a little taller than the reproductions. Are these correct?

Thanks!

- jacin

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[RSTOAD]

For some reason it was very short lived. I too had one in a dealer purchase, liquidating the 356 inventory in the mid 70s. Bill Edwards

[Jacin Ferreira]

For some reason it was very short lived. I too had one in a dealer purchase, liquidating the 356 inventory in the mid 70s. Bill Edwards

Was your's a '57 also? Was this model year first for USA spec bumpers or something?

[Vic Skirmants]

I think the taillights in your photos are reproduction: too tall and too light colored.
Originals are shorter and very dark.

[Jacin Ferreira]

I think the taillights in your photos are reproduction: too tall and too light colored.
Originals are shorter and very dark.

Thanks Vic.. my car has a transmission built by you in it.

Here are the lenses I installed and then compared to the reproductions underneath which are darker and shorter.
These are SWF K11442 and were listed as proper for late beehive cars, but I can't find anything like a progressive refinements like I have for my VW's.

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[Jacin Ferreira]

I also found this ad here showing this same lens as a beehive taillight and there are some listed on ebay.

https://porsche356registry.org/classifieds/19462

[Spike Jones]

I had a '56 coupe which had the original taillights on it when I bought it. IIRC, the lenses were lower and darker. I also think that it had the single overrider bar. I'll look to see if I have any pics.

[Jacin Ferreira]

I had a '56 coupe which had the original taillights on it when I bought it. IIRC, the lenses were lower and darker. I also think that it had the single overrider bar. I'll look to see if I have any pics.

Thanks Spike. That would be helpful!

[Jules Dielen]

this 'tube' was introduced in the 1956 model year but the police complained that it covered the license plate.

Most US spec '56 have this setup. There are a few very early '57 cars with a single overrider tube combined with the later teardrop taillights but it's a very small number.

There is also a difference in the teardrops in 53-55 Pre-A vs '56 A, the taller ones were introduced in early '55 to accept the larger 20w light bulb.

[Jacin Ferreira]

this 'tube' was introduced in the 1956 model year but the police complained that it covered the license plate.

Most US spec '56 have this setup. There are a few very early '57 cars with a single overrider tube combined with the later teardrop taillights but it's a very small number.

There is also a difference in the teardrops in 53-55 Pre-A vs '56 A, the taller ones were introduced in early '55 to accept the larger 20w light bulb.

Thanks Jules.. that's extremely helpful. Since the beehive rolled into early '57 I'll assume that mine falls in the category of being just like a '56.

So I'll look for the taller of the darker beehive taillights.

I wonder what the SWF K11442 are correct for then if not '56 / Early '57 A cars.

[Jules Dielen]

Teardrop tail lights were introduced at vin 100001 so yes you have a 56 setup.

The k11442 bezel was used for the front turn signals after 100001.

[Jacin Ferreira]

Teardrop tail lights were introduced at vin 100001 so yes you have a 56 setup.

The k11442 bezel was used for the front turn signals after 100001.

Excellent. Thanks for the info. You made my day! Now to hunt for the proper taillights.

[Spencer Harris]

FWIW, some reference notes I took from discussions with Bob Chase (RIP) in 2015. We had visions of putting a bumper reference paper together for the Registry before he got sick.

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