52 Studebaker parking light lens mystery

[lstude]

I bought NOS parking light lenses for my 52 Commander on eBay. When I started to put them on tonight, they were different from the ones on my 52.

They are shaped the same except the back part is convex where as mine are flat. The metal ring that holds them onto the headlight bucket will not fit them.

Both my old ones and the new ones have 3HD molded into the glass.

Does anyone know what these fit. I thougth all 52 headlight trim was the same.







Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[mbstude]

I've heard that there were a few (maybe 3?) different headlight setups for '52s. I suppose that maybe this is just one variation. It's the first one I've seen like that with the 'dip' though.

Matthew Burnette
'59 Scotsman
'63 Daytona
Hazlehurst, GA

[mbstude]

I've heard that there were a few (maybe 3?) different headlight setups for '52s. I suppose that maybe this is just one variation. It's the first one I've seen like that with the 'dip' though.

Matthew Burnette
'59 Scotsman
'63 Daytona
Hazlehurst, GA

[lstude]

I knew if anyone would know, it would be you!

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[lstude]

I knew if anyone would know, it would be you!

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[52-fan]

I ran into this problem several years ago driving down from Deadwood, South Dakota after a Black Hills Chapter meet. A rock flew off of the tire of another car and hit my left parking light dead center. No problem,I thought I'll just use the one I bought a few years ago for a spare. Wrong! I had the same problem you have. My replacement would not fit.
What I discovered was that this apparently was one of those cases where Studebaker changed the design during production. That was the conclusion I settled on after finding other items with matching part numbers that are not exactly alike. Luckily, the 52 park light lenses are glass and don't degrade like plastic so there are a lot around. You just have to be careful because most sellers don't even know there are two types and can not tell you if you ask which they have.
Someone else may have a more researched answer, but at least both kinds are usually available at most large swaps.

1952 Champion Starlight since October,1971. 1962 Daytona
since May, 2007.Searcy,Arkansas

[52-fan]

I ran into this problem several years ago driving down from Deadwood, South Dakota after a Black Hills Chapter meet. A rock flew off of the tire of another car and hit my left parking light dead center. No problem,I thought I'll just use the one I bought a few years ago for a spare. Wrong! I had the same problem you have. My replacement would not fit.
What I discovered was that this apparently was one of those cases where Studebaker changed the design during production. That was the conclusion I settled on after finding other items with matching part numbers that are not exactly alike. Luckily, the 52 park light lenses are glass and don't degrade like plastic so there are a lot around. You just have to be careful because most sellers don't even know there are two types and can not tell you if you ask which they have.
Someone else may have a more researched answer, but at least both kinds are usually available at most large swaps.

1952 Champion Starlight since October,1971. 1962 Daytona
since May, 2007.Searcy,Arkansas

[Roscomacaw]

Two different part numbers listed for 1952 Parking lite lenses and associated parts. Book shows serial numbers of useage for differing styles.[8]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Roscomacaw]

Two different part numbers listed for 1952 Parking lite lenses and associated parts. Book shows serial numbers of useage for differing styles.[8]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Roscomacaw]

Sorry Brad, but the "book" doesn't support your contention so far as the parking lite lenses go. If some 3H/12G cars left the factory with a THIRD variation, wouldn't they have to have noted such? Only 2 variations for the 3H/12G cars.
NOW!.... you want goofy? There's TEN seprate "Head and Parking Lamp" units listed for '52 cars!!![:0] 50% of these differences are due to USA vs. Canadian models.
But as to the rims - only two shown and the difference between them is chrome or paint finish.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Roscomacaw]

Sorry Brad, but the "book" doesn't support your contention so far as the parking lite lenses go. If some 3H/12G cars left the factory with a THIRD variation, wouldn't they have to have noted such? Only 2 variations for the 3H/12G cars.
NOW!.... you want goofy? There's TEN seprate "Head and Parking Lamp" units listed for '52 cars!!![:0] 50% of these differences are due to USA vs. Canadian models.
But as to the rims - only two shown and the difference between them is chrome or paint finish.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[41 Frank]

Now I know what those lens retainers we have in stock fit on, 1952's
I could not identify them as they had no part # on them. Thanks to Leonard for the photo.

[41 Frank]

Now I know what those lens retainers we have in stock fit on, 1952's
I could not identify them as they had no part # on them. Thanks to Leonard for the photo.

[52 Ragtop]

I ran into the same problem on my 52 ragtop, I bought 2 NOS head light assemblys, never looked at the close UNTIL I installed them and went to install the park lamp lenses. I had one of each! IF your original was curved, and you now have a straight lens, the only difference is a welded on bracket on the head lamp bucket. You can drill out the spot welds and use the straight lense. I'm "thinking" that you might need to get the different style retainer too. There is an "up to and after" in the parts book. As Mr. Biggs said.

Jim

[52 Ragtop]

I ran into the same problem on my 52 ragtop, I bought 2 NOS head light assemblys, never looked at the close UNTIL I installed them and went to install the park lamp lenses. I had one of each! IF your original was curved, and you now have a straight lens, the only difference is a welded on bracket on the head lamp bucket. You can drill out the spot welds and use the straight lense. I'm "thinking" that you might need to get the different style retainer too. There is an "up to and after" in the parts book. As Mr. Biggs said.

Jim