The Ford Barn

FL&WVMIKE · 06-02-2010, 10:25 AM

Just how many Model "A" Sportlights are still around ?
They must be pretty scarce. They cost about $10.00 when new, back in the worst part of the depression. You hardly ever see them on Model "A"s.
MIKE

HoarseWhisperer · 06-02-2010, 10:36 AM

I have two, one with the "Model J" on the tag; the other without any Model designation. Both are the later "Junior" 5 1/2" size. The most difficult part was finding the open car mounting bracket.

MikeK · 06-02-2010, 10:41 AM

I have one complete and on my roadster, and parts to put together another, including the roadster mounting brackets. Mine are the 5" Sportlite Junior, sold specifically by many A dealers, not the standard Sportlite you have pictured.

You might want to contact Ron Ehrenhofer, he was quite into them. A few years ago I investment cast a dozen bronze brackets for him, and also injection molded about a hundred wax patterns for a specific bracket he wanted.

FL&WVMIKE · 06-02-2010, 10:47 AM

MIKEK ..................................
The open car bracket pictured, for my '29 roadster, is a reproduction. I bought it sometime in the 60s or early 70s, I believe.
MIKE

FL&WVMIKE · 06-02-2010, 02:44 PM

MikeK ......................................
I have a small box of old spotlight pieces, to use when I restore mine. The spotlight here, is a Unity "SafetyLight". I believe this is what came out in the 30s.
MIKE

Dennis L Oberer · 06-02-2010, 03:29 PM

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I could be wrong but I think Unity made them and put the Ford label on them.

I have a CHEVY sportlight and it appears to be identical to the Ford except for the riveted on Name Plate.

Hey all you experts...am I right or am I wrong in this assumption?

Thanks

Dennis L Oberer
Green Bay WI

HoarseWhisperer · 06-02-2010, 04:25 PM

No expert, but I like to read what the researches have to say.

There's a nice article entitled Sportlites by Ron Erenhofer pg 12, Vol #3 of MARC's Technically Speaking.

Another is from the Dec 2006 issue of the A400 Newsletter.

The Ford tag might have been on the later Unity SafetyLight, but these sources indicate either the Unity Model J tag, or no Model designation at all on the 29-31 Unity Sportlite for Model A.

I will wait also, for the experts to chime in..........

Karl · 06-02-2010, 05:02 PM

I have two . One on my 1930 Sports Coupe with Brackets from Ron Ehrenhofer . This was originally a 1930 Chev one that I brought off Ebay and restored myself and is identical to the Model A one (once you remove the Chev badge ) . It replaced a 1928 Sportlight that cracked through the body and is now being repaired by a friend for his car. The Second on my 1930 Phaeton is a reproduction by Ron and it is perfect. It wasn't cheap and it took about 9 months to arrive but was worth every penny and second of the wait. Karl

HoarseWhisperer · 06-02-2010, 05:04 PM

BTW, I believe the Sportlite that Fl&WVMike has pictured is the early 1928 version sold by Ford Dealers, before they changed to the 5 1/2" Junior Sportlite (1929-1934).

Stretch Cab · 06-02-2010, 06:12 PM

I have two, one on my daughters early 30 rdst. pu and one for my 31 rdst. I really like the looks of the lights.

FL&WVMIKE · 06-02-2010, 09:35 PM

HoarseWhisperer ....................
The one that I have is the one that you see pictured in the FORD literature, etc. The early literature anyway. I have some, somewhere. If I find it, I will show it.
Thanks,
MIKE

Chris Haynes · 06-03-2010, 01:18 AM

There is one on eBay now. The guy is REAL PROUD of it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1932-...Q5fAccessories

Mustang · 06-03-2010, 02:43 AM

I’ll join “Hoarse” in the non-expert category with
some additional info, and of coarse the results of
one of my other (non expert) pastimes – Patent searching.

Henry R. Gross
Chicago, Illinois
Spotlight
Patent number: 1702772
Filing date: Apr 28, 1927
Issue date: Feb 19, 1929
http://tinyurl.com/2dcwnlh

Henry R. Gross
Chicago, Illinois
Improved Mounting Bracket (Curved and Sloped Windshield Pillar)
Patent number: 1913075
Filing date: Feb 23, 1932
Issue date: Jun 6, 1933
http://tinyurl.com/25o8pz6

Henry R. Gross
Chicago, Illinois
Improved Mounting Bracket (Sloped Windshield Pillar)
Patent number: 1940348
Filing date: Feb 3, 1933
Issue date: Dec 19, 1933
http://tinyurl.com/345bv8q

Other mounting changes were covered in patents
filed by Henry R. Gross in 1947 and 1951.

