30-31 cars with 2 tail lights,how ford did it ?

[31Abone]

Could a 30-31 ford be ordered with 2 tail lights ? if not, what is the best way to make the splice to main harness so it looks right ? Spencer

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

To answer your question specifically, you could not "order it" and have the factory produce it with two tail lamps however your Dealer would be happy to oblige.

Most Model-A parts dealers carry the harness that runs across the back to install a 2nd Lamp.

[Arlen]

All Fords were built with just the one taillight. However dealerships were told to push adding a second taillight as a dealer installed option. They sell everything you need to add a second light in Brattons etc. a crossover wire is ran accross the back of the car and some little clips hold it in place. Really easy. No cutting or anything like that. Other than drilling the holes in the fender, it takes 3 minutes to do.

[Flatout]

Some states required 2 tail lights. I don't know if the factory or the dealer put a second one on.

[SteveB31]

Where did this information come from that the dealers installed a second tail light? I have not seen that anywhere. Please show me .

[Tudortomnz]

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Originally Posted by SteveB31

Where did this information come from that the dealers installed a second tail light? I have not seen that anywhere. Please show me .

This was given in the Ford Service Bulletin in late 1931 [ Canadian, Nov. Dec. & US Sept. Oct.]. Service Bulletins were for the Dealers for the latest info from the Factory.
How many ever had a second one put on in the Model A era would be interesting to know, but I doubt many. It has only become common in the modern era with safety concerns & turn signals etc.
Is there an actual photo of an original car with two rear lamps?
Also, were there any States in that era that required two; I have never heard that one before, but then I live in another country.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Arlen

All Fords were built with just the one taillight. However dealerships were told to push adding a second taillight as a dealer installed option. They sell everything you need to add a second light in Brattons etc. a crossover wire is ran accross the back of the car and some little clips hold it in place. Really easy. No cutting or anything like that. Other than drilling the holes in the fender, it takes 3 minutes to do.

That's a little overstated. The one and only mention from Ford I've ever found was in their very last model A Service Bulletin (Sept.-Oct. 1931) where they suggested using a rear lamp extension harness from a 225-A Drop Floor Panel Delivery. They suggest scabbing the new harness into the existing rear harness, being sure to solder and tape the connection.

Obviously if they saw a real market for this they would have made a special harness and done so much earlier.

It's important to note they only offered a second left hand rear lamp and bracket assembly which would tilt inward at the rear instead if facing straight rearward.

[Big John]

there is a right and left tailite stand that is originally used...an original right hand tailite stand is getting hard to find.....

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Big John

there is a right and left tailite stand that is originally used...an original right hand tailite stand is getting hard to find.....

The original RH brackets are difficult to find as they were never sold in the USA. They were used on RHD vehicles only. The few that are found here came from overseas, usually on a car that was then converted to LHD here in the states.

[Bruce Lancaster]

Also, I think the requirement for 2 taillights came about in some states around 1939-41... if anyone has a '28-48 parts book handy the information is in there.
Standard Ford V8's had single lights through 1940, maybe 1941...book will settle that...and for something in that era the parts book notes that the ones for a particular state, I believe Washington, got twin lights. From either '41 or '42, even those salesman's specials got dual lights. Not an issue for Model A days.
There may have been early Model A owners who were like 1970's restorers, though... a need for dual everything from the bolt-on catalogs. Lights, horns , mirrors, those extra mirrors on the dual spares, etc.