Instrument panel lights

[Commander65]

What color are everyone's Instrument panel lights? Mine are red, which seems unusal to me, but I like them, and they are easy on the eyes at night. A couple of mine are burned out though. I guess I'll have to go get my arm broken in 7 places so that I can reach up and around behind the dash to change them out. I haven'ttaken a look at the bulbs yet. Do you suppose that they are red, or would there be some kind of colored cover over them?

Thanks. Erik

[N8N]

they are red tinted #57 bulbs, available from a number of vendors. I haven't seen any in parts stores lately. You can take a stab at DIY by using red spray paint or nail polish on regular #57s.

good luck

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop
http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[65cruiser]

The question for me is, are they supposed to be red? In my Cruiser, the guage lights are just white, but the one in the radio and ignition switch are red.


________________________
Mark Anderson
http://home.alltel.net/anderm
1965 Studebaker Cruiser

[N8N]

I doubt they are supposed to be red, that was mostly reserved for Avanti-powered cars. But if you think it looks cool do it, who's going to complain? (I had red bulbs in my 56J for just that reason)

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop
http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[Chris Collins]

I wondered what is correct also, as the ones in my Cruiser are all white. The 65-66 parts manual and the Avanti parts manual list the same parts # for the bulbs (1557882), but only the Avanti book makes the additional notation "57R", so I think white is correct for our cars. If you wish to try making your own red bulbs, I have heard of people having better results by going to a crafts store, and buying the red stain/dye used in stained glass projects.

Chris Collins
63 Avanti R-2
66 Cruiser

[65cruiser]

Chris,

What about the light in your radio and near the ignition switch. Are they red or white?

quote:Originally posted by Chris Collins

I wondered what is correct also, as the ones in my Cruiser are all white. The 65-66 parts manual and the Avanti parts manual list the same parts # for the bulbs (1557882), but only the Avanti book makes the additional notation "57R", so I think white is correct for our cars. If you wish to try making your own red bulbs, I have heard of people having better results by going to a crafts store, and buying the red stain/dye used in stained glass projects.

Chris Collins
63 Avanti R-2
66 Cruiser

________________________
Mark Anderson
http://home.alltel.net/anderm
1965 Studebaker Cruiser

[MarkC]

Sherwood Egbert was an aviation fan and his influence showed up in the many places. The I believe the entire '64 line (and perhaps the '63's) had red instrument bulbs. (And the Avanti's showed up with overhead switches, etc.) The bulbs went back to white on the later models.

For coloring, I've used normal (cheap) white bulbs and a red Magic Marker, applying several coats.

Take care,

Mark

MarkC, 64 Y8
Working in Spokane, WA

[lvanw]

I've had 65 wagon and 64 sedan and both had red dash lights
John

[Chris Collins]

On my 66, the radio light is white as are all the others. I did not know there was an ignition switch light, mine must be burned out. The ign. switch light was apparently dropped on Commanders for 66. (Only had the car about a year, have not been under the dash yet).

From my 64 Hawk & Lark-type, plus 65 & 66 owners manuals, the 65-66 parts manual, and the Stude Int'l catalog, here's what I've found:

64 Lark types: lighter, clock, instruments, ignition switch, radio, and inst. switches all have "R" by the bulb #'s. Glovebox, hi beam indicator and auto trans. quadrant do not.

64 Hawk is the same, except lighter, clock, instruments, ignition switch, and tach all say "C or R".

65: Everything is "R" except glovebox, hi beam and tranny indicators.

66: All Clear per the parts manual. (My owners guide says "R" for the clock and gauges only, but that could be a typo since the 66 and 65 manuals are largely the same except for a few illustrations).

Hope this helps. Of course folks have learned that what actually went out the door could vary, especially in the later years.

Chris Collins
63 Avanti R-2
66 Cruiser

[Mike]

The glass in the dial of my Avanti radio is painted red along the edge. The bulb is clear. Of course, if you want to use a Lark radio, you could dye the bulb.
Mike M.

[studeclunker]

I have two '64 wagons that are original as far as I can tell. Both have nothing but clear bulbs in them. One wagon was assembled in the South Bend shop and was abandoned for seventeen years in a field. All of the dash lights had been ruined by a dash fire. They had all been clear. The other is Canadian and also had clear dash lights.
Knowing Studebaker as the Burger King of car makers (have it your way), nothing would suprise me.

Lotsa Larks!
Studeclunker
A.K.A: out2lunch

[raprice]

The dash lights on my '59 Lark are red. So, it looks like a consensus.
It's RED.
Rog

[65cruiser]

Consensus? I see both red AND white. I don't see no stinkin consensus

quote:Originally posted by studeroger

The dash lights on my '59 Lark are red. So, it looks like a consensus.
It's RED.
Rog

________________________
Mark Anderson
http://home.alltel.net/anderm
1965 Studebaker Cruiser

[jackb]

I just disassembled an original 64' Cruiser. The bulbs were all red except: Clock, tranny, & directionals....Have had several 59's & 60's...never seen one with red bulbs....Point is, if you have a car that has very low mileage, and looks clean, the bulb configuration "should" be original. Anybody could do anything later on...including a dealer...Some may not know or want to know, but the factory was a real SOB sometimes with dealers.....Tho the prevailing thought was that the Stude dealer "tried" harder, cause he had to, the factory "made" the dealer take inventory & stock (vehicles) as part of their arrangement.

[N8N]

In all seriousness, I don't think the red bulbs were introduced until the intro of the Avanti, so they would not be correct for any car built before the Avanti intro. My point was if you think they're cool, you're not building a 400 point show car, and they fit, why no use 'em?

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop
http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel