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easy e Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2008 Posts: 3930 Location: 1 hr north of Santa Barbara
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 4:47 pm Post subject: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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Most of the tail light lenses I see listed in the classifieds are "SAE STIA 66".
My January 1963 has lenses like the one on the right.
Pics snagged from the classifieds.
Here's one more I noticed... STIA 66 without the DOT.
I wonder when the changes were made?... and if there are any other differences / varieties?
So Far...
1) STIA 61
2) STIA 66
3) STIA 66 with DOT _________________ aka: Evan
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cdennisg Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004 Posts: 20233 Location: Sandpoint, ID
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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Interesting. I might have to check my piles-O-crap to see what the lenses have to say. _________________ nothing |
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EmpiGT Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 2597
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 5:25 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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The number after SAE or STIA is the year the lens was developed. The 61 would coincide with that style being used in 62. So guessing no other modifications done to the lenses until 1966. If that's true all lenses should look like the ones on your 63 until 1966 when the next version came out. Unless there are other versions between the two with "64" or "65" on them. |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69733 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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Thanks for that EmpiGT, I always wondered if the 66 meant it started in 1966.
I can confirm that my 63 and old low miles '64 Bus both had the "61" lenses on them.
I don't know about the DOT vs. no DOT, I had never noticed that.
I would immediately wonder if one of them is Bay Window-era _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
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easy e Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2008 Posts: 3930 Location: 1 hr north of Santa Barbara
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:33 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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Cool... Thanks guys!
Maybe someone with a nice original late ‘67 will say if they have DOT or plain “66.”
More people chiming in at or near the transition points would be appreciated.
So, until further refinement & just throwing rough transition dates in for now...
“61” correct for August 1961 through December 1965
“66” correct for January 1966 - ?
“DOT 66” = ? to July 1972 (and for subsequent dealer replacements, unless old stock distributed) _________________ aka: Evan
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51057 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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DOT 66 is until July 71 (at least on a Feb 71 bay), early Bay's use the same lens, they changed to the big uglies in Aug 71 when the 72 model year started at the factory.
I recall being able to look like a know it all when I was young by first peeking at the dates on the tail light lenses on American cars when someone asked me what year it was, they changed almost every year so the DOT approval would always match the YOM on late 60's and early 70's ones. I suspect the DOT and date was added to make some US bureaucrat happy, can't have some poorly designed lens blinding motorists or too hard to see now can we? (unlike today it seems). _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
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EmpiGT Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 2597
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:32 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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I figure in early 66 or late 65 volkswagen had been informed all cars produced in 1967 had to have reverse lights. So in trying to figure out how to integrate reverse lights they decided then on a separate light and housing. And made a "modified" updated lenses in 1966 even if they weren't modified. But had a newer date to go along with the new regulations. VW probably went ahead and used the new dated lenses before the reverse lights were used. |
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squareweave Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2004 Posts: 448 Location: British Columbia
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:00 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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I have a original December 1966 built, 1967 bus. It has back up lights mounted to the bumper like a beetle has. |
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cdennisg Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004 Posts: 20233 Location: Sandpoint, ID
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:00 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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busdaddy wrote: |
DOT 66 is until July 71 (at least on a Feb 71 bay), early Bay's use the same lens, they changed to the big uglies in Aug 71 when the 72 model year started at the factory.
I recall being able to look like a know it all when I was young by first peeking at the dates on the tail light lenses on American cars when someone asked me what year it was, they changed almost every year so the DOT approval would always match the YOM on late 60's and early 70's ones. I suspect the DOT and date was added to make some US bureaucrat happy, can't have some poorly designed lens blinding motorists or too hard to see now can we? (unlike today it seems). |
My dad taught me that trick when I started hitting local junk yards looking for parts and trying to ID old cars. _________________ nothing |
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62DoKaGuy Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2011 Posts: 1276 Location: Surprise, AZ
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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Glad I’m not the only who notices the little details, Evan. Here’s one of the pair I have stashed away for my ‘62 DC as spares. It’s the same SAE STIA 61.
