lump Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 This interesting old tail lamp assembly showed up at a local flea market recently. It is very large, and appears to be for the left rear fender. The housing is cast aluminum or zinc, and features the letters "GMC" on the bottom, along with a 6-digit number, which is "058647." I ASSUME it is for a large truck or bus, from the late 1930's or somewhere in the 1940's, due to the large size and shape. (I put my hands in the photo to give you a size reference.) I also ASSUME it is for a GMC vehicle, for obvious reasons. But a Google search of the number yielded nothing, and I can find no lamps like this in photos of GMC vehicles (so far). It looks like it would take a lens of about 4.25 inches. Overall length is nearly 8 inches. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 Well, at least I feel a bit better about not being able to ID this light myself. Doesn't anyone have a clue on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 maybe a chevy suburban 50s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted October 5, 2016 Author Share Posted October 5, 2016 I really appreciate all of you whom have been looking at this tail lamp assy. I can see lots of people have viewed. Frankly, I didn't suspect it would be this tough. Indeed, when I first saw it, I ASSUMED the "GMC" and raised number on the bottom side of the stand would make for instant ID. Silly me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 Well, I guess I am out of luck on this one. I really ASSUMED that this would be an easy one. Nobody had any idea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Let me bump this back to the top, in case anyone might be able to help me identify this tail lamp assembly. One thing I regret about the photos I took is that they don't adequately show how the pedestal portion of this cast aluminum housing is distinctly offset, making this a left-side lamp, for sure. Any help MUCH appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Looks a lot like the rear lights on 39 Chevy Master Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Al Brass Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 '39 Chevy tailights are pressed, not cast. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted March 13, 2017 Author Share Posted March 13, 2017 7 hours ago, 30DodgePanel said: Looks a lot like the rear lights on 39 Chevy Master Thanks, 30Dodge. You are right; it looks similar. But I went to the websites of companies who sell 39 Chevy tail lamps, and examined photos. The backsides of 39 Chev tail lamps are concave, with no "pedestal." And, as Al Brass pointed out, they are pressed steel, not cast aluminum like mine. But it was a good clue, and got me on track with another trail... I am now wondering if it might be for 47 to early 50's GM Suburbans, as another poster suggested before. Does anyone know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1940TORPEDO Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 (edited) I know nothing about Grahams but wonder...the stand appears very different but can't see it very well on my phone Edited March 18, 2017 by 1940TORPEDO (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curti Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I think that is a front mounted light in a late 30's 40's GMC truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Mellor NJ Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I'd say 54 or so panel truck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 That tiny bulb says, to me, that it isn't a tail light. Maybe a roof mounted clearance light??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 13 hours ago, Dave Mellor NJ said: I'd say 54 or so panel truck I looked up photos of reproduction tail lamps assemblies for GM panel trucks of that era. They seem to be flush-mounted, with no "pedestal" or "leg" to hold them away from the body. Also, they are stamped steel. Of the examples I've seen in this thread, it seems most like the tail lamps on the 39 Chevy Master and the Graham. So far, anyway. Greatly appreciate everyone's input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 Let me try this again. I really appreciate your help, everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curti Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 If the phillips screws are original to the light , it is 1937 or newer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted May 11, 2017 Author Share Posted May 11, 2017 Still mystified by this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roysboystoys Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 I'll guess GMC is the foundry that cast the body, the numbers are the job number. Specialty light , maybe ambulance , possible military. Might be roof mount , explains the angle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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