What are cowl lights for ??

[C26Pinelake]

Other than converting to turn signals when do you use your cowl lights ??

[Jim/GA]

Parking lights.

[Mike V. Florida]

Leaving your car parked on the side of a dark road without some warning of its presence was a hazard to both your vehicle, and to other drivers as most roads were unlit and narrow. The purpose of the parking light has changed over the years. Wider roads allowing room for on street parking with no obstruction of the driving lanes have made their original purpose obsolete. The parking light still serves an important function in driving safety, used more as a marker light to make vehicles more visible at night, especially from the side view. Such marker lights became mandatory in 1968, to improve safety and vehicle visibility on the roads. The parking light can also be helpful as backup lighting if you have a headlight burn out during driving. The glow of the parking light can help your vehicle be more visible to oncoming drivers even with only one headlight, making it easier for others to determine that a car, not a motorcycle is approaching so they can move over further.

[kenparker]

Cowl lights of the 1920's and 30's are/were like the gidgets of our modern day. The more gidgets the manufacturer can add the more profit the manufacturer makes.

[CarlG]

On my 31 Fordor that I had in High School, I wired the cowl lights to come on at the same time that the tail lights were on, thereby illuminating the whole front of the car anytime the lights were on. When I put cowl lights on my PU (in the avitar) I wired them up the same way, as well as adding turn signals.

[modelAtony]

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run my cowl lights all the time during day. I run the high candle power bulb, very bright.my 31 tudor in the color of black shows up really good with these bulbs. have fun modelAtony lafayette,la

[JD Miller]

I use the cowl lights, since they are also connected to the tail lights, for day running. Use higher power bulbs in the lights and have LED tail lights. Think this may help other drivers "see" the car.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by kenparker

Cowl lights of the 1920's and 30's are/were like the gidgets of our modern day. The more gidgets the manufacturer can add the more profit the manufacturer makes.

I agree with Ken, I believe they were no more than a sales gimmick. A way to make the entry level ford car look like an upscale high end automobile. A way to make a standard car into a deluxe. Like adding leather, power & heated seats in todays market.