VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1928 Tail Light Lens

Anybody know if the original celluloid lenses with "STOP" are available anywhere? I have the remains of one in poor condition. I went to great pains to scan the upper section of it for those who haven't seen one.



I know they are available in vanilla celluloid (without "STOP" or bowtie). Perhaps I could stensil it out and paint it?

Thanks,
-R

Hi RustyFender,

Excellent subject. I just finished a project of cutting out new horn discs by laser cutting. Results are astounding.

Was considering tackling the subject you just entered. Would there be a market for a thin laser cut template to install behind the glass lens that are readily available? I have a NOS taillight to use as a pattern.

Hi AntiqueMechanic,
It is my opinion that the more common glass replacement lens would not be a good candidate for this because of its refractive properties in the upper section. I placed my old STOP lens behind a glass one and shined a flashlight through it. The result was very blury and did not look right. I don't know what the best solution would be but a correct lens certainly has appeal among the 28-30 Chevy owners I have spoken with.

Thanks,
-R

It's always nice to have an original part and if you're looking for authenticity, then celluloid is the only way to go.

Yesterday I attended a Swap Meet in Kalamazoo, MI. Vendor Dick Moffitt had a Repro Celluloid tail lamp lens for the '25 - '30 vintage tail lamp unit on display for $65.00. The lens was pretty close to the original in appearance but also had some short comings. The upper stop light section had a flat rough texture surface and was not fluted like the picture RustyFender posted above. The "STOP" was missing in that area as well. The Chevrolet BowTie Decal in the tail light portion appeared correct in size and detail except the background color was black and not blue as the originals were. Also the decal didn't allow light to pass through as dose the original decal.

I have what I believe to be an original celluloid lens in my '28 Roadster and a second unit on the shelf awaiting installation on my Sport Cabriolet. Over the years I've shown my '27 and '28 using either a glass lens or one of the celluloid units mentioned. Never has a judge deducted points for the use of the glass lens when installed. Kind of makes you wonder dosen't it?

Just a thought! Occasioinally at Swap Meets I'll run across celluloid lenses that are identical in size and form to the '25 - '30 Chevrolet units except they are marked "StarSix". From time to time I'll see the '24 -'25 vintage round celluloid lens at swap meets and I buy them when the price is right. I've had this idea that you could cut the upper "Stop" portion from the "StarSix lens and super glue it to the '24 -'25 round lens and if done correctly the joint between the two is placed under the center rib section of the lens frame where it should not be noticable. There was a vendor at last years Mid West Meet in Janesville, Wisconsin that had a dozen or so of the "StarSix" celluloid lenses for sale.

The key to longevity for celluloid tail lamp lenses is not to use larger candle power bulbs than what was originally intended or to allow the stop light to remain on for long periods of time. They don't like heat. I believe the original candle power bulbs were 3 at the tail lamp and 15 at the stop lamp areas.

Also......the 1925 to 1929 lens is not the same as 1930. The 1930 lens did not have "Stop" on the top portion of the lens. Instead the lens had an embossed round dome in this area. The lens for 1930 is a one year only lens.

Good information JYD. I learned something today as a result of this thread. I've seen the domed lenses, but didn't know their true usage. In fact, I have a used one in my collection that has the traditional brittle burn thru section at the dome area. Love this site!

Hey Oldie, you are so right about these sights! Also, in my earlier posting I failed to mention that when the 1930 lens was released into service, the 1925-29 lens was discontinued and the 1930 lens was now retrofitted in the parts book all the way back to 1925. :eek: :eek: :eek:

I have a few original celuloid lenses and have seen a nos tail light complete in it's original Chevrolet box, however I have never seen one with the word stop in it.
Was the stop in the celuloid?
I have 2 different pieces of metal with the word stop cut around so as the light will pass around the word, both of these will fit behind the celluloid lens, could this have been the way the stop was used in the lens?
I also have an original 25 taillight with a celuloid lens, however the Chevrolet bow tie has the word faded off which only leaves a yellow bow tie.
I also have a nos 31/32 tail light complete with it's original celuloid lens.

Whilst on the subject of tail lights, I have 2 on the back of my 28 coach as I live on a freeway and having 2 tail lights is a safety bonus.
My 28 tourer came originally with a luggage rack with the tail light offset to one side, I copied the bracket when I made made both of the new ones for the coach.

The 2 tail light bodies are unusual in themselves, in that they do not have the slightly rounded edges (for the celuloid lens to sit) that most have. They have straight edges with a small shelf inside approximately 1/8 inch below the where the rim sits, this allows the aftermarket glass lens to sit in the tail light body and not on the body as the celuloid one does, making for a far better fit. I prefer the glass lenses as they have built in reflectors which is also a bonus.

Does anybody else know of these differnt bodies, from outside with the rim on, they are identical to the others?
Chris

The "Stop" was part of the lens.