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Soljer is looking for an S2. Sorry Soljer, I didn't want to cover you up with my post but owing to the difference in information sought, it seemed better this way than to add to yours.

Anyway, I would like to know the year model cars that different number Guide Spotlights were correct for.

S1 is for what years

S2 is for what years

S3 is for what years, and so on.

I have an S3 with the ball (handle) and it appears to be correct but don't know for sure. I hope its for a 41. If not it's going to be for sale or swap.

Ray, Chipper, Gene, P.K., Brewster, MrMack, JD and others can probably provide this advice. Or, bits and pieces of it, at least.

Thanks in advance,
Charlie

I beleive the S2 is for mid 50's and later

Thanx 41specialdeluxe

I believe,

S-1 is for 1937-1939

S-2 is 1940 only

S-3 is 1941 only

Soljer,

I'm surprised that you appear to be the only one who knows this information. Or, were the only one who'd take the time to respond. Whatever.

Thank you for your response,

Charlie

BTW: I hope you find an S-2 soon.

I would also be interested in where you got your info...The Unity light was used on GM's for many years as well and what years was this the case?

I do believe that these early units were Unity not Guide

The early 1930's "Sportlights" were made by Unity.

As I can see the early 40's lights were also made by unity

Thanks Charlie, me too

i have some GM spotlights with the tag marked with an "S" only
and some marked GM SAFTY LIGHT with just a patent nos.
then 4 patent numbers under it.
anyone have more info on these? these are the GM brand NOT the unity lights.

I just acquired a wreck of a'46 Fleetline Aerosedan, which has what APPEARS to be an original spot light with it. It indicates it is made by Unity, and also has the GM logo on it. See below.

Where do I look for the S-1, S-2, whatever? I'd be glad to tell you what I see on it. And are replacement bulbs available for these? This one is dead. It is probably called a 5" spot, which is the amount of bulb face glass that is visible when it is assembled.

The S-? number is in the words on top of the spotlight shell just behind the GM crest. I have an accessory spotlight that I picked up and was going to put on my '46 Woodie, but have decided to not put it on. This spotlight has an S-5 on it. I am not totally sure if it is the correct S number. I do have an original that came off a '46 sedan that's in about the same condition of yours above. Unfortunately or fortunately we are in the South for the winter so can't check the number until we get home.

Alan

FYI Guide was a division of GM,Unity only a contractor,correct Gene?
I beleive Unity used many different crests to identify the makes of cars they were installed on
Unity is still in business

Finally remembered to look! My spotlight (pictured above) is a Unity Model S-5, as found on my '46 Aerosedan.

Needs lots of restoration.Take it fully apart and assure the inureds are still operational before concidering restoration..There could be a big price tag

I wish I knew more about these as well. Does anyone know which number is correct for '50 and '51?

The above discussion is about a 1946 Unity lamps. In 1949 Chevrolet switched to the (GM) Guide brand lamp. The Guide lamp was the same from 1949-1952 except for the color of the plastic handle which was colorkeyed to the dash knob color. Also it had a mirror on the back, a sealed beam unit and the bulb (built-in) had a metal cap with GM on it.
All the GM cars used that smae lamp but the shaft that went through the door was different lengths and knobs different colors.

safety light is for 37-38
s-1 is for 39 round handle in brown color
s-2 is for 40 " " "
s-3 is for 41 round handle in white color
s18 guide is for 49-52 with the white handle
s-18 guide with the black handle is for 53-54

Good information
digging through my box of spotlights, i did find an odd ball, it`s an S-1 GM on the brass tag, but a white ball knob.
not the brown color that the rest
looks like a mish-mash of spot light parts.