The Jalopy Journal

**Jive-Bomber** · 10-11-2012, 08:31 AM

If you look at American car taillights from the 1920s, they are almost all pretty much round and simple. They varied in size (larger for luxury cars), but were treated as somewhat of an afterthought, bolted onto the back fender mainly because it was ...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

**HOTRODPRIMER** · 10-11-2012, 08:49 AM

Always been a huge fan of the 39 Ford Taillights,,and of course the Lincoln Zephyr. HRP

eddie1 · 10-11-2012, 08:53 AM

I think the 39 Ford taillights are over done. I am fan of the 40 Ford's chevron design.

Rikster · 10-11-2012, 08:58 AM

1941 Studebakers... perfection.

(photo from the internet)

**alchemy** · 10-11-2012, 09:05 AM

You've got my favorite in your list, but I'd also like to add the '48 Ford as a currently-underused traditional taillight for a hot rod. Simple yet elegant shape that works on any flat surface.

Waddayacare · 10-11-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rikster

1941 Studebakers... perfection.

(photo from the internet)

Man that's a damn good lookin' Stude!

**OL 55** · 10-11-2012, 09:14 AM

I do love the Stude tailights on the back of a 40 Ford! Hard to find and expensive so I guess I'll stick with the chevrons!

typo41 · 10-11-2012, 10:05 AM

I will hunt for my photo, but a set of 62 corvette tail lights molded into the fender look like they almost belong there.

57Custom300 · 10-11-2012, 10:12 AM

40 Ford get my vote.

**Hnstray** · 10-11-2012, 10:18 AM

Wasn't the so-called '39 taillight introduced on the '38 models ?

Is the '40 Chev taillight to which you refer perhaps the '41-'48 ?...that is what I have seen most often on Model A's and '32's......although the simplicity and elgance of the '40 Chev lamp is beautiful, the base is contoured and not often seen on other cars.

The '41 Stude is teriffic!

Ray

Weasel · 10-11-2012, 10:22 AM

Love me some 1936 De Soto or Chrysler tail lights - doors and lens set into the tailpan of a 1928-32 Ford coupe or roadster like dreddybear's....

Chris Casny · 10-11-2012, 11:53 AM

41 Studebaker taillights are great. I've been looking for a pair for a long time now, no luck yet.

**porknbeaner** · 10-11-2012, 12:00 PM

I used to really like 40 ford tail lights and they still work for me in some applications. I think it is the Chevron thing, like the gas station.

I think it is interesting that in '38 they still only had one tail light, at least on the standard. I never really thought about it as most hot rods have two these days. I like the '38 lights.

**Brandi** · 10-11-2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasel

Love me some 1936 De Soto or Chrysler tail lights - doors and lens set into the tailpan of a 1928-32 Ford coupe or roadster like dreddybear's....

LOVE these.

**Kenneth31coupe** · 10-11-2012, 01:34 PM

Here´s a pair Ilike. 39 Studebaker Commander. Fits perfect on 35-36 Ford fenders.

Dick Dake · 10-11-2012, 01:42 PM

http://hotrodalchemy.com/
your 1941 Stude lights await.

**OL 55** · 10-11-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Dake

http://hotrodalchemy.com/
your 1941 Stude lights await.

I had heard that there were repops out there. Still pretty $alty for me though!!

thunderbirdesq · 10-11-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alchemy

You've got my favorite in your list, but I'd also like to add the '48 Ford as a currently-underused traditional taillight for a hot rod. Simple yet elegant shape that works on any flat surface.

Hear hear, probably my favorite, especially on hot rods. They're just the right size and shape... In fact, I've used them so often that most others are starting to look "out of place" to me...

davidh73750 · 10-11-2012, 02:00 PM

Threads like this are great. Often small details like taillights and alike really stand out. I cringe every time I see LED oblong or round trailer lights on an old car.

titus · 10-11-2012, 02:01 PM

47 ish kiaser taillight, kinda a refined 41-48 chevy taillight, i love em, i put em on the back of my 32 coupe.

