The Ford Barn

Steve in Denver · 01-31-2018, 08:39 PM

What is the story on the Blue Dot Tail Lights? Are they correct or are they aftermarket? Are they frowned upon by the concours crowd?

shoe box Jack · 01-31-2018, 09:16 PM

Here in Ontario the blue dots are illegal . Jack.

Bubsyouruncle · 01-31-2018, 09:31 PM

Blue dots are fox tails.

IMHO

Drbrown · 01-31-2018, 09:45 PM

Definitely aftermarket. Henry Ford might frown on them. Started their popularity around 1950's (?) One can still buy the blue dot itself with a small chrome ring round it, drill a glass lens and press them in.

Had them on my '47. Although they look "neat" at a distance directly to the rear, I was concerned that following cars might not detect the rear of my car or its brake lights, as readily as plain red lenses. The original '40s vintage tail lights are difficult enough to see as is, so I change back to standard red lenses and put brighter bulbs in them.

cas3 · 01-31-2018, 10:39 PM

i've never used any because i fear johnny law would have the excuse he needed to harass me. they sure look cool at night though

corvette8n · 01-31-2018, 11:05 PM

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I saw a car with bluedots at a car show recently, the guy had little black rubber covers that he pushed into the chrome ring to cover the blue so he could drive it home. I thinks they are illegal in NY also.

IGRocker · 01-31-2018, 11:10 PM

I’ve always heard it was for doctors in the early days of cars, so that if they were caught speeding (presumably to an emergency), the police would see the blue dot and allow them to continue on.

Long story short, hot rodders caught on and began installing a blue dot on their taillights. At least this is what the old guys have told me!

RalphM · 01-31-2018, 11:35 PM

I used to have them on an Old Harley, but they just look out of place on Old Fords to me.

Side note; I deplore those yellow turn signals on new cars!

cas3 · 01-31-2018, 11:43 PM

worse yet, yellow signals on old cars

51 MERC-CT · 02-01-2018, 06:01 AM

Blue dots were standard equipment on 1930's Packard's and I believe some Cadillac's.
After market on everything else. (this is most likely where the idea came from)

richard crow · 02-01-2018, 07:40 AM

they are illegal in new york. the only thing legal is paying taxes & tolls .ny land of taxes

Old Redneck · 02-01-2018, 09:11 AM

They are not legal in Pa. also. When I was a kid I though they were neat. My 33 Ford has them.

Steve in Denver · 02-01-2018, 09:41 AM

ok, cool but probably illegal. I will pass on installing them.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 02-01-2018, 10:00 AM

Aftermarket for sure , no oem ever used them. I bought and sold hundreds from old stock Dietz and others , found them everywhere i could get them.Actually bought a 35 gallon keg of just the trim and blue light. Very popular and like someone said foxtails of the 50s and 60s.. JC Whitney sold them as well as western auto etc..

JM 35 Sedan · 02-01-2018, 10:58 AM

I had one on my 35 standard fordor sedan (one taillight on left side) and got stopped near Dawsonville, Ga several years ago by the Georgia State Police. The officer was not happy that my only taillight shined blue when I was braking. Just gave me a verbal warning to get it changed to an all red lens asap, which I did that night at the hotel.

I wound up with several well made sets of these blue dot lenses, that fit round type 35-36 taillights, if anyone is interested in buying a set.

einstein · 02-01-2018, 11:06 AM

If you are driving on the street check with your local police MOST states these are illegal. They look cool had them on my 47,but if you get an officer who is having a bad day you may end up with a bad day also.

Rustedjunk · 02-01-2018, 11:31 AM

They are legal in Minnesota for classic cars only.

tubman · 02-01-2018, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IGRocker

I’ve always heard it was for doctors in the early days of cars, so that if they were caught speeding (presumably to an emergency), the police would see the blue dot and allow them to continue on.

Long story short, hot rodders caught on and began installing a blue dot on their taillights. At least this is what the old guys have told me!

