Leif Holmberg Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Need your help to identify this Trippe Safety Light 8 1/4" tot.diameter.Just wonder if it`s an option light ?.Leif in Sweden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Henderson Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 (edited) These may have been a "Factory" option, I'm quite sure they were at least a dealer installed option. These came 2 ways, the other variation, the "Senior" version, had a bubble balancer in the top motif piece to assist in aligning. I once had a NOS set in the box, and think there were instructions for installing them on a '48 Buick that came along with them. They usually were installed in pairs, and mine were boxed that way. Edited October 19, 2015 by Dave Henderson (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 The Trippe lights were an after market accessory, usually sold and mounted in pairs on the front of the car. Main usage of the style you show was roughly 1928-1940, but of course could show up on other years too. The light you show is a Junior model, the Senior model was similar but had liquid and a bubble in the top wrap around piece for leveling. Trippe also made spotlights and marine lights, I happen to have examples of each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leif Holmberg Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 Thanks for your help guys.Leif in Sweden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I believe these pics may help somewhat. The pic with a serial no seems to be representative of most Trippe lights I have seen. Compare with the no on your all red badge. Is yours significantly higher ? I speculate that the red badge Trippes were the most modern. Now on the ancient end of the spectrum , the more primitive badge without a serial no has rather different verbiage. Look closely. I have never seen another with "Liverpool" designated ! Also , the mounting bar is an older technique. This one is apparently a very old one , and has the level on top , but also mounts from the top! Built to HANG from the light bar ! Does anyone have any insight at all about the age of this ? I would like to mount it on my 1927 Cadillac if it is period correct. Thank you , Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 (edited) Trippe lights are perfect to distort the front end of a car or slow it down in wind tunnel tests. And they were NEVER a factory option on anything. Edited October 19, 2015 by alsancle (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curti Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 The flat back design was later. The point on the back was relieved because it impinged on the grill of the newer cars. The flat bar that carries the medallion is also indicative of the later design. The timeline of Trippe lights that carry the s/n is still a mystery to me, as well as the cast vs pressed brass that carry the levelers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 This shows the mounting arm , and pad for level (cast) on this "hanging" Trippe light. I called back to Chicago to try to date the light. The "Speedlight" designation and "Liverpool", on the badge drew a blank. Until I found this old Trippe at Portland this year , I had been looking for a flat glass , drum bucket fog light to replace the newer period light you see here. The old Trippe I found does have the more pointed back. Thanks for the explanation ! As far as the esthetic considerations of driving lights , I can agree that there can be too much of a good thing. Function , in my case , is a factor. I want to see what the light pattern would be with a dual filament halogen bulb , so it could have a high-low beam. I have heard old-timers refer to a fog light mounted low and right , as a "ditch light". In low visibility this could keep the car out of the ditch ! If the light is period correct , and with the plane of the lens being the same as the headlights , it could balance the Klaxon quite nicely. With the drag coefficient being what it is on this original survivor , and the low speeds I maintain , aerodynamic aspects are irrelevant. One aspect of displaying a functional accessory , is the "cool factor". This works particularly well if it is something seldom seen. Very few folks have seen a "hanging" Trippe. Likewise , the turn signals you see under the visor pass "cool" muster. When deployed , engine vacuum extends the semaphore , and it lights up.Well , O.K. I have included a pic showing the "cool factor" of the dual rear spares. Some prefer sidemounts. Me ? I love 'em all. In this particular case , dual rear looks best to my eyes. If someone likes 3 or 4 pairs of lights on their car , it is sure not what I would do , but , "dif'rent strokes". I am an odd duck who likes closed cars as much as open cars ! Kinda like do you love yer son or daughter most. So I guess if you like Trippes , mount 'em up !Oh , and by the way , Curt : in some way something you posted a while ago led me to mount up the duals. We were trying to see if there was any decipherable date code on these diamond pattern Goodyears. At the time , I had a single spare mounted with the original cover on it. The Cadillac crest decal is still in v.g.c. But these 2 tires were in the parts pile that came with the car. I can't remember what you said that set off the light bulb , buy I found 2 rims , and this is the result. For me , I prefer the look and obvious function over displaying the cool original cover. But I would still like to know more about my unusual old Trippe. Good luck with yours , Leif ! - Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I see a conventional Trippe with a badge like mine on eBay. Also it appears that a Jr. is a somewhat smaller light with a curved lens. I guess you could get a Sr. , "wit" or "witout" , to paraphrase a purveyor of mediocre Philly steak sandwiches. Hmmmm........ should I delete this inane analogy ? What does cheese have to do "wit" built-in levels anyway ? It is late , and I am tired. Zzzzzzzzz - Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tainolibre Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 Hi guys or gales....I have a pair of vintage trippe safety lights...im never going to use em...thought someone can buy them.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDRE BLANCHET Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Hi! I would like to know if The trippe safety lights are still available ? Thank you ! Andre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now