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Front Turn Signals - orange or white?
I have noticed that there are two different front turn signals/marker light colours on the various repliCobras. What did the originals have, orange or white?
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I think this is one of those "whatever shelby had there at the time " issues. 427 or 428, round versus square tailights, orange verses clear marker lamps. I could be completely wrong about this one, but it is so insignificant as to the originality of the car, especially when most replicas have a drivtrain not including: FE, toploader, jag rear end.
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The amber lenses (held on with two screws) were associated with the round tail lights, while white twist-off lenses were used on the cars with rectangular tail lights (approximately...).
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Today, your choice is clear lens/amber bulb, or amber lens/clear bulb. Amber lens versions are most commonly available, with clear lenses used for backup lights.
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For what it's worth, my 427 (really a 428) CSX 3288 has amber turn signals, round taillights, per Bob's comments.
However, a quick search through my many Cobra books, pictures of original one owner unrestored 427 S/C's (two) and looking closely at the photos taken of the S/C's on theproduction line and at the Shelby facility in California, as well as all the Shelby advertising I have on the 427's, whether rectangular or round taillights, have amber lenses. In Dave Friedman's book "Shelby Cobra original archives" there are pictures of 289 slab sides that appear to have been taken the same day, same spot, with the white car having amber lenses and the others having white lenses!!! (Perhaps a fashion designer was hired by Shelby to pick the lense color that was complementary to the body color. Uh, then again, no!)Most of the 289's I've seen have white lenses, including three one owner cars, the owners of which insist they haven't changed them. So that really clears it up, doesn't it? I'm confused now! |
Here's what I have on this...
(...and remember, not much is cast in stone with originals!)
Front turn signals MUST produce amber light on all cars of model year 1963 and newer in the US and Canada. Manufacturers at that time stayed with their existing tooling and used amber bulbs to comply. As I see it, all 289 Cobras came with clear lenses. As a carry-over, all 427 Comp cars and most of the early S/C's (delivered up to mid-to-late 1966) also were supplied with clear lenses. Street cars, shipped as 1966 model-year (CSX3100 and up), had amber lenses. Both the clear and the amber were twist-off lenses. (They say that...) When AC saw the supply of Hillman rectangular taillights drying up, they switched over to the dual-round taillights...somewhere around CSX3200. At the same time, they switched the front amber lens to the same type lens as the taillight: held on by screws instead of twist-on. |
Well, like everything else Shelby American did back then, it seems there is no clear standard. My CSX4000 came with white lenses, and I guess I never paid any attention to what color other cars had until I built mine. Then I started looking around, and saw several variations. There are very few ORIGINAL, untouched cars to look at for reference.
Computerworks, where did the info on post '63 US and Canada cars come from? I distinctly remember my '69 Mustang had white turn signals, with white bulbs. Is this a state, vs U.S., standard? For example, I seem to recall that '67 Shelby Mustangs had differing high beam locations in the grille due to differing state standards. Not stirring the pot, just asking. |
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