Even though Henry R. Gross was president of Unity Mfg,
the first time that Unity Manufacturing was mentioned
in any of the patents referencing the 1702772 spotlight patent
was in a Aug 19, 1993 application covering a spotlight mount
and filed by “William” E. Gross. of Chicago

Unity are still alive and well as a major vehicle lighting manufacture.
Here is the link to Unity’s database going back to 1929, that includes
their early ads and flyers etc showing how the spotlight has evolved..
http://unityusa.com/historical_archive.htm

Art

Model A Man · 06-03-2010, 09:33 AM

The spot light on my coupe is I believe from a model T. I made a bracket that fits using two of the spare tire bolts on the side mount. I get a lot of comments when people see it. I will try to take pictures of it today.

FL&WVMIKE · 06-03-2010, 10:20 AM

MUSTANG . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thank you so much for providing that information about the Unity Company and their lights ! That was a big help to me.
I learned a lot about my SAFETYLIGHT and also that three others that I have are from 1953. One is FORD script. I also learned some about a pair of roadlights that I have.
You can see some of the patented brackets in my collection of misc.
Thanks again !
MIKE

HoarseWhisperer · 06-03-2010, 04:28 PM

The patent info was interesting.
As previously mentioned, the two Sportlites I have are identical in every way, except one tag has the Model J, the other no model designation. Then a repro tag I have says Model J-1.
I have conflicting articles that say the second version of Model A Unity Sportlite should have Model J, the other says no.
Patent dates on both are 1914-15-24-29. So the research continues and hopefully someone has additional info.
In any case, I think that early tag posted by FL&WVMIKE is the most attractive in appearance.

FL&WVMIKE · 06-04-2010, 11:20 AM

Hoarse Whisperer . . . . . . . . . . . .
I found a re-print of the early FORD advertising piece, showing the early style SPORTLIGHT as an accessory. This advertising piece is duplicated in the first issue of "FORD LIFE", the Nov.-Dec. 1970 issue.
This SPORTLIGHT cost $15.00 when new.
MIKE

Model A Man · 06-04-2010, 03:12 PM

I made a bracket that bolts to the spare wheel using 2 of the 3 lug bolts. I think this is a spot light used on model T's

FL&WVMIKE · 06-04-2010, 03:35 PM

Model A Man . . . . . . . . . . .
How neat ! I bet you will give a lot of people some ideas !
MIKE

Brad in Germany · 06-20-2010, 03:42 AM

Is this Sportlite correct for a 1931 Model A? ....or is it perhaps for a later model?

I see that the off-on switch is not at the tip of the inside arm as shown in the accessory brochure, but rather placed under the inside end tip. The data-plate lists it as a Model J-1.

It is offered for sale for about $190 here in Germany. Does that sound like a fair market value price for what appears to be a good condition light?

Thanks for any feedback.

Fordially,
Brad in Germany

06-02-2010, 10:36 AM	#2
HoarseWhisperer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,470	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? I have two, one with the "Model J" on the tag; the other without any Model designation. Both are the later "Junior" 5 1/2" size. The most difficult part was finding the open car mounting bracket. __________________ I know a lot of things; I just can't remember them all. 1928 CCPU 82-A 1931 Roadster 40-B Dlx (Canadian)

06-02-2010, 10:47 AM	#4
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? MIKEK .................................. The open car bracket pictured, for my '29 roadster, is a reproduction. I bought it sometime in the 60s or early 70s, I believe. MIKE

06-02-2010, 03:29 PM	#6
Dennis L Oberer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Green Bay WI Posts: 179	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I could be wrong but I think Unity made them and put the Ford label on them. I have a CHEVY sportlight and it appears to be identical to the Ford except for the riveted on Name Plate. Hey all you experts...am I right or am I wrong in this assumption? Thanks Dennis L Oberer Green Bay WI

06-02-2010, 04:25 PM	#7
HoarseWhisperer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,470	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? No expert, but I like to read what the researches have to say. There's a nice article entitled Sportlites by Ron Erenhofer pg 12, Vol #3 of MARC's Technically Speaking. Another is from the Dec 2006 issue of the A400 Newsletter. The Ford tag might have been on the later Unity SafetyLight, but these sources indicate either the Unity Model J tag, or no Model designation at all on the 29-31 Unity Sportlite for Model A. I will wait also, for the experts to chime in.......... __________________ I know a lot of things; I just can't remember them all. 1928 CCPU 82-A 1931 Roadster 40-B Dlx (Canadian)

06-02-2010, 05:02 PM	#8
Karl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manawatu, New Zealand Posts: 1,416	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? I have two . One on my 1930 Sports Coupe with Brackets from Ron Ehrenhofer . This was originally a 1930 Chev one that I brought off Ebay and restored myself and is identical to the Model A one (once you remove the Chev badge ) . It replaced a 1928 Sportlight that cracked through the body and is now being repaired by a friend for his car. The Second on my 1930 Phaeton is a reproduction by Ron and it is perfect. It wasn't cheap and it took about 9 months to arrive but was worth every penny and second of the wait. Karl

06-02-2010, 10:41 AM	#3
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? I have one complete and on my roadster, and parts to put together another, including the roadster mounting brackets. Mine are the 5" Sportlite Junior, sold specifically by many A dealers, not the standard Sportlite you have pictured. You might want to contact Ron Ehrenhofer, he was quite into them. A few years ago I investment cast a dozen bronze brackets for him, and also injection molded about a hundred wax patterns for a specific bracket he wanted.

