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Appleton dummy spots by layman

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by 1954fordkustom, Mar 27, 2015.

  1. 1954fordkustom
    Joined: Jun 14, 2010
    Posts: 692

    1954fordkustom
    Member

    I came across these. They look to be designed after the appleton 112s. I'm pretty sure these where made by a company name layman . I'm thinking about investing in tooling to remake them. Just wanted some feedback . These aren't you typical cheap dummy spots. ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1427513126.089913.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1427513139.973332.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1427513148.273040.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2015
  2. 57JoeFoMoPar
    Joined: Sep 14, 2004
    Posts: 6,138

    57JoeFoMoPar
    Member

    You want feedback? They're beautiful.
     
  3. The G00SE
    Joined: Nov 9, 2011
    Posts: 152

    The G00SE
    Member

    I agree beautiful!
     
  4. 1954fordkustom
    Joined: Jun 14, 2010
    Posts: 692

    1954fordkustom
    Member

    Everyone keeps telling me speedway makes them. If you look closely they are completely different. They also have a spring loaded button to allow for adjustment. Does anyone have anymore info on these?
     

  5. 1954fordkustom
    Joined: Jun 14, 2010
    Posts: 692

    1954fordkustom
    Member

    I know layman was the king of spotlights back in the day
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2015
  6. They were called Kustom Kraft, push button 12 positions. high quality.
    They show up on ebay every now and then.
    They were available from Night Prowlers and other custom accessories vendors, may still be available.

    Mick
     
  7. 1954fordkustom
    Joined: Jun 14, 2010
    Posts: 692

    1954fordkustom
    Member

    Mick thank you for the reply. Iv been researching for a few hours and haven't come across anyone making them. They look well made and very beautiful.
     
  8. 4woody
    Joined: Sep 4, 2002
    Posts: 2,110

    4woody
    Member

    I don't know, but I've been looking for fog lights with a similar shape bucket. Those are very nice.
     
  9. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    Mick is correct-Bill Layman of Kustom Kraft. He sold them over to another guy who doesn't have them in production. They're beautiful because they're Appleton replica buckets not the ho-hum shaped Cal Custom style dummy spots that are everywhere. I've always wanted to pick up a pr. but they go for a pretty penny when a set comes up as they're currently out of production.

    Read more here;

    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/kustom-kraft-spot-lights.808701/
     
  10. 1954fordkustom
    Joined: Jun 14, 2010
    Posts: 692

    1954fordkustom
    Member

    If I can figure out how the button works internally. I will be making these. Hell I might even do them out of stainless
     
  11. Ltorch
    Joined: Jun 8, 2009
    Posts: 349

    Ltorch
    Member

    King of dice use to make/sell them but no longer ..will be great seller if you make them .
     
  12. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    I agree they'd be popular. Original Appleton's are so seldom seen that they could become mainstream again. And with that comes a few pissed off owners of Customs with original spots because 'everyone' will seem to be running them.

    How huge of a press would you need to deep draw stamp them-especially out of stainless?
     
  13. 1954fordkustom
    Joined: Jun 14, 2010
    Posts: 692

    1954fordkustom
    Member

    Hot rods ya hell I agree. Although these where donated to me by some well known customizers so I can make them. Maybe I'll just do a short run and keep it small
     
  14. john worden
    Joined: Nov 14, 2007
    Posts: 1,827

    john worden
    Member
    from iowa

    Might be cost effective to have the buckets spun. Drawing that deep will be costly. I prefer chrome instead of SS for spots.
     
  15. HotRodDean
    Joined: Jan 11, 2007
    Posts: 249

    HotRodDean
    Member

    I'd be interested in a pair, if you did decide to make them...
     
  16. Andreas Stremitzer
    Joined: Feb 28, 2015
    Posts: 22

    Andreas Stremitzer
    Member

  17. Buddy Palumbo
    Joined: Mar 30, 2008
    Posts: 3,871

    Buddy Palumbo
    Member

    Very cool spots !
     
    buickvalvenut likes this.
  18. Andreas, they're the same Kustom Kraft lights 1954fordcustom was talking about. $300.00 is about right, try pricing a set of 112 Appletons even with the handles cut off.

