When I had my 53 Olds years ago I started adding all those trunk,underhood,glove box and parking brake warning lights and it looks like I am at it again with my 55 Sunliner. Back when I had the Olds I was getting NOS lights dirt cheap and wish now I would have gotten everyone I could find since those lights for my 55 Sunliner are expensive and that includes used parts. Added a NOS 60s trunk light in the 55 yesterday and now looking to find a old looking underhood light,I put a mid 60s Lincoln glove box light in a couple years ago since a used original was going for around 200 and I got the Lincoln light for 5 dollars. It looks like its going to be a trip to the junkyard saturday to see what I can find that looks old and I think 80s and older GMs have a metal light,the trunk light was a NOS part I got for 10 dollars and seen one on that auction site for over 200 but too late now.
I was not going to add all that stuff to this car but since I do take it on long trips after dark those lights are needed,I never did take that 53 Olds on trips at night and the only reason I put them on was I could and the parts were very cheap.
I’ve used these over the years, mainly where I could hide them. Price is right. I’ve also seen them with a full lense. The link won’t work, but try ROUND SNAP-IN LICENSE/UTILITY LIGHT in a search
My Dad got a trunk light off of some kind of Pontiac back in the 60’s. It also doubled as a trouble light, the cord would reach from the trunk to under the hood. The cord rolled up on a spool in the base which was magnetic. Also had a mercury switch in it, when the trunk closed so far it would cut off, had a manual switch to override that. I’ve never seen another like it. I guess he left it in the car when he traded it off.
Here you on the lights, I experimented with L E D once, First time I hit the lights going down the Road, I thought I was ridin in Freaking Light House. Damn Wind Shield looked like a Mirror, I road home in the Dark with Moon Light.
I might look into one of those GM lights that also work as a trouble light if there is a place to mount it under the hood,I was going to use one of those simple and small lights that mount on the hood for now. I usually bring a flash light along on trips but its a black Mag light and its hard to find in a dark trunk but the trunk light will help finding it if the need arises.
Not mine, but just saw this. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/123403662571
My '92 Chevy pickup has one of those wind-up under hood lights. I imagine that many GM vehicles have them. This information is for just in case you want to look in boneyards for one. I bought one at a swap meet that I'll be putting in Clarence (see my avatar).
I refuse to get into any of the manufacturer preference arguments; I like 'em all. That being said, I call them convenience lights. I believe that the only times I've ever used mine was to help someone along the highway change a flat tire after dark. Now back to the original subject please.
I think there might be one of those 50s/60s GM underhood/trouble lights around here somewhere,I remember my dad getting one and I know I did not do anything with it but it would be quicker to get another since it might take me a month to find it.
The 'Reely' light! My bud Allen had one underhood on his '58 Chev Apache 10? pickup. I built a nice 292 for it (.060" over 283) 10:1 pistons, Corvette cam/solids, and a '57 'Vette 2 X 4 with WCFBs. Allen was 'worried' about his non-stock engine stranding him somewhere at night, but it never did. I don't think he ever had the 'Reely' uncoiled, but did light it at the drive-in to show off that pretty engine... 1960 was a "Corvette Engine Year..."
I had an accessory light under my F100 dash, connected to the door switches. (door buttons were also hooked to a 3 way toggle that got switched to my Caddy horn: Great burglar alarm!) On my cool '48 Cad, I had lights under the wheel well flares, showed off the 'Bitchin' '56 Olds Starfire covers...and a switch for a pair of bright 1034 bulbs I could flip after I passed onlookers, under the rear bumper that lit up the detailed white and pinstriped rear axle housing and leaf springs...1034s and sockets came out of a '55 Ford, they were the taillight sockets, wired together...Very bright! Just shone under the car, in the concave of the bumper. Got a ticket for the fender lamps, a 'new local ordinance'. 1959, Pre-Silicon Valley.
I found a under hood light that looks old,its off a 90s truck and much cheaper then a original or reproduction. I have seen reproduction under hood lights going for over 40 dollars and grabbed six at the pull and pay for 2 dollars each,got three for me and three for a friend that came along. I am done adding lights on this car
Its installed and I am done with the lights,we now take these lights for granted but they were optional back then.
You should see the one in the garage... headlight in a bracket, with a long cord and a lighter plug. 6 volt no less. Father in law told me a few years ago it was for his 40s Olds convertible. Apparently it liked to have underhood issues at night. Knowing him, no coolant and low on oil...
I saved one of those underhood trouble lights from a '93 Olds Cutlass I junked after the transmission went out on it. Figured I would eventually use it on something, probably my '55 Ford.
I have a couple of hand held spot lights and my dad had one in the 55 for years but its 6 volts and the car is now 12 volts,I am going to see if I can get 12 volt bulbs for them one of these days.
I have an older one that I use as back up lighting for my OT 4wd. Oval lens, takes 2 H3 style bulbs. I “think” he used it in the 1946 ChrisCraft style cabin cruiser turned shrimp boat... I know, shudder ever time I think about it. Boat got Katrina-fied. Trying to figure out where/how to use the dash plate, running lights and a few other pieces the old guy salvaged. Of course he got “a whole $100” for the 455 Olds that was in it at the time... pickers should be taken out and shot, robbed him blind.
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