Very old small interior light?

[STAYGOLD]

Hello,

I am trying to identify the usage or purpose for this small light.

It has a green, red, and a clear lens in it.

It only measures about 2" or 2 1/2" tall.

Anyone have any idea on what it might be for or what it was used on?

[keiser31]

Not an interior light. I have seen these mounted on the outsides of bodies and some fenders. I don't think that an actual car company had those originally.

[Grandpa]

My guess is 1940s after market accessory light. Some cities required that cars parked on side streets over night had to leave the tail lights turned on. Installing these small lights on the rear fenders satisfied the law and didn't discharge the car's battery as quickly as leaving the parking lights turned on. One city with this requirement was Evanston, Illinois (a Chicago north side suburb).

Grandpa

[keiser31]

I believe that they are from the teens through the 20s.

[28 Chrysler]

These were mounted on the side in the center of the car with the red lens toward the rear. This one has a clear lens to sine down towards the running board.

[hddennis]

kieser31 hit it right on the head as far as use and time period. This is an example of what I was trying to find more information on in my own post:

http://forums.aaca.org/f169/early-lighting-laws-310575.html

Howard dennis