Studebaker 1950 cyclop light interesting after market accessory

[Studebaker Wheel]

[thunderations]

I remember those on cars in South Bend and Mishawaka when I was a kid. Sometimes, at night, you got tricked and it was a Tucker with the steering center light. Wish I had one of them old Tuckers...maybe two or three.

[Corvanti]

i don't have one Mr. Quinn, but have thought of doing something like that to my '51 - sometime way down the line. it would be really cool if it turned with the steering wheel a la the Tucker.

[thunderations]

i don't have one Mr. Quinn, but have thought of doing something like that to my '51 - sometime way down the line. it would be really cool if it turned with the steering wheel a la the Tucker.

I keep thinking about using steering cables from and outboard motor boat and a driving light from a motorcycle. Would need a weak link to not freeze the car from steering if something bound up.

[qsanford]

My father bought a brand new 1950 Ford tudor sedan. They didn't have a Studebaker dealer in Westport, Mass. He installed an accessory fog light in the Ford's center bullet.

[deco_droid]

That is interesting indeed!

[58PackardWagon]

I have one. I pulled it off of a car in the early 80's. I just have the unit and wiring. It has a clear light in it. I pulled it off of a 50. I often wondered if it would melt the center piece on a 51.

[SN-60]

To: Studebaker Wheel,....Now that's really interesting.....What diameter bulb does it use?

[studeclunker]

The chrome looks gorgeous on it!

[Studebaker Wheel]

To: Studebaker Wheel,....Now that's really interesting.....What diameter bulb does it use?

The bulb is 5" and the entire unit 71/4" in diameter.

[jimmijim8]

I remember years ago at the Reedsville swap meet a fella carrying one of those around. I think it was Chuck Naugle cheers jimmijim

[BobPalma]

An interesting piece indeed; 'first time I'd seen one in the flesh, Dick.

Neither this one nor the one on the production Tucker actually turned with the front wheels, did it/they? (True, Preston Tucker wanted the center lamp to turn, but IIRC, that didn't make it to "production," did it?)

Gramatically, note the wording/lettering on the box versus the advertising sheet.

On the Advertising Sheet, it says, SAF-T-LAMP. That makes sense, playing off the phonetics of the word SAFETY.

But on the Box, it says, SAF-T-Y LAMP. That makes no sense with the extra "Y" in it. BP

[Son O Lark]

That was one specialized company--The Center Saf-T Lamp Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

[Studebaker Wheel]

Bob; The light in the nose of the Tucker did turn with the steering wheel. The same company that made the stationery one (for Studebaker and Ford) also made one that would turn with the wheel (see ad above). I had a chance to buy one (NOS) at the Indy swap meet many years ago and passed (wish I hadn't!). As a side note the principle of a center mounted light that turned with the wheels was not new. Studebaker offered it as early as 1930 (part AC-51 @$35 uninstalled). It was called a Pilot Ray and was a popular accessory for larger cars of that era.

I had not noticed the variance in the spelling. Interesting.

[BobPalma]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]19571[/ATTACH]

Bob; The light in the nose of the Tucker did turn with the steering wheel. The same company that made the stationery one (for Studebaker and Ford) also made one that would turn with the wheel (see ad above). I had a chance to buy one (NOS) at the Indy swap meet many years ago and passed (wish I hadn't!). As a side note the principle of a center mounted light that turned with the wheels was not new. Studebaker offered it as early as 1930 (part AC-51 @$35 uninstalled). It was called a Pilot Ray and was a popular accessory for larger cars of that era.

I had not noticed the variance in the spelling. Interesting.

Cool, Dick; thanks for the confirmation.

And, yes, it seems like you see so many high-dollar classics at auctions with Pilot-Ray lights. Also very cool. Do you have any idea when they were last offered? (I don't; just asking.) BP