Some detail for serious restorers here. According to Don Trurner in a (Sept/Oct 86 A/B Newsletter), there is stamped in the upper shell of the tailight the words NACO, and STANDARD, although not all had the latter. The red lens had NACO in raised letters molded in. Some came with Stinsnite moulded in, but Stinsnite lenses did not say NACO...probably a replacement lens. There were other replacement lenses, including Griffin which offered the exquisite Blue Dot :~) or Cobra Eye feature. Replacement numbers were (Griffin) Model 80, (Stinsnite) SGCO 1378 , Brown 1792, LL Co. 2777, and CB 700,
Most of the cars had but one of these, on
the drivers side. However some of the Master and DeLuxe models
featured one unit on each side, an upgrade that some restorers
add. This dual treatment can be seen on the 'Rose
Roadster' in the images section.There is some debate about
whether the nacelles were the same for both sides or not. The
standard and most commonly found unit, is on the drivers side
of all cars and had a curved, frosted white lens underneath which
allowed light to fall on the license plate. Some say, quite logically,
that the passenger side unit did not have (or need) this feature.
COMMENTS? I have seen the
more common unit (with the license light hole) modified so that
this hole is covered. If you do this and want to chrome the nacelle
as shown above, make sure the modification is done in such a way
that it will take chrome plating. I recently obtained one of each
of these for 30$ and 40 dollars (with stem I think) respectively,
although they were painted and the passenger side one had been
modified as above. The stem is as I understand it always to be
the body color, not chromed. They are available from Charles White
in Ohio.
LENS AND RIM (bezel). As noted, the round lens has NACO in the
molding and the color is a uniform orangy red. It is held in place
in the bezel by three odd shaped springs. If you are sorting out
your miscellaneous parts, they look like the legs of a big 'daddy
long legs'? that stretch out. I think they may be available from
vintage Ford parts dealers. The rim is usually found in stainless
or chrome, but could be body color too. I recently found some
at a swap meet both bright and painted. The rim is secured to
the nacelle by one set screw. The rim does NOT have any ears into
the lens area and securing screws. I.e. viewing the lens, there
is no interruption to a perfect circle. I paid about 4 dollars
for the lens and the bezel (10/98) at a swap meet, but, I have
seen just the bezels being sold in at least one catalog for 35$
each and the lenses for another 30$ so it pays to look around.
LUX LIGHTS. The second sort of taillights fit flush on the body on some of the later model Bantams: stemless as it were. Someone said they are being remanufactured, but I have no idea where. I'll let you know as soon as someone writes in. Anyway, they are harder to find as originals. Here they are applied to a dead stock convertible sedan, and a close up of the same lights. Note the yellow top on the drivers side to illuminate the plate.
Here's what Norm Booth has to say about them.
"The tailights are Corcoran Brown as
shown on their drawing #663138. The
letters CB are stamped on the inside flat part of the round metal
tailight
piece. This would be hidden if the lens is in place. The lenses
are "Lux".
The Bantam part number is A-3716. They are the same or very similar
as to
those used on late 30's Willys, some models of Crosley, Indian
motorcycle,
Cushman motor scooter, late 30's Nash automobile.You might search
the clubs
and suppliers for the latter parts, as well as keep your eyes
open at swap
meets.
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