VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1931 1932 taillight?

I'm looking through parts & notice I have 2 different tail light that could be 1931 1932. 2 have a round area where it would shine on the license. The other would've had a rectangular lens shining on the license, What's what? They are both GM...not aftermarket...Thanks, Joe

The 31 and 32 taillights are the same with a round hole for the bulb in the bottom to illiminate the license plate. Don't know what you have with the rectangular hole, but perhaps a picture would help.

Well...at least I have 2 for the delivery. That's what was the most important...thanks, Joe

The other tail light with the rectangular lens could be a 1929/1930 tail light. Yep, a photo would definitely help.

OK. I determined the other tail light was a non GM replacement. The other 2 I have are GM & steel & were never chromed.

Next question, is the tail light supposed to be all chrome for a 1931 sedan delivery or should it be all black or black bucket with chrome ring like the head lights. Once again the parts book doesn't say...even Feb 1931.
Thanks, Joe

Joe , the 1932 parts book lists 2 1931 to 1932 tail lights , however one is for the RH fender as an assembly (363367) and the other is tail and stop lamp 363149. Nothing mentioned about Chromium plate in this part book except for the Rim tail and stop light-Chrome Finish 913825 .

I checked also in the commercial section and there is nothing in there.
The 1931 sales brochure lists the tail light as chromium finished for Passenger cars.

hi Jack
That's what I read also but if you look in the Pictorial History of Chevrolet every tail light you see from 1931 or 1932 is chrome. The one picture I want to see is not clear enough to make a call on & that's the view of the 1931 sedan delivery.
Chipper will probably know the answer for this
Thanks, Joe

The '31 Passenger cars all had chromed brass tail lights. The trucks had a painted black steel buckets. The illustrations I have for the Sedan Delivery are not clear enough to tell for sure.

My logic tells me that since the SD uses the same tail light bracket as the passenger models, is vary visible and is used primarily for small retail businesses purposes (florists, grocery stores, cleaners, etc.) it would have a chrome tail light. Even though the other panel type trucks were also for business purposes the tail light was not a prominent object so black would be okay for them.

Chipper
Thanks for your responce. I looked at the picture I had Bill Barker post on the 1931Chevrolet.com & although you can't make it out there, I have the original that I will get scanned & send you a copy. Who would have the picture from the pictorial history book?
Thanks, Joe

Did you get the care package?

The 1929-1950 parts book lists 1931 to 1933 AE BA prt number 363149 for pass and SDL on BB , CB.
and then 1931 to 1939 AE,LT , BB,M ...... (RDL, SDL on AE , ex SDL on BB ... part number 916642 .

So i wonder why we cant find that part number in the 1931 and 1932 parts book.

You are always better off to use a parts book for the year of your vehicle. In newer books they sometimes have a part for a newer car that will fit an older one and sometimes part numbers change or are dropped.

Yes, that is a good and valid point. Both Joe and i checked the 1931 and then the 1932 parts books. Joe was also asking about his other tail light which has the rectangular licence plate lense, so that would probably be the second part listed in the 29-50 parts book.

So what year does the bucket with rectangular lens go to? I have these on both of my '33s unfortunately

The tail light buckets for 1933---1935 with the rectangular license plate bulb glass are aftermarket suppliers.

I have seen them with the name DO-RAY stamped into them and also I have one with KYLITE stamped into it.

mike lynch

I have not bothered looking at a parts book, which is where I would start, but I do have the only original 1932 Sedan Delivery color brochure I have ever seen. It clearly displays a chrome tail light bucket. Also, I recently purchased and original, unrestored, 32 Sedan Delivery. It has a chrome tail light bucket.

I also have a '32 Sedan Delivery color brochure and I know other '32 dudes that have the 1932 Sedan Delivery color brochure as well. And, I have seen the brochures for sale on eBay and for sale by various literature dealers.

Did you purchase an early 1932 Sedan Delivery or mid-year 1932 Sedan Delivery?

Early would be a 31570 & mid year would be a 32570...Joe

Were the 31,32 taillight lens glass? A few years ago one of our club members who owned a 32 roadster passed away. After the roadster was sold I was asked to dispose of the extra parts. Among the parts were several thin 31,32 plastic or celuloid lens. Were they replacement lens?

The correct lens was celuloid, celuloid was used 23(about) to 32. 33 was the first year for glass.

The one I purchased was a mid year. I have not spoke to other SD owners. The only contact I had with another 32 SD owner was was with the late Bill Barlage. I most certainly want to correspond with SD owners as I am anxious to increase my knowledge.

Roadster32
If you want other sd owner to contact you you'll need to answer that was directed at you. Is you 1932 sd a job number 31570 or 32570? We hare can increase your knowledge but we need to know what you have, Having a 1932 sedan delivery is not so straight forward......Joe

His Sedan Delivery is a 32570.

Mine is a 32570. I don't know how to load photos in the chat response or I would provide a photo of the cowl tag.

I found maybe seven other SD's in the membership directory. Have not contacted any as yet. But I will soon. Other than Steve K.

Ron Leventon, the 1934 Master tech, purchased a fairly nice one about a year ago. The problem with looking through the members roster is not everybody call their vehicle by the proper name. I've seen sedan deliveries as panel truck, panel van. I know one one member that owns a early 32 that calls his a window van because the ad panels have been removed for windows. We would like to see your sedan delivery & I would like to have the information from the Fisher body tag, the serial number plate, & the engine casting date for a project I'm doing. If you would send it in a PM please. Thanks, Joe

Im very familiar with all the points you made. Thanks for your help.