1922 Dodge Bros Tail light

[alsfarms]

I have just purchased a drum style DB stamped tail light and license plate bracket. I am rather new to Dodge Bros so I ask this question. How is the correct way to mount this tail light to a touring car? The car currently is equipped with wood wheels however, I have a set of restored 24" Houk wire wheels, hubs and caps that will be installed later. I am guessing that with wood wheels the tail light is mounted to the spare tire hanger. When I convert the Dodge to the Houk wire wheels, what is the factory way and location to mount the tail light. 

Oh yes, "Myers" was able to provide all the missing bits and pieces so I can assemble a complete windshield assembly. Thanks for that suggestion.

Regards,

Alan

Edited September 12, 2023 by alsfarms
Clarity (see edit history)

[alsfarms]

Here is another question regarding the above pictured tail light license bracket. Does it appear to be correct? I am now doubting that the license plate bracket is correct as directly above the bracket I see holes correct to fit carriage bolts in from the inside?  Can anyone confirm what I have and correctness?

Al

Edited September 12, 2023 by alsfarms
spelling (see edit history)

[alsfarms]

Is someone able to share knowledge about early Dodge Bros. Taillights as to what is correct for a 1922-23 and where the taillight is hung on a wire wheel touring car.

Al

[22touring]

This is how the rear lights were mounted on my late '22 touring car with wood spoke wheels when I bought it, Al. I think it is more or less correct. I believe the light with the red and orange lenses was installed by a DB dealer in 1924, when brake lights were first required in California, and I think the "stop" light and the reflector were aftermarket.

 

 

[alsfarms]

Thanks. Your taillight is very much different from my light as shown above. It might be tight, but could you get a picture showing what your taillight is mounted to?  I am guessing that a 1922-23 touring car with wire wheels must have an alternative location to mount the tail /stoplight.

Al

Edited September 15, 2023 by alsfarms
Clarity (see edit history)

[22touring]

The lights are attached to the slotted horizontal bar which is in turn attached at its ends to the spare tire carrier ring.

[alsfarms]

My tail light has the license plate located right below the light, so I assume that my arrangement would mount in the middle of the spreader bar you referred to. This is understandable for a wood wheel car. Can someone share a picture or knowledge on a wire wheel touring car?

Al

[Mattml430]

I have seen a few different types. This one is of the 24. 
mounts here. 
couple of others I found on the web. 

[alsfarms]

Thanks for these pictures. I guess I will need to come up with a home brew bracket, similar to your bracket from 1924 in order to facilitate mounting the taillight on a touring car with a rear mounted Houk wire wheel spare.

Al

[30DodgePanel]

1 hour ago, alsfarms said:

Thanks for these pictures. I guess I will need to come up with a home brew bracket, similar to your bracket from 1924 in order to facilitate mounting the taillight on a touring car with a rear mounted Houk wire wheel spare.

Al

 

If you have dimensions or if someone is willing to share them with you, try contacting Laughing Coyote (Martin) via PM to see if he can build one for you. He did a great job on one for my model. His pricing is very, very reasonable, excellent communication and pre drawings before making the part was also a plus. We dealt mostly through PM and the bracket and tail light fit perfectly in the end. 

 

Laughing Coyote - Antique Automobile Club of America - Discussion Forums (aaca.org)

 

Back side showing how mine was mounted to truck originally 

 

 

Thanks to George F. at Romar I had measurements to go off of.

 

End result was a perfect fit and looks completely original.

 

 

 

[nearchoclatetown]

Alsfarms, I THINK '22 still had the small round tail light with only a tail light bulb. I don't have a manual here for '22 to look if there's a picture. Ask AACA library. The big round light shown above I THINK is '23 when it had a brake light added. The oval Matt showed is for '24 and has brake light. As to how they were mounted for wire wheels I need to know too as I have a car with wires. 

[RAH]

Guys, This taillight study has been ongoing for a while. Here are some data to answer questions about DB taillights. The early taillights were E&J model 25 but there were different configurations. This basic light in varying configurations continued from the beginning up to 1923. The oval DB TYPE B was introduced in '24 with the addition of a STOP light. That oval design was only used for '24. The round DB type B was used from '25 to '29. There were several slight variations. The '27 SENIOR was purported to be Nickle plate instead of plain Black and the '28 Victory hat a tapered 'V' wedge impressed on top like the 'V' om the top of the front fenders. Those had the "DB TYPE B" script tilted over  to the side.. 

 

[RAH]

I hope this helps figure out which TAILLIGHT will be correct for your car. Enjoy!

[alsfarms]

Hello and thanks for this very nice taillight presentation. I now know the answer to the "where and how", to mount the taillight on my 1922 DB touring fitted with 24" Houk wire wheels. I also need to study how to update the mounting brackets to safely mount the spare wheel assembly to the back of the touring car that will not tear the back panel of the body off over time. Thanks again for this input.

Al