Original tail lights question

[jumpman420]

Hey guys and gals. A while back I picked up some twilight lenses that I believed to be for the cobra. In original NOS boxes, not in the best of shape, but still there. There are 3 lenses and 2 metal surrounds in 3 boxes, two of which are the same, lenses and surrounds and a separate designed box with the single lens. I have had them authenticated with an original cobra owner locally, who basically told me they aren't worth anything to most people and even original owners wouldn't pay anything for them because there is no market for them other than for original car owners. He isn't a very liked guy around the area, because he is very wealthy with daddy's money and his old cobra and expresses this usually how he is better than most people. Long story short, I'd rather throw them away than give them to him. Question is, what are they worth? Second question, is there any interest on here for them? Thanks much in advance. Look forward to hearing what your thoughts are.

Also, is there any way to identify valve covers from original cars?

[A-Snake]

Post photos of the lens and what is written on both the top & bottom section.

[1985 CCX]

Pictures are worth thousand words.
Early lenses were orange cast "amber" then probably got red with US importation laws.
Experts will know.

Either way not enough to retire on. Sets sell regularly not all that rare.
Valve covers would be Buddy Bar or stock Ford.
Buddies can go up in value but most trade at 400 plus/minus 100.
Exceptional have sold for 700.

BTW am looking for another orange tint lense..... Help

[Dan Case]

Lens(es):
As A-Snake suggests there is more than one version of lens. The basic design was used for more than a decade. Over time the structure of the lamp socket changed and so did the lens(es). There are at least four different lenses, three red and one amber that I know of and there could be more. Only one was used in production by AC Cars (Based on my own survey of unrestored substantially unmolested uncrashed Cobras between a CