Two tail lights?

[marty in Ohio]

Last night at a cruise-in, the Model A guys were addressing the subject of two tail lights. Later a '38 Ford sedan pulled in and it only had one tail light. When did Ford Mtr. start putting two tail lights on their cars?

[mshmodela]

I was of the understanding that car with rumble seats only had one and the passenger side was remove for a step plate for the Mother-in-Law to step up and in the the seat.

[WTSHNN]

Model A's came with one tail light on the driver side. I believe at some point a second light could be added to the passenger side as an option (factory or dealer I am unaware). Didn't matter if it had a trunk or rumble seat.

I was told that through the 1930's the Standard models had a single tail light on the driver side and the Deluxe had two. Not sure if that applies across the board but that's what I was told at Hershey last year when I saw a late 30's coupe with just one light.

Vince has this article about an original RH tail light bracket. http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/RHte...ampbracket.htm

-Tim

[SteveB31]

I dont know the answer, but most 1940 Fords still had only one.

[tmiller6]

I believe it was standard in '41.

[Bob Bidonde]

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I say the 1939 Fords and Mercury had 2 tail lights.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

This is MOST INTERESTING! I'd not given a lot of thought about later Ford tail lights. I DID remember that a '38 STANDARD had only ONE. "MAYBE" many had added a second light, in it's early life. AND, remember, for brighter tail lights, spray the INSIDE with APPLIANCE WHITE!
Bill W.

[katy]

for brighter tail lights, spray the inside with appliance white

good idea

[Willie Krash]

Personally I don't like the look of two tail lights, not that my opinion means much as I use a LED bar in the rear window as a third brake light.
BTW I agree with Bill, white paint makes a dramatic difference.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

AND, remember, for brighter tail lights, spray the INSIDE with APPLIANCE WHITE!
Bill W.

Originally Posted by Willie Krash

BTW I agree with Bill, white paint makes a dramatic difference.

Bill and Willie, Would that be also true with the headlight reflector or would it just look too weird with the clear lens??

Originally Posted by Willie Krash

Personally I don't like the look of two tail lights, not that my opinion means much as I use a LED bar in the rear window as a third brake light.

I don't care for the second tail light either and have yet to install one, altho I do have a 'center' brake light that mounts to the spare and is detachable. It has red LED's in it and is equipped with a Brake Light Flasher like this one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/390782655134...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT The flasher is made by United Pacific.

[bbrocksr]

Originally Posted by marty in Ohio

Last night at a cruise-in, the Model A guys were addressing the subject of two tail lights. Later a '38 Ford sedan pulled in and it only had one tail light. When did Ford Mtr. start putting two tail lights on their cars?

Model A s had only one standard or deluxe.
In the early V8 s, standards had one and deluxe had two until 41.
Bill

[FL&WVMIKE]

I don't think, that in judging, they knock of for the R/H light, for safety reasons. I'm not really sure, though. It should be that way.
MIKE (mikeburch)

[2manycars]

41 was the first year of 2 taillights on all models. earlier V8s had 2 on deluxe and one on standard, including the 1940.

[Willie Krash]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Bill and Willie, Would that be also true with the headlight reflector or would it just look too weird with the clear lens??

It would not be true on the headlights. Silver is a better reflector as long as it's smooth.
I tried tinfoil in the tail lights, the white paint was better.
Headlights need focus. It would look weird.
My third brake lite is a long skinny bar. People do see it.

[marty in Ohio]

Thanks for all the answers, guys. Another meet tonight. I'll tell all the boys.
Marty