Original Tail Light Lenses?

[calais66]

Curious if the tail light lenses on our project '51 FC are original to the trailer. They're definitely of the era, but looking at other '51s I haven't seen any with them and these are held on with three different types of screws which is in line with the PO's other 'modifications'. They're the step type that look like the Reflect-O-Lites (these are Trail-Lites) that Vintage Trailer Supply used to carry. They're pretty beat, but if they're original I'll be adding them to the (long) list of restorations--trying to keep her as stock as possible. Otherwise I'll just replace. Thanks!

[wkerfoot]

I thought that these were the original lights: Bargman No.2 That is what my 1954 Liner had.

Take of the ones you have and see if there are some different holes in the skin.

Bill

Originally Posted by calais66

Curious if the tail light lenses on our project '51 FC are original to the trailer. They're definitely of the era, but looking at other '51s I haven't seen any with them and these are held on with three different types of screws which is in line with the PO's other 'modifications'. They're the step type that look like the Reflect-O-Lites (these are Trail-Lites) that Vintage Trailer Supply used to carry. They're pretty beat, but if they're original I'll be adding them to the (long) list of restorations--trying to keep her as stock as possible. Otherwise I'll just replace. Thanks!

[riv-nut]

Yeah, I'd be surprised if those are original. Mine is a '52 and it has the small rectangular ones. Prior to mine they also used a single light in the middle....but that might have been prior to '51.

Lee

[MarkR]

Hi,
Here's a photo of the stock tail lights.
I think what happened was that the Vehicle Code changed and required a tail light w/more area or brightness and so many of the owners replaced their lights w/the latest tail light so they'd be in compliance . . .

Do you have the small glass "Beehive" Side Running Lights? Or did they replace those too? And where are the Running Lights? Down Low like mine or about half way Up the wall?

I notice you also have those very rare/unique windows - about half mine are plexiglass, and I'm guessing it's going to be "fun" replacing w/ glass w/ radius corners . . . mine, as you can see, is a real "project" and is unfortunately 2nd in line (of airstream projects) . . . AND it looks like we're just a few miles apart.

Good Luck w/your project.
MarkR

(oh, and mine is #7171)

[wkerfoot]

The windows on my Liner all are rectangular, they only appear to have rounded corners because of the window frame.

Bill

Originally Posted by MarkR

Hi,
Here's a photo of the stock tail lights.
I think what happened was that the Vehicle Code changed and required a tail light w/more area or brightness and so many of the owners replaced their lights w/the latest tail light so they'd be in compliance . . .

Do you have the small glass "Beehive" Side Running Lights? Or did they replace those too? And where are the Running Lights? Down Low like mine or about half way Up the wall?

I notice you also have those very rare/unique windows - about half mine are plexiglass, and I'm guessing it's going to be "fun" replacing w/ glass w/ radius corners . . . mine, as you can see, is a real "project" and is unfortunately 2nd in line (of airstream projects) . . . AND it looks like we're just a few miles apart.

Good Luck w/your project.
MarkR

(oh, and mine is #7171)

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

The windows on my Liner all are rectangular, they only appear to have rounded corners because of the window frame.

Bill

These are round (as are mine). Look at the photo in his original post - you can see the radius (at an angle, so it's not obvious). Anyway, I think they only used these particular windows for 1 or maybe 2 years. The frame, or sash actually, is just rounded channel that captures the glass edge. And then the Gasketing is another problem w/out a solution . . .

[calais66]

Thanks for the input! Mark, I think you're on to something there with the 'replaced to code' idea. Once I get to taking the interior caps off I'll be able to get a look at the wiring and that should confirm it, I'm guessing. Seeing as these are so beat down I'm sure they've been there most of the trailer's life, but I'm glad they're not stock so I can have a clean conscience about replacing completely.
We do have the low-slung beehives, although we only have three of four original lenses (the replacement fourth is on the Vintage Trailer Supply wish list). We're also VERY fortunate to have all the glass intact and crack-free throughout the trailer. Well, Almost all of it. One of the PO's decided to take a hacksaw to the front window to make way for an air conditioner. The AC is gone, but the hole remains and goes into the frame below the window. He did re-attach the cut frame piece to its vertical supports, just down an inch. I did mention this was going to be a project, right?

[calais66]

Here's a photo from inside.

[47WeeWind]

Hi calais 66:

I note your 1951 Flying Cloud is serial number 7091 built in Los Angeles, Calif. The center light on your FC looks like it might have been attached with 3 screws in a triangular pattern. If you find that screw pattern centered on your rear panel, then your original tail light consisted of a single round tail & brake light assembly with a dual filament light bulb inside for separate tail and brake light functions, pictured below, and not the Bargman No. 2 rectangular combination tail and brake lights mentioned earlier in this thread.

Your trailer also might have had separate single filament bulb Yankee Turnmaster directional lights on the left and right sides of the rear panel. The Yankee Turnmaster directional lights would have required a ~1" diameter hole for mounting, so if you find such holes underneath your present Trail-Lite "wedding cake" taillights, you will know your trailer originally had Yankee Turnmaster directional lights.

1951 Flying Cloud s/n 7099, pictured below, had the single centered tail and brake light and two Yankee Turnmaster turn signals mounted horizontally. The turn signals could also be mounted vertically by rotating them 90 degrees.

If you are not aiming for 100% originality, I'd suggest you install two 4" diameter flush mount red LED combination tail and brake lights where the Trail-Lites are presently mounted, and install a Bargman license plate light with a repro red lens cap on its end in the center of the rear panel. But whatever you choose, have fun relighting your rear end.

[calais66]

Wow! Lots of great info. Thanks! New lights are the way to go. I'm of the mind that what's left and original should be preserved and everything else should be upgraded. Now I just need to convince myself to sink the $$$ into the repro Bargman!

[FC7039]

Sorry this not to the original topic so if you have another thread let me know. I would be interested in how you treat your windows. Being single strength, how do you get them into their frames? What do you use for a gasket? Thanks

[calais66]

Luckily my windows all came in intact, but would love to know this as well just in case