68-73 License Light Particulars

[Rich P.]

I don't know if any of this has been posted before and if it has sorry.

Anyhow I was going through several 68-73 rear license plate light assemblies and wanted to point out the differences and particulars.

First thing I noticed is that the 68-71 fiber optic housings were all silver cad/zinc while the 72-73 non fiberoptic housing is gold cad/zinc.

Next the mounting hardware...the lense screws have a unique shape to them. It looks like a pan head but is narrower and higher than a normal pan head and a flat tip, you can see the difference as the housing to body screw have a normal pan head. The only other place I remember seing this style screw is on 69 headlight washer pumps.

[Rich P.]

Re: 68-73 License Light Particulars

Next is the wire harness hardware and clip. The bolt is a 5/16" recessed and flanged hex head with 10-24 thread and a flat tip (silver cad/zinc). The clip is a typical plastic coated J-clip.

The lenses all have a X on a tab by one of the mounting flanges and aside from the GUIDE info each lense has it's original pt # 5957401-2

Rich

[Patrick N.]

Re: 68-73 License Light Particulars

.

The lenses all have a X on a tab by one of the mounting flanges and aside from the GUIDE info each lense has it's original pt # 5957401-2

Rich[/quote]

Rich, do I understand correctly, each lense from 68-73 has the same 5957401-2 part # ?

Thanks for the info!
Pat

[Jim T.]

Re: 68-73 License Light Particulars

Rich my original owner 68's license lens has 5957401-3 in small letters and GUIDE 35 SAE L 66 in large letters/numbers.
The 68 owners manual under lamp bulb data lists a trade number 67 bulb that has 4 candle power. The 70 owners manual lists trade number 97 bulb and same 4 candle power.
My original owner 1970's license lens has 5957401-4 and Guide 35 SAE L 66.
Both have a X.

[Bill L.]

Re: 68-73 License Light Particulars

I was doing a search regarding the finish of the 70 License Light and this thread popped up.

I understand what Rich is saying about the finishes but I am of the opinion that the early light metal finish was galvanized with a finish virtually identical to the tail lamp housings. Given that they were both manufactured by Guide it might make sense.

I will try and post a pic of the original light I have that shows the finish.

Thoughts?


Bill

[Alan S.]

Re: 68-73 License Light Particulars

Hi Bill,
I recognized the finish on the housing to be similar to that on the tail light housings too.
Also, there is typically a plastic plug on ONE of the housing mounting screws.
It's the same part seen on the screws that mount the headlight plastic shields to the front bumper.
Does your car have one?
Regards,
Alan

[James B.]

Re: 68-73 License Light Particulars

Rich,

Thanks for taking the time to share this information.

Jim

[Bill L.]

Re: 68-73 License Light Particulars

Hi Bill,
I recognized the finish on the housing to be similar to that on the tail light housings too.
Also, there is typically a plastic plug on ONE of the housing mounting screws.
It's the same part seen on the screws that mount the headlight plastic shields to the front bumper.
Does your car have one?
Regards,
Alan

HI Alan,

First time to see an actual plastic plug. I saw the plastic plugs called out in the AIM. Mine did not have any. Now I am really curious about the plugs and if the factory put them on the headlight shields.

Great pics as always.


Bill

[Alan S.]

Re: 68-73 License Light Particulars

Hi Bill,
I think the consensus is that St.Louis typically put the caps on the shield screws.
I'm quite sure that my car didn't have the 'caps' on the shield screws, but I'm not positive????
I bought an ugly license lamp at Carlisle only because it still had the cap.
Now that I think about it are the caps still available? I've not thought to look around to see.
Regards,
Alan

[Bill L.]

Re: 68-73 License Light Particulars

Hi Bill,
I think the consensus is that St.Louis typically put the caps on the shield screws.
I'm quite sure that my car didn't have the 'caps' on the shield screws, but I'm not positive????
I bought an ugly license lamp at Carlisle only because it still had the cap.
Now that I think about it are the caps still available? I've not thought to look around to see.
Regards,
Alan

I may get the part number from the AIM later and google it. I googled it and all the corvette suppliers have them available. Apparently they are the same as a part that holds door panels or their fasteners in place on a C2. They do look discontinued from GM. I found one site that has a pack of 100 available for $9.00 plus $6.99.

Regards,


Bill

[Bill L.]

Re: 68-73 License Light Particulars

On a separate but related note, what to you have as the finish on the two screws that attach the lens to metal? I was thinking bright zinc.

Thanks,


Bill