Reverse backup lights 1953 -1955

[duncan1951]

Hello everyone. While rummaging through my stuff I came across a beautiful pair of NOS backup lights which I believe are for the sedans. (533558 / 553559) MAYBE based on a discussion here on the forum from 2010 (link to that discussion below). My problem is that I can't tell if I truly have a pair or have 2 lefts or 2 rights. Long mounting studs prevent me from laying them flat on table etc. These may have shown up as extra parts with the purchase of my 55 President but not sure. I doubt that I would install on the President however I don't want to offer a LR pair to anyone incorrectly. No numbers on parts except lenses which doesn't help. Any guidance would be appreciated.
URL for 2010 discussion: https://forum.studebakerdriversclub....-up-light-part

[Dick Steinkamp]

Do reverse back up lights only work when you are going forward?

[rockne10]

Ha-ha !

[Son O Lark]

Get a nice sturdy piece of cardboard or thin wood and drill some holes to mount your lights. You can then tell if they are flat or not.

[StudeRich]

They do definitely appear to be Sedan, and Late 1954 or '55 Without the Tri-Star.

[duncan1951]

Do reverse back up lights only work when you are going forward?

I guess I'm used to posting something for sale and including every word I can think of that someone might search for.
BUT YES - I do believe that reverse backup lights can otherwise be described as headlights.

[Edsel Face]

They are for a '55 Champion sedan. 533558 is for the right, 533559 is for the left. Too bad they are not for a '55 Commander. Would have been perfect for me.

[StudeRich]

See Post # 8.

[rockne10]

They are for a '55 Champion sedan. 533558 is for the right, 533559 is for the left. Too bad they are not for a '55 Commander. Would have been perfect for me.

Would the Champion and Commander not be the same?

[StudeRich]

See Post Number 8.

[StudeRich]

All the Same, '55 Champion, Commander and President, also '53 and '54 Sedans.
All Sedans have the Same Decklid, just not Coupes and Hardtops.

HINT: A 16G6 is a '55 Champion,16G8 is a '55 Commander, a 6H is a '55 President.
When a Parts Catalog says: 16G, it is ALL inclusive, Not like 14G and 15G Champions.

No surprise there! EVERYTHING about '55's is just Weird!
A very well built and Luxurious Year Model, just very unconventional, and a bad (problems prone) year for the Corp.

[duncan1951]

To review: I believe these came with extra parts for my 55 President Coupe. (see Avatar on left) The original owner (that's right I am the 2nd owner) left a history paper for the vehicle - very interesting - towards the end of this document he stated, "At this time I have the backup lights, but have not installed them." This document was dated 9 Sep 1992.

No part number markings on part(s) at all except the lenses.

According to the book this application as with others denotes LH and RH - for the 55 President Coupe that would be 533560 RH and 533561 LH. I followed Son O Lark's suggestion and mounted through cardboard to see the difference and I cannot tell which would be which. I may try to GINGERLY remove mounting studs and if successful lay flat (sort of) and see if that helps.

Sent an email to Andrew Beckman to see if I can get a template and whether that might help.

I'm starting to consider adding these to the President if this gets worked out but don't want to start drilling holes if not certain.
If anyone is cruising through upstate SC get with me for a visit and some bench racing.
measurement pic from bottom of bezel
Dave

[studefan]

Duncan, a photo from the side is needed for us to tell if a sedan or a coupe. It's all in the slope of the taper.

[duncan1951]

Duncan, a photo from the side is needed for us to tell if a sedan or a coupe. It's all in the slope of the taper.

Here is what I think you were asking for:

[studefan]

Yes Duncan. Thanks. Those are definitely for the Sedans and not the Coupes/Hardtops.

[duncan1951]

Yes Duncan. Thanks. Those are definitely for the Sedans and not the Coupes/Hardtops.

and of course, I have 55 President coupe. If it warms up I'll move out the 40 and lower the Pres down from its perch on the lift and lay them up against and then shed a tear.
Then probably find them a home with a 53-55 sedan owner and hope they are left and right.
Thanks (I think ) Dave

[StudeRich]

Once you have the Top/Center at 12:00.
The curvature in the mounting surface SHOULD be noticeably slightly Longer/Deeper on the Outboard side of each Lamp Housing due to the curvature of the Decklid.

[duncan1951]

Once you have the Top/Center at 12:00.
The curvature in the mounting surface SHOULD be noticeably slightly Longer/Deeper on the Outboard side of each Lamp Housing due to the curvature of the Decklid.

OK, here are pictures of LH RH - very slight difference I would say

[StudeRich]

Without seeing the 12:00 Position Angle, it is impossible to tell which side is longer.
Move your head around to both sides to see it, we can't do that here, Lol !

[duncan1951]

hard enough for me to move my head around in the first place. I will try to figure it out.