While this is probably an urban legend, I really like this explanation!

Merc Cruzer · 02-01-2018, 11:37 AM

Never an issue with them with the Law....but I am in Colorado.

34PKUP · 02-01-2018, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUBBAS IGNITION

, no oem ever used them..

Check post #10 above.

01-31-2018, 09:16 PM	#2
shoe box Jack Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kingston Ontario Canada Posts: 251	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights Here in Ontario the blue dots are illegal . Jack.

01-31-2018, 09:31 PM	#3
Bubsyouruncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Gurnee, Illinois Posts: 270	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights Blue dots are fox tails. IMHO

01-31-2018, 09:45 PM	#4
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights Definitely aftermarket. Henry Ford might frown on them. Started their popularity around 1950's (?) One can still buy the blue dot itself with a small chrome ring round it, drill a glass lens and press them in. Had them on my '47. Although they look "neat" at a distance directly to the rear, I was concerned that following cars might not detect the rear of my car or its brake lights, as readily as plain red lenses. The original '40s vintage tail lights are difficult enough to see as is, so I change back to standard red lenses and put brighter bulbs in them.

01-31-2018, 10:39 PM	#5
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,577	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights i've never used any because i fear johnny law would have the excuse he needed to harass me. they sure look cool at night though

01-31-2018, 11:05 PM	#6
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,954	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I saw a car with bluedots at a car show recently, the guy had little black rubber covers that he pushed into the chrome ring to cover the blue so he could drive it home. I thinks they are illegal in NY also.

01-31-2018, 08:39 PM	#1
Steve in Denver Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 566	Blue Dot Tail Lights What is the story on the Blue Dot Tail Lights? Are they correct or are they aftermarket? Are they frowned upon by the concours crowd?

01-31-2018, 11:10 PM	#7
IGRocker Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Iowa Posts: 3	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights I’ve always heard it was for doctors in the early days of cars, so that if they were caught speeding (presumably to an emergency), the police would see the blue dot and allow them to continue on. Long story short, hot rodders caught on and began installing a blue dot on their taillights. At least this is what the old guys have told me! __________________ Guitars and cars, does it get any better?

01-31-2018, 11:35 PM	#8
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights I used to have them on an Old Harley, but they just look out of place on Old Fords to me. Side note; I deplore those yellow turn signals on new cars!

01-31-2018, 11:43 PM	#9
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,577	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights worse yet, yellow signals on old cars

02-01-2018, 07:40 AM	#11
richard crow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,770	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights they are illegal in new york. the only thing legal is paying taxes & tolls .ny land of taxes

02-01-2018, 09:41 AM	#13
Steve in Denver Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 566	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights ok, cool but probably illegal. I will pass on installing them.

02-01-2018, 10:00 AM	#14
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights Aftermarket for sure , no oem ever used them. I bought and sold hundreds from old stock Dietz and others , found them everywhere i could get them.Actually bought a 35 gallon keg of just the trim and blue light. Very popular and like someone said foxtails of the 50s and 60s.. JC Whitney sold them as well as western auto etc.. __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

02-01-2018, 10:58 AM	#15
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights I had one on my 35 standard fordor sedan (one taillight on left side) and got stopped near Dawsonville, Ga several years ago by the Georgia State Police. The officer was not happy that my only taillight shined blue when I was braking. Just gave me a verbal warning to get it changed to an all red lens asap, which I did that night at the hotel. I wound up with several well made sets of these blue dot lenses, that fit round type 35-36 taillights, if anyone is interested in buying a set. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

02-01-2018, 11:06 AM	#16
einstein Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 63	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights If you are driving on the street check with your local police MOST states these are illegal. They look cool had them on my 47,but if you get an officer who is having a bad day you may end up with a bad day also.

02-01-2018, 11:31 AM	#17
Rustedjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 302	Re: Blue Dot Tail Lights They are legal in Minnesota for classic cars only.