06-02-2010, 05:04 PM	#9
HoarseWhisperer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,470	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? BTW, I believe the Sportlite that Fl&WVMike has pictured is the early 1928 version sold by Ford Dealers, before they changed to the 5 1/2" Junior Sportlite (1929-1934). __________________ I know a lot of things; I just can't remember them all. 1928 CCPU 82-A 1931 Roadster 40-B Dlx (Canadian)

06-02-2010, 06:12 PM	#10
Stretch Cab Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lexington, NC Posts: 695	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? I have two, one on my daughters early 30 rdst. pu and one for my 31 rdst. I really like the looks of the lights.

06-02-2010, 09:35 PM	#11
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? HoarseWhisperer .................... The one that I have is the one that you see pictured in the FORD literature, etc. The early literature anyway. I have some, somewhere. If I find it, I will show it. Thanks, MIKE

06-03-2010, 01:18 AM	#12
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? There is one on eBay now. The guy is REAL PROUD of it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1932-...Q5fAccessories __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

06-03-2010, 02:43 AM	#13
Mustang Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 63	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? I’ll join “Hoarse” in the non-expert category with some additional info, and of coarse the results of one of my other (non expert) pastimes – Patent searching. Henry R. Gross Chicago, Illinois Spotlight Patent number: 1702772 Filing date: Apr 28, 1927 Issue date: Feb 19, 1929 http://tinyurl.com/2dcwnlh Henry R. Gross Chicago, Illinois Improved Mounting Bracket (Curved and Sloped Windshield Pillar) Patent number: 1913075 Filing date: Feb 23, 1932 Issue date: Jun 6, 1933 http://tinyurl.com/25o8pz6 Henry R. Gross Chicago, Illinois Improved Mounting Bracket (Sloped Windshield Pillar) Patent number: 1940348 Filing date: Feb 3, 1933 Issue date: Dec 19, 1933 http://tinyurl.com/345bv8q Other mounting changes were covered in patents filed by Henry R. Gross in 1947 and 1951. Even though Henry R. Gross was president of Unity Mfg, the first time that Unity Manufacturing was mentioned in any of the patents referencing the 1702772 spotlight patent was in a Aug 19, 1993 application covering a spotlight mount and filed by “William” E. Gross. of Chicago Unity are still alive and well as a major vehicle lighting manufacture. Here is the link to Unity’s database going back to 1929, that includes their early ads and flyers etc showing how the spotlight has evolved.. http://unityusa.com/historical_archive.htm Art

06-03-2010, 09:33 AM	#14
Model A Man Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sarasota Florida Posts: 604	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? The spot light on my coupe is I believe from a model T. I made a bracket that fits using two of the spare tire bolts on the side mount. I get a lot of comments when people see it. I will try to take pictures of it today.

06-03-2010, 10:20 AM	#15
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? MUSTANG . . . . . . . . . . . . Thank you so much for providing that information about the Unity Company and their lights ! That was a big help to me. I learned a lot about my SAFETYLIGHT and also that three others that I have are from 1953. One is FORD script. I also learned some about a pair of roadlights that I have. You can see some of the patented brackets in my collection of misc. Thanks again ! MIKE Last edited by FL&WVMIKE; 06-03-2010 at 10:23 AM. Reason: More information

06-03-2010, 04:28 PM	#16
HoarseWhisperer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,470	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? The patent info was interesting. As previously mentioned, the two Sportlites I have are identical in every way, except one tag has the Model J, the other no model designation. Then a repro tag I have says Model J-1. I have conflicting articles that say the second version of Model A Unity Sportlite should have Model J, the other says no. Patent dates on both are 1914-15-24-29. So the research continues and hopefully someone has additional info. In any case, I think that early tag posted by FL&WVMIKE is the most attractive in appearance. __________________ I know a lot of things; I just can't remember them all. 1928 CCPU 82-A 1931 Roadster 40-B Dlx (Canadian)

06-04-2010, 03:12 PM	#18
Model A Man Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sarasota Florida Posts: 604	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? I made a bracket that bolts to the spare wheel using 2 of the 3 lug bolts. I think this is a spot light used on model T's

06-04-2010, 03:35 PM	#19
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Model "A" Sportlight - How many still around ? Model A Man . . . . . . . . . . . How neat ! I bet you will give a lot of people some ideas ! MIKE

06-20-2010, 03:42 AM	#20
Brad in Germany Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Potomac, Maryland Posts: 911	Is this a correct Sportlite for a 1931 Model A? Is this Sportlite correct for a 1931 Model A? ....or is it perhaps for a later model? I see that the off-on switch is not at the tip of the inside arm as shown in the accessory brochure, but rather placed under the inside end tip. The data-plate lists it as a Model J-1. It is offered for sale for about $190 here in Germany. Does that sound like a fair market value price for what appears to be a good condition light? Thanks for any feedback. Fordially, Brad in Germany