_________________ ,,Wenige Menschen denken, und doch wollen alle entscheiden.'' -der Alte Fritz
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...I went at it from both ends but going from the rear didn't seem to do anything, although I did spray some rust breaker in there... |
4/62 Double Cab
5/61 Panel (sold)
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easy e Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2008 Posts: 3930 Location: 1 hr north of Santa Barbara
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flemcadiddlehopper Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011 Posts: 2332 Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:35 am Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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Yes, i agree with Busdaddy, the DOT was to satisfy the probably fairly newly formed department of transport. But really it was most likely whining from the American auto building industry to try and stem the flow of import cars coming into North America.
We still do it now, although the sights are aimed more at the used JDM grey market stuff coming in...no DOT stamp on lights, windows and even brake hoses. Government hoops to jump through are endless.
Gordo. _________________ Everybody Dies....Some Never Live.
Retrograde Garage. Vintage Aircooled, and others. |
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easy e Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2008 Posts: 3930 Location: 1 hr north of Santa Barbara
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:56 am Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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DOT founded: April 1, 1967
There would be a little lag time from DOT saying to produce DOT approved (marked) lenses and actual fitment to vehicle. I doubt any DOT lenses were affixed to any of the last three months of 1967 model year buses.
So, any of the DOT lenses are presumably Bay. Maybe we'll get a July 1967 bus owner to confirm. _________________ aka: Evan
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crofty Judas of the North
Joined: August 09, 2000 Posts: 19670 Location: Land of Whine and Phonies
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 8:28 am Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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easy e wrote: |
DOT founded: April 1, 1967
There would be a little lag time from DOT saying to produce DOT approved (marked) lenses and actual fitment to vehicle. I doubt any DOT lenses were affixed to any of the last three months of 1967 model year buses.
So, any of the DOT lenses are presumably Bay. Maybe we'll get a July 1967 bus owner to confirm. |
This makes the most sense to me as 68's were the first to have sidemarker lights too. _________________ Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.
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BarryL Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004 Posts: 14216 Location: Casa de Oro, California
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:49 am Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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Something that intrigued me was the '66 lens usually had this extra stem.
I always thought that the piece was a casting sprue added to help hold the grounding spike but it doesn't even touch anything inside.
Upon closer examination there is an "H" cast into it so it's not a sprue.
My late June '67 Westy tourist delivery purchased-from-original-owner has DOT 1966 lenses but he could have bought new ones although I doubt it. |
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BulliBill Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2004 Posts: 4561 Location: St Charles, MO
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 11:23 am Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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Oh damn! More detail minutia I'll need to check out on my '67 Bus and spare parts! God, I love this shit!
Bill Bowman _________________ I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton
Thanks for any help! |
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easy e Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2008 Posts: 3930 Location: 1 hr north of Santa Barbara
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 12:05 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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Glad to see you’re having a good morning Bill!
Hitest’s banter in the “good deals” thread was epic!
Thanks for adding that BarryL.
Maybe the sprue was a production aid:
high / low point?
vacuum point?
Maybe the “H” is a nozzle tip artifact?... hmmm. Any plastic injection experts out there?
Makes me want to find my lens box! _________________ aka: Evan
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BulliBill Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2004 Posts: 4561 Location: St Charles, MO
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:47 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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Hi Evan!
Okay, I checked my Jan of '67 in the garage and both my lenses are "66" and no DOT.
SWF
LE 95
SAE STIA 66
I've got a box with spare lenses somewhere that now I've got to check out...
Bill _________________ I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton
Thanks for any help! |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51057 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 6:15 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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BarryL wrote: |
I always thought that the piece was a casting sprue added to help hold the grounding spike but it doesn't even touch anything inside. |
I'll bet it's to make installing it upside down almost impossible for all but the most exceptionally talented morons, probably more DOT rules brought that on. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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easy e Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2008 Posts: 3930 Location: 1 hr north of Santa Barbara
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Various 1962 - 1967 "Canned Ham" Tail Light Lens Lenses |
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busdaddy wrote: |
BarryL wrote: |
I always thought that the piece was a casting sprue added to help hold the grounding spike but it doesn't even touch anything inside. |
I'll bet it's to make installing it upside down almost impossible for all but the most exceptionally talented morons, probably more DOT rules brought that on. |
Haha... could be... for the dingbats that can't comprehend TOP or OBEN. Build to suit the lowest common denominator. _________________ aka: Evan
Spreadsheet for Bus RPM, based on gearing & tire size (Excel format)
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