10-11-2012, 08:31 AM	#1
Jive-Bomber Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Moraga, Ca Posts: 2,419	The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s If you look at American car taillights from the 1920s, they are almost all pretty much round and simple. They varied in size (larger for luxury cars), but were treated as somewhat of an afterthought, bolted onto the back fender mainly because it was ... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

10-11-2012, 08:49 AM	#2
HOTRODPRIMER Alliance Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Anderson,S.C. Posts: 16,573	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s Always been a huge fan of the 39 Ford Taillights,,and of course the Lincoln Zephyr. HRP __________________ Tradition without intelligence is not worth having. T.S. Eliot '54 Ranch Wagon build photos

10-11-2012, 08:53 AM	#3
eddie1 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maple Ridge, BC Posts: 466	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s I think the 39 Ford taillights are over done. I am fan of the 40 Ford's chevron design. __________________ Rescuing one dog may not change the world , but for that one dog the world will be changed forever.

10-11-2012, 08:58 AM	#4
Rikster Old School HAMBer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 5,558	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s 1941 Studebakers... perfection. (photo from the internet) __________________ Rik Hoving Follow us on Facebook http://rikhovingkustoms.com

10-11-2012, 09:05 AM	#5
alchemy Alliance Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: M'town, Iowa Posts: 6,519	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s You've got my favorite in your list, but I'd also like to add the '48 Ford as a currently-underused traditional taillight for a hot rod. Simple yet elegant shape that works on any flat surface. __________________ Repro '41 Studebaker Taillights Vintage RnC for sale Vintage HRM for sale

10-11-2012, 09:14 AM	#7
OL 55 Alliance Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Glen Arm, Md. Posts: 2,576	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s I do love the Stude tailights on the back of a 40 Ford! Hard to find and expensive so I guess I'll stick with the chevrons! __________________ Looking for Doug's headers # D338Y

10-11-2012, 10:05 AM	#8
typo41 Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mentone Beach, California Posts: 124	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s I will hunt for my photo, but a set of 62 corvette tail lights molded into the fender look like they almost belong there. __________________ AKA Anthony Huntimer - Huntimer Photography Home of the World's Fastest Calendar

10-11-2012, 10:12 AM	#9
57Custom300 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 654	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s 40 Ford get my vote.

10-11-2012, 10:18 AM	#10
Hnstray Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Quincy, IL Posts: 4,174	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s Wasn't the so-called '39 taillight introduced on the '38 models ? Is the '40 Chev taillight to which you refer perhaps the '41-'48 ?...that is what I have seen most often on Model A's and '32's......although the simplicity and elgance of the '40 Chev lamp is beautiful, the base is contoured and not often seen on other cars. The '41 Stude is teriffic! Ray __________________ "In any conflict between Physics and Style, Physics always wins"

10-11-2012, 10:22 AM	#11
Weasel Old School HAMBer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: At my keyboard Posts: 6,128	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s Love me some 1936 De Soto or Chrysler tail lights - doors and lens set into the tailpan of a 1928-32 Ford coupe or roadster like dreddybear's.... __________________ Procrastinate NOW!

10-11-2012, 11:53 AM	#12
Chris Casny Old School HAMBer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hollywood CA/Burbank CA/Austin TX Posts: 4,549	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s 41 Studebaker taillights are great. I've been looking for a pair for a long time now, no luck yet. __________________ I know nothing

10-11-2012, 12:00 PM	#13
porknbeaner Alliance Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Raytown, MO Posts: 24,495	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s I used to really like 40 ford tail lights and they still work for me in some applications. I think it is the Chevron thing, like the gas station. I think it is interesting that in '38 they still only had one tail light, at least on the standard. I never really thought about it as most hot rods have two these days. I like the '38 lights. __________________ If it don't make ya dirty it ain't yours No man crosses a chasm in two jumps

10-11-2012, 01:34 PM	#15
Kenneth31coupe Alliance Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Sweden Posts: 182	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s Here´s a pair Ilike. 39 Studebaker Commander. Fits perfect on 35-36 Ford fenders.

10-11-2012, 01:42 PM	#16
Dick Dake Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Valparaiso, In Posts: 788	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s http://hotrodalchemy.com/ your 1941 Stude lights await.

10-11-2012, 02:00 PM	#19
davidh73750 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: kingfisher, OK Posts: 1,351	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s Threads like this are great. Often small details like taillights and alike really stand out. I cringe every time I see LED oblong or round trailer lights on an old car. __________________ you can have your myspace, facebook and twitter I got the hamb.

10-11-2012, 02:01 PM	#20
titus Old School HAMBer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: stillwater mn Posts: 4,199	Re: The Five Freshest Taillights of the 40s 47 ish kiaser taillight, kinda a refined 41-48 chevy taillight, i love em, i put em on the back of my 32 coupe. Attached Thumbnails __________________ who owns this car with the peace sign, mag wheels, and four on the floor?

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