    Mick
     
  19. buickvalvenut
    Joined: Oct 29, 2008
    Posts: 660

    buickvalvenut
    Member
    from Rialto

    Appleton 112 complete set with needed work including chrome go for bout 800 to 1000. The 552s go for twice as much, even more at times.
     
  20. suedestude
    Joined: Feb 15, 2004
    Posts: 106

    suedestude
    Member

    hell yes id be interested in a pair if they come up for sale. Iam building a chopped 39 LaSalle and it needs a set.
     
  21. Andreas Stremitzer
    Joined: Feb 28, 2015
    Posts: 22

    Andreas Stremitzer
    Member

    I just tried to order a set from Kool Rides. But after getting the order confirmation I got this message from them:
    "Sorry but this product is not available at this time because of quality issues. Please consider the order cancelled."
    So if their will be a future source I will buy one as well.

    Andy
     
  22. 1954fordkustom
    Joined: Jun 14, 2010
    Posts: 692

    1954fordkustom
    Member

    Andy I contacted them to and had no luck . I talked to rik hoving and a few others about making these and everyone is asking me to do it some no one has them. Stay tuned guys I'm going to try and make it happen.
     
  23. chopolds
    Joined: Oct 22, 2001
    Posts: 6,208

    chopolds
    Member
    from howell, nj
    1. Kustom Painters

    Toward the end of Bill doing his production run of them, he even made them with handles. I don't know if they actually lit up, but the looked just right.
    I bought a set for my 55 Olds back in the 80's, when they first came out. they cost about 250 back then even though you could get the little Cals for about 30$. They were worth it! WAY higher quality, genie Appleton looks, and the size looked right on most 50's cars, not like the tiny ones.
    BTW, Bill owned a very nice "almost clone" of the Moonglow 54 Chevy, and restored/owned the Merc that starred with the Hirohata, in "Running Wild". Just remembered...the "Fred Rowe" merc.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2015
    grifcarnut likes this.
  24. texasred
    Joined: Dec 3, 2008
    Posts: 1,202

    texasred
    Member
    from Houston

    ^X2^
     
  25. 54hotrodder
    Joined: Nov 20, 2011
    Posts: 669

    54hotrodder
    Member

    If you would happen to make these. I will buy 2 sets from you for sure. I sure hope these come up on the market again. I have a real set of appleton 112's but i was very lucky to score them up dirt cheap. I am wanting to run these on my 50 chev.
     
  26. Devin
    Joined: Dec 28, 2004
    Posts: 2,369

    Devin
    Member
    from Napa, CA

    There's a pair on eBay right now. Big$$$ for dummy spots but they look nice.
     
  27. 54hotrodder
    Joined: Nov 20, 2011
    Posts: 669

    54hotrodder
    Member

    I seen those. I would preffer brand new ones. Like i said 3 of my cars need a set.
     
  28. Pinstriper40
    Joined: Sep 24, 2007
    Posts: 3,602

    Pinstriper40
    Member

    I'm in for a pair or two if they're in the $300-400 range.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2015
  29. 54hotrodder
    Joined: Nov 20, 2011
    Posts: 669

    54hotrodder
    Member

    300-400 is alot better than 1200-2500+ so id be buyin left and right.
     
  30. a990hemi
    Joined: Sep 3, 2009
    Posts: 174

    a990hemi
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    King Of Dice purchased the original Kustom Kraft tooling from Bill Layman and used it to continue manufacturing these beautiful dummy spots. I last spoke with the King Of Dice about 2 years ago when he informed me that he had shipped the original tooling to China for manufacturing consideration. His Chinese manufacturer was claiming to have never received the tooling and holding out on him. I was fortunate to have scored 2 complete original Kustom Kraft pairs from evil bay not long ago.
     
    ne'erdowell likes this.

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