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Lidpainter
Samba Anti-Hero
Joined: January 21, 2004
Posts: 2056
Location: 41.77 | -83.56
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 Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 1:03 pm Post subject: turn signal light bulb color 1960 |
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| I had a question regarding the front signal lights on a '60 Beetle. I know the peanut light lenses are clear but are the bulbs themselves also supposed to be clear? I searched but could not find a definitive answer. |
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VOLKSWAGNUT
Fastest VW Belt Changer
Joined: October 14, 2007
Posts: 11214
Location: Flippin' a Belt........ .... Off-n-On ... NC USA
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Lidpainter
Samba Anti-Hero
Joined: January 21, 2004
Posts: 2056
Location: 41.77 | -83.56
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| Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks very much Sir. |
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AlteWagen
Troll
Joined: February 23, 2007
Posts: 8748
Location: PNW
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VOLKSWAGNUT
Fastest VW Belt Changer
Joined: October 14, 2007
Posts: 11214
Location: Flippin' a Belt........ .... Off-n-On ... NC USA
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| Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:50 am Post subject: |
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| AlteWagen wrote: |
| U.S. DOT did not require an orange turn signal until 63. |
For CARS, The front turn/park lamps can be either clear/white or amber. (dot approved)
It is up to the manufacturer which dot approved color to use..
My total off the hip guess, VW changed to all amber fronts to save money.. That way what they (then) shipped to the US (after 63) was the same as everyone else.
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aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
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AlteWagen
Troll
Joined: February 23, 2007
Posts: 8748
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:56 am Post subject: |
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VW used clear bulbs in all vehicles until the end of production. The amber color is due to the lens itself not the bulb.
DOT regulations in 63 approved red or amber front turn signal use on passenger vehicles as studies found it more affective and improved safety. The new law in which amber was "mandatory" in 1968 allowed a transitional period where vehicles produced between 63-67 could use either white or amber.
For VW 1963 was a transitional period where Type II started using an orange insert in the lens around Aug, I have not been able to pin down the use of orange lens peanut signals but late 63 is my guess as well.
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Helfen
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Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3483
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:21 am Post subject: |
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| AlteWagen wrote: |
VW used clear bulbs in all vehicles until the end of production. The amber color is due to the lens itself not the bulb.
DOT regulations in 63 approved red or amber front turn signal use on passenger vehicles as studies found it more affective and improved safety. The new law in which amber was "mandatory" in 1968 allowed a transitional period where vehicles produced between 63-67 could use either white or amber.
For VW 1963 was a transitional period where Type II started using an orange insert in the lens around Aug, I have not been able to pin down the use of orange lens peanut signals but late 63 is my guess as well. |
"The new law in which amber was "mandatory" in 1968 allowed a transitional period where vehicles produced between 63-67 could use either white or amber."
So did you mean the lens must be amber???
Then explain why my 69 Pontiac and my 76 Olds and my 2001 Nissan and 2013 Nissan have clear lens??? They do have amber bulbs though. I believe the law says either the lens or the bulb. Even my 62 Pontiac has clear ft lens with a amber bulb. |
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AlteWagen
Troll
Joined: February 23, 2007
Posts: 8748
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:38 am Post subject: |
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| Helfen wrote: |
So did you mean the lens must be amber???
Then explain why my 69 Pontiac and my 76 Olds and my 2001 Nissan and 2013 Nissan have clear lens??? They do have amber bulbs though. I believe the law says either the lens or the bulb. Even my 62 Pontiac has clear ft lens with a amber bulb. |
The transitional time came as a result of auto manufacturers complaining that the change was not cost effective for them. While some manufacturers went with an amber lens some used an orange bulb. As long as the signal was not white and was seen as amber it passed the requirement.
I wonder if orange bulbs cost more back in the day and thats why VW made the lense orange to keep maintenance cost down for the consumer.
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VOLKSWAGNUT
Fastest VW Belt Changer
Joined: October 14, 2007
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Location: Flippin' a Belt........ .... Off-n-On ... NC USA
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| Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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| AlteWagen wrote: |
DOT regulations in 63 approved red or amber front turn signal use on passenger vehicles as studies found it more affective and improved safety. The new law in which amber was "mandatory" in 1968 allowed a transitional period where vehicles produced between 63-67 could use either white or amber.
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Hmmm...... No red lamps on the front for passenger cars.. other than emergency vehicles..
And here in NC.. Front turns/parks can only be white/clear/amber.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
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AlteWagen
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glutamodo 
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26634
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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red in front? I don't think so. Clear or Amber only.
I'm not sure when "modern" amber bulbs with yellow glass came around. Back around 1990 I only remember there being 1157NA dual filament - and I wanted amber bulbs under my front clear lenses, so I had to modify 1157NAs. It was much later that I ever saw any 1156 in amber.
However, Looking through my 1964 JC Whitney catalog, when the amber-in-front conversion was in full swing, they did have what looks like single filament 12V bulbs for sale, lots of conversion lenses, plus both brush on and spray-on amber paint to coat lenses or bulbs. I wonder if those 12V bulbs back then were really yellow colored glass or were internally or externally coated.
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AlteWagen
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
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Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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| glutamodo wrote: |
red in front? I don't think so. Clear or Amber only.
I'm not sure when "modern" amber bulbs with yellow glass came around. Back around 1990 I only remember there being 1157NA dual filament - and I wanted amber bulbs under my front clear lenses, so I had to modify 1157NAs. It was much later that I ever saw any 1156 in amber.
However, Looking through my 1964 JC Whitney catalog, when the amber-in-front conversion was in full swing, they did have what looks like single filament 12V bulbs for sale, lots of conversion lenses, plus both brush on and spray-on amber paint to coat lenses or bulbs. I wonder if those 12V bulbs back then were really yellow colored glass or were internally or externally coated.
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Andy, because 62 Pontiac's have a clear lens and are mounted in the slot on the ft bumper they are hard to see, but take a look at a 63 Pontiac Grand Prix....you can see the reflection in the turn signal lamp reflector even when their not on and that is the way they came from the factory;
http://gatewayclassiccars.com/images/carpics/LOU/443/443c.jpg
The part # is a 1157NA the NA denotes amber. The clear bulb is a 1157 |
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glutamodo
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26634
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| Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:16 am Post subject: |
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I have no argument about certain classic cars having clear lenses with amber bulbs behind them. I mean, Whitney was selling amber bulbs, they existed. I wanted to do the same back in 1990 or so for my 62 Bug (and could only find 1157NA bulbs back then, which I had to modify to make work)
My question was more along the lines of how the bulbs were constructed back then - NA I seem to recall was for "natural amber" - that is, the glass itself is amber, and isn't just a yellow coating on the inside or outside of the glass. |
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