TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bubble taillights, flat taillights, and reflectors

Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:32 pm

Bubble taillight = USA Bus with no semaphores.
Flat taillights - European-style Bus with semaphores.

Bubble taillights also use reflectors underneath the taillights.

Bubble taillights are dual-filament to run the running lights and turn signals in the rear.
Flat taillights are single filament to run only the rear running lights.

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1955-57 USA Buses used single filament taillights.
They are referred to as "bubble" taillights because of the shape.
They were used March, 1955 to March, 1957.
End of bubble taillights in April, 1957:

There are 2 styles according to the user campingbox:
The double filament bubble taillights with the SBL17 markings do not have the VW & Hella engravings in the bezel. The double filament taillights with the engravings on the bezel only read "Hella" on the lens.

USA-style dual filament bubble taillights:

Hella only

European single filament flat taillights:

Location of taillight holes:
dropgates.com wrote: 1952=>mid 57
Specs: From the top of bed lip to the top of the hole is approx 6 1/2"
From the corner edge at the engine lid to the edge of the hole is approx 1 3/4"
The hole is 2 7/16" from side to side

Reflectors
Kommercial wrote: My 56 standard measures 75mm from the center of the reflector hole to the decklid hole edge on the drivers side. The passenger side measurement is 78 mm.
My 55 barndoor is the same, 75 and 78.

Diagram from later in this thread:

Original post below
==============================
Just a curious question regarding tail lights. Recently aquired a 56 Kombi
with the flat tail lights but I have seen other Kombis of the same year with
the " Bubble style" tail lights, which I happen to think look pretty cool.
I will restore this Bus to it's original state in every way possible and would
like to use this style of tail light. which are correct? Also, what's up with the multiple tail light setup's ? :-k

Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:42 pm

So, technically I should run the Bubbles only? Are they the same fit ?

Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:43 pm

svserrano wrote: So, technically I should run the Bubbles only? Are they the same fit ?

If your bus doesn't have semiphores you'll need the two terminal brakelights to wire the bus up correctly.

Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:48 pm

Key information, I appreciate it!

Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:53 pm

What is the correct location for the reflectors? Does it matter?

Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:25 pm

isn't it like- 3 5/8" from center line of taillight to center line of reflector?

(edited measurement)

Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:25 pm

The reflectors are mounted through small, square holes.

Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:34 pm

EverettB wrote: The reflectors are mounted through small, square holes.

AND, don't forget, they are NOT symmetrically mounted on the back of the Bus. They are actually slightly offcenter if you draw an imaginary verticle line through the taillights, then you can see it. I'll try and find a pic of a original Bubble Taillight Bus to show you what I'm talking about.

Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:42 pm

Here's a pretty good example on an original paint Kombi. If you look closely you can see that the taillights are symmetrical on both sides of the Bus. Then, if you draw an imaginary verticle line through them you can see that the drivers side reflector is slightly towards the decklid and the passengers side reflector is slightly outward of the taillight. It's very minor but that's the way they were made!

Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:53 pm

BUCIOBATISTI wrote: Here's a pretty good example on an original paint Kombi. If you look closely you can see that the taillights are symmetrical on both sides of the Bus. Then, if you draw an imaginary verticle line through them you can see that the drivers side reflector is slightly towards the decklid and the passengers side reflector is slightly outward of the taillight. It's very minor but that's the way they were made!

Interesting.....news to me.

Were barndoors the same way and if so, were the ones originaly exported to countries which drive on the opposite side of the road different?

Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:22 pm

Greg- You're kidding me, right? I swear I thought you knew that too, especially considering that you used to own my old '57 Standard!
I have discussed the "side justification" issue with a few people before and never came to a conclusion. It seems to make sense that it might have been a certain side specific for traffic on the roads but I have no evidence to say if that is true or not.

Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:24 pm

another example that you ought to be familiar with, Greg...

Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:28 pm

I can't see it.

I looked at my '54 LHD Truck and the right side of each square reflector hole lines up with the midline of the taillight hole. This sounds like the reverse of what you said above.

I never knew that.

Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:11 pm

EverettB wrote: I can't see it.

I looked at my '54 LHD Truck and the right side of each square reflector hole lines up with the midline of the taillight hole. This sounds like the reverse of what you said above.

I never knew that.

Everett- I absolutely don't know if it applies to Barndoors. I have only noticed it in March 1955-March 1957 Bubble Taillight US Spec Buses and Trucks. If you see them in person, it is definitely more noticeable. I'll try and find another pic that might make it a little more clear.

Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:15 pm

Here's a perfect example on an original paint Kombi...

If you look very closely and blow the pic up to full-size you can clearly see that the left reflector is just towards the decklid from the midpoint of the taillight and the right reflector is just outward (towards the outer edge of the Bus) from the midpoint of the right taillight. See it now?

Thu Jul 06, 2006 3:21 am

BUCIOBATISTI wrote: another example that you ought to be familiar with, Greg...

it looks like the drivers side is slightly higher also? is this correct? and how the hell do you drill a square hole?

Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:14 am

BUCIOBATISTI wrote: Here's a perfect example on an original paint Kombi...

If you look very closely and blow the pic up to full-size you can clearly see that the left reflector is just towards the decklid from the midpoint of the taillight and the right reflector is just outward (towards the outer edge of the Bus) from the midpoint of the right taillight. See it now?
Yes, I see it in that photo.

So Barndoors, at least my '54, go to the left instead of the right. Weird.

Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:20 am

EverettB wrote: BUCIOBATISTI wrote: Here's a perfect example on an original paint Kombi...

If you look very closely and blow the pic up to full-size you can clearly see that the left reflector is just towards the decklid from the midpoint of the taillight and the right reflector is just outward (towards the outer edge of the Bus) from the midpoint of the right taillight. See it now?
Yes, I see it in that photo.

So Barndoors, at least my '54, go to the left instead of the right. Weird.

this hamemr picture is ironic...based on what happened to that poor bus.

Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:45 am

maybe it's my eyes- but i don't see the shift in horizontal mounting-

Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:57 am

mynameismud wrote: maybe it's my eyes- but i don't see the shift in horizontal mounting-

The taillight holes on the above bus were repaired.
The reflector holes were original and from what I remember, the upper round area of the bubble was unmolested so they *should* be in the right location.