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svserrano
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2005
Posts: 10
Location: SoCal
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 Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:32 pm Post subject: Bubble taillights, flat taillights, and reflectors |
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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
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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 ?  |
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svserrano
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2005
Posts: 10
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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| So, technically I should run the Bubbles only? Are they the same fit ? |
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campingbox 
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2000
Posts: 10249
Location: Petaluma, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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svserrano
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2005
Posts: 10
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Key information, I appreciate it! |
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svserrano
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2005
Posts: 10
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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| What is the correct location for the reflectors? Does it matter? |
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mynameismud
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Joined: October 23, 2002
Posts: 5937
Location: Middle of a corn field
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:25 pm Post subject: |
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isn't it like- 3 5/8" from center line of taillight to center line of reflector?
(edited measurement)
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EverettB
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Joined: April 11, 2000
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BUCIOBATISTI
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Joined: April 17, 2002
Posts: 6969
Location: San Diego, California, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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| 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.
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BUCIOBATISTI
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Joined: April 17, 2002
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Location: San Diego, California, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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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!
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campingbox
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2000
Posts: 10249
Location: Petaluma, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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| 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!
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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? |
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BUCIOBATISTI
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Joined: April 17, 2002
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Location: San Diego, California, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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BUCIOBATISTI
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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another example that you ought to be familiar with, Greg...
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EverettB
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BUCIOBATISTI
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Joined: April 17, 2002
Posts: 6969
Location: San Diego, California, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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| 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.
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BUCIOBATISTI
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Joined: April 17, 2002
Posts: 6969
Location: San Diego, California, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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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?
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mynameismud
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Joined: October 23, 2002
Posts: 5937
Location: Middle of a corn field
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 3:21 am Post subject: |
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| BUCIOBATISTI wrote: |
another example that you ought to be familiar with, Greg...
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it looks like the drivers side is slightly higher also? is this correct? and how the hell do you drill a square hole?
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EverettB
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:14 am Post subject: |
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| 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.
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doveblue3
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Joined: March 28, 2003
Posts: 1821
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:20 am Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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mynameismud
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Joined: October 23, 2002
Posts: 5937
Location: Middle of a corn field
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:45 am Post subject: |
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maybe it's my eyes- but i don't see the shift in horizontal mounting-
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campingbox
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Joined: November 14, 2000
Posts: 10249
Location: Petaluma, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:57 am Post subject: |
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| mynameismud wrote: |
maybe it's my eyes- but i don't see the shift in horizontal mounting-
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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. |
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