More Questions on Pre-A Beehives

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Dan Kalinski
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More Questions on Pre-A Beehives

#1 Post by Dan Kalinski »

For our 55 Spstr, have the 4 tail light lenses which are marked with 396 418 on the lens rim and was not able to detect any markings at the nose of the red lenses.... Correct for 1955?

Have only one clear lens and it is marked SWF interiorly at the very nose of the lens... Correct?

Need 3 of the backing plates where the bulb is fitted, one chrome bezel, and a clear SWF lens. Also looking for a horn grill.

BTW, the lenses are all plastic.

Thank you all!

Dan K.
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Spencer Harris
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Re: More Questions on Pre-A Beehives

#2 Post by Spencer Harris »

I don't recall any 396 418 marking on my original '55 lenses.

Best match for the clear front lenses I've found are from this eBay vendor of MBZ190 repro lenses. 2mm shorter than originals, but perfect profile and fit.
ebay ad.JPG
Front Turn Signal Lenses - Shorter  German MBZ 190 Repro.jpg
SWF marking on parking/signal lens started (I believe) with the T2 models. Good reference guide in this Registry tech article:
Web_233_Front_Turn_Signal_Types.pdf
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Beehive fixtures (backing plates) without bezel, lens and gaskets are available from Sierra Madre. They also offer bezels. Frequently I see sellers on Samba selling original components.
Spencer Harris
San Joaquin Valley, CA.

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Dan Kalinski
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Re: More Questions on Pre-A Beehives

#3 Post by Dan Kalinski »

Spencer Harris wrote: Wed Sep 21, 2022 3:27 pm I don't recall any 396 418 marking on my original '55 lenses.

Best match for the clear front lenses I've found are from this eBay vendor of MBZ190 repro lenses. 2mm shorter than originals, but perfect profile and fit.
ebay ad.JPG
Front Turn Signal Lenses - Shorter German MBZ 190 Repro.jpg

SWF marking on parking/signal lens started (I believe) with the T2 models. Good reference guide in this Registry tech article:
Web_233_Front_Turn_Signal_Types.pdf

Beehive fixtures (backing plates) without bezel, lens and gaskets are available from Sierra Madre. They also offer bezels. Frequently I see sellers on Samba selling original components.
Thank you, Spencer.

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Martin Benade
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Re: More Questions on Pre-A Beehives

#4 Post by Martin Benade »

Those lenses would all be plastic originally?
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James Davies
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Re: More Questions on Pre-A Beehives

#5 Post by James Davies »

1. All beehives were provided by SWF and were plastic.
2. The front beehives were clear in 1953 model year, and so Spencer's link is good for that. For 1954-55 model year, they were frosted. Same shape.
3. NLA Parts provides good reproductions of the frosted front beehives for 1954-55 cars.
4. Your tail light lenses are not original to the car. The pre-A ones were not marked with "396 418". Those were produced later.

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Dan Kalinski
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Re: More Questions on Pre-A Beehives

#6 Post by Dan Kalinski »

James Davies wrote: Thu Sep 22, 2022 5:10 am 1. All beehives were provided by SWF and were plastic.
2. The front beehives were clear in 1953 model year, and so Spencer's link is good for that. For 1954-55 model year, they were frosted. Same shape.
3. NLA Parts provides good reproductions of the frosted front beehives for 1954-55 cars.
4. Your tail light lenses are not original to the car. The pre-A ones were not marked with "396 418". Those were produced later.
Thank you, James!

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