63-67 Parking Light & License Light Questions

[Chuck G.]

Two questions: Recently bought 2 current "Trim Parts" reproduction 63-67 parking lights. I took the 2 off of my 63, which I know are not original to the car. They could be service replacement parts.

1. The repro's have a 2 inch by 1/2 inch copper/brass exposed connector. The ones on my car had this area covered with a rubber boot, much like a straight spark plug boot. Both these and the repro's had the part numbers embossed, etc. This is a glaring difference. Which is "correct"?

2. Rear license plate light. Most you see are painted a flat argent silver color. My original 63 license light has the area around the bulb (under the lens) painted white, probably for more reflection. What's "correct"?

TIA. Just getting back "into" this midyear thing. Chuck

[William C.]

Re: 63-67 Parking Light & License Light Questions

Parking lights had "the boot" originally.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 63-67 Parking Light & License Light Questions

Hmmm. I wonder why Trim Parts would make such an obviously incorrect reproduction? I've seen "old originals" with and without "the boot".

Don't know which is production line original and which is service replacement. Also, could some midyears have the boot, and some not? Chuck

[Mike M.]

65 parking Lights

I just looked at my old 65 parking lights which I replaced and there is no rubber boot on them. I've owned the car since 1980 so I'm sure these are orignal. Mike

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-67 Parking Light & License Light Questions

Chuck,

If your parking lamps have a rubber boot covering the rear area where the wires connect to the socket, it sounds like you have the correct original style for 63. This was a unique design for 63 and was changed for 64-67, and all service replacements since that time. There's an easy way to spot a 63 unit just by looking at the area where the lens screws poke all the way through the back side of the housing. 64-and later does not.

I wouldn't be too concerned about it tho. Not likely there's any mention of the unique 63 design in the 63-64 JG. Just save your originals. You may want to reinstall them one day.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 63-67 Parking Light & License Light Questions

Thanks, Mike. I'm aware of the "early" and "late" 63 parking light styles. What about the boot situation IF you have a late 63, a July built car. The JG states that mid to late 63's use the "later style" parking lights where the screws do not "poke" through the back? The JG makes no mention of the boot.

Also, I've seen a TON of old used parking lights with boots. I've also seen a lot without. Chuck

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-67 Parking Light & License Light Questions

Chuck,

Pretty sure I still have the originals that I took out of my 19,746 car years ago. I'll dig em out and get some good pic's.