Correct front turn signal lights?

[my427cobra]

After seeing a lot of Cobra's at last years 50th celebrations at Pomona and Monterey, I noticed a number of variations on the front turn signal/parking light lenses on the 289's and 427's.

I also noticed the same variations after looking closely at the pics in the 2012 SAAC annual.

Some 289 cars had the Lucas L539 "winged" lenses in amber and some were clear.

Some 427 cars had the L539 lenses and some had the slightly larger L691's in amber and some in clear.

In these pics the L539 is on the left and the L691 is on the right.





Anyone want to comment on the "correct" applications?

Cheers
Greg

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by my427cobra

After seeing a lot of Cobra's at last years 50th celebrations at Pomona and Monterey, I noticed a number of variations on the front turn signal/parking light lenses on the 289's and 427's.

I also noticed the same variations after looking closely at the pics in the 2012 SAAC annual.

Some 289 cars had the Lucas L539 "winged" lenses in amber and some were clear.

Some 427 cars had the L539 lenses and some had the slightly larger L691's in amber and some in clear.

In these pics the L539 is on the left and the L691 is on the right.





Anyone want to comment on the "correct" applications?

Cheers
Greg

The L539 was used on all 289 Cobras. I believe all of them were clear. 427 Cobras used the L539 until approximately CSX3200 when the change was made to the L691. I believe all the L691's used were amber. I don't know if or when the L539 changed from clear to amber on earlier 427's
Laws were changing in the US at the time to amber signals. Some manufactures used amber bulbs behind clears lens until changing to amber lens.
I would guess some number of 289 Cobra owners changed from clear to amber lens.

[my427cobra]

Great info. Thanks A-Snake.

Cheers
Greg

[Danr55]

If I recall correctly, the amber lenses did not hit the streets until 1966 so anything before that would have been clear.

[my427cobra]

Thanks Dan. I like the look of the larger L691's better and I think the clear (with maybe an amber bulb) because I think the clear looks better against my Rangoon Red.

Greg

[DanEC]

Hmm, interesting. I thought the clear lenses were phased out before the 427 models. So, I guess an early 427 car with rectangular tail lights should have clear front lenses???

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by Danr55

If I recall correctly, the amber lenses did not hit the streets until 1966 so anything before that would have been clear.

My car was delivered with amber in 1965, I don't recall seeing any 427's with clear lens till years later

[csx4017]

My 4000 series has L539 ( winged, amber, wider bezel ). I would like to hear from Nick, McCluskey and SA......Same as #3170

[Dan Case]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

The L539 was used on all 289 Cobras. I believe all of them were clear. 427 Cobras used the L539 until approximately CSX3200 when the change was made to the L691. I believe all the L691's used were amber. I don't know if or when the L539 changed from clear to amber on earlier 427's
Laws were changing in the US at the time to amber signals. Some manufactures used amber bulbs behind clears lens until changing to amber lens.
I would guess some number of 289 Cobra owners changed from clear to amber lens.

Clear was most Cobras. A few scattered cars (including one of the SA team racers) received amber lenses but there seems to be no pattern of why or when. Amber was standard for 427 Cobra street cars. The is also a red lens that some other types of cars used as brake/marker lights.

[rsk289]

For the RHD cars, front would have been clear, and doubled as sidelight and indicator, flashing white. In Sept '65 UK law changed to require amber indicators, so any car built after this had an amber lens. At the same time the switch was made to two separate taillights, one amber for indicator and the other red for brake/taillight. As the car bodies were built over here, I would expect this to hold for other markets too, as I don't think lighting was fitted in the US - but I bow to the experts on that point. Anyhow, for legal requirements, that should be your change point. If the car was registered for road use after Sept '65 it would fail MOT and be illegal with clear indicators. 1965 registrations had a 'C' suffix, '66 went to 'D' etc. So a few 'C's would have the amber.

[csx4017]

CSX3002, reportedly the first 427 shipped to the states has clear L539's. CSX3006 is also clear. CSX3017 has L539's in amber.
1965 AC Shelby Cobra 427 Competition - Images, Specifications and Information

[my427cobra]

Hi rsk289. Regarding the 427 Cobra's, after the sigle tailight cars, didn't the dual tailight cars have a RE31 red reflector (no bulb) on the bottom and a L692 red lense on the top (dual filament bulb for all three functionsark, turn and stop).

Greg

[rsk289]

Originally Posted by my427cobra

Hi rsk289. Regarding the 427 Cobra's, after the sigle tailight cars, didn't the dual tailight cars have a RE31 red reflector (no bulb) on the bottom and a L692 red lense on the top (dual filament bulb for all three functionsark, turn and stop).

Greg

Hi Greg, I'm afraid I know nothing about 427s! But I don't quite understand the question - are you saying that the dual taillight cars had an L692 red lamp doing all three functions? Wouldn't that make them a single taillight car?
And yes, I think the reflectors were as you say. They were also there for the later Healey 3000s, which was the main user of L692s.

[my427cobra]

Yeah rsk289. I should have said a two lense (one RE31reflector and one L692 light per side ) car.

Greg

[mcbrad]

I have a Superformance. Do y’all know how to take the lens off? I didn’t want to break it by turning it and it has screws on the backside. I was expecting a nut. TIA

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by mcbrad

I have a Superformance. Do y’all know how to take the lens off? I didn’t want to break it by turning it and it has screws on the backside. I was expecting a nut. TIA

Assuming you're talking about the front signals, I have seen two types, if there are screws on the front lens then obviously remove them, but if there are raised ridges to help you turn the lens, then that's probably what it takes. Here's a diagram of the two most common types, but I suppose there could always be something that wants you to come in from behind.

[mcbrad]

Perfect! Thanks!

[Blas]

With the Superformance cars, the front indicators housings were turn signal only and the headlights has a small running light inside the glass housing. When they changed to sealed beam headlights the front running lights was relocated to the turn signal fixture. I have a Service bulletin covering how to change out the fixture if you are interested. Just email me and I’ll send it along.
Blas