[Joe B]

I know GM changed the reflective section on the taillight lens from the inside 3rd section to the middle section. Did this happen at a certain time during the model year?
Joe

[bill ryder]

Hi Joe, My '64 has the first design tail lights. It was built in Pontiac the 5th week of April. I've wondered the same question but never have seen a bulletin reguarding the time frame. Seems this has been discussed a little on the forum but not at great lengths. Think I'll do a search for any new info here. This was probably done to save MONEY, only 1 part instead of 2 on the shelf. bill

[Joe B]

Bill,
thanks for your response. My car was built in feb 64 but I bought it with the restoration started. I have a NOS complete right side tail light with the reflective part on the lens on the inside and a NOS lens only with the reflective section in the middle. So, I just want to put what is correct on my car. I am wondering if they used different suppliers at different plants and both designs were used throughout the production run.
Joe

[Tom Wood 64]

I,m sure the change happened in Jan 64. With the second design with reflex in the center the lens fits either side. First design you had a right and a left. Cheaper to make one piece to do two jobs. Paperwork, stock etc.

[Joe B]

thanks
Joe

[bill ryder]

I'm also sure somewhere along the line, some cars were sent out with one first design and one second design lense. Then, as we do now, the old inventory is used up as the new is introduced. bill
Does anyone have a bulletin pertaining to this part change??? Thanks

[John V.]

Bill, you may be correct, but it would have looked pretty odd IMO. And for that reason, I would think PMD would not have intentionally wanted to mix the sets. But no way for me to prove one way or the other.

PMD continued to service the 1st design lenses for quite some time.

However, if you wanted to get the entire pre-assembled Lamp Assembly, they only serviced it with the 2nd design center reflector lens.

I wouldn't doubt that a few cars wound up with one of each after body repair that required one side or the other needing a complete Lamp Assembly.

Gauging by the 2nd design lens p/n, I suspect it may have been released fairly late.

I've never seen any bulletin pertaining to the change (Chad, anything??!!)

The lenses were produced by Guide Lamp I think, so I wouldn't think there would be a Plant variance. Usage may have meant a variance in WHEN the change occurred Plant to Plant.

Perhaps somebody might even know, did Guide Lamp furnish the entire pre-assembled Lamp Assemblies, not just the Lenses? I wonder if the Lamp Assembly p/ns are Guide Lamp p/ns, they don't seem to be PMD p/ns.

Would be interesting to survey original cars to see if any pattern emerges.

My late Nov Fremont build has the 1st design lenses.

[bill ryder]

There is an NOS pair of 1st design lenses on Ebay right now. Check them out.. HOW MANY NOS CAN THERE BE LEFT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU NEED THEM???
AUCTION 321023561915 2 DAYS 8 HOURS LEFT.

[bill ryder]

Guess I'll plead my case. Since I got hurt at work 6 weeks ago, I had to have back surgery the other day. Dr. says 14 more weeks SOOOO I am going to spend a lot of time doing my favorite thing, looking for great parts on the old computer. My limited knowledge is with '64-'65, but I'll keep looking for the other years, too.
Guess when I find something I can post it here for whoever to see. Or I guess I could start a new parts thread. Anyway I'll do something.
Here is another good one: Like NOS GM shift ball from Pete S. auction 110978999479
bill

[bill ryder]

Bet these are hard to find. NOS back up light assy's. with instructions.
auction: 140590544106

[Joe B]

I have a NOS right side complete tailight with the reflective section on the left side not in the center. 1st design.
Joe

[Joe B]

I just looked on ebay and thats just a pair of lenses. I have 1 lens with the center as the reflector and the complete right side tailight with the chrome and housing and the reflective section to the left. NOS and boxed.
Joe

[Old Man Taylor]

Originally Posted by bill ryder

Bet these are hard to find. NOS back up light assy's. with instructions.
auction: 140590544106

Thanks for the heads up. I bought them.

[60sstuff]

Originally Posted by bill ryder

Here is another good one: Like NOS GM shift ball from Pete S. auction 110978999479
bill

Bill, Hope you recover like new from the back injury!!!
As for that 64/65 shift knob on ebay.....it's worded very carefully "like nos" not to say Factory OEM. It's a copy of a real one but not very crisp with the numbers as you can see in the comparison pics below.

[64woodwheel]

Originally Posted by John V.

I've never seen any bulletin pertaining to the change (Chad, anything??!!)

I remember reading something about that. I'll look...

[bill ryder]

The lenses sold for $560.00, had 23 bids. Don't know if that's hi or low. Someone got an early Xmas present.

[bill ryder]

Since most of my old friends and new ones are on this thread, I want to wish you'se HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and yours. BE CAREFUL if you are traveling.
AND TOMORROW IS BLACK FRIDAY. GET READY, GET SET, GO!!!!!! bill

[Dick Boneske]

Thanks, Bill! I also wish Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Thanks for our health, freedom, and family. Thanks for our old Pontiacs!

[Joe B]

still hoping someone is confident on the month of when the change occurred? No one has seemed real sure about it
Joe

[Joe B]

as soon as I can verify which lens is correct the one I do not need will be available for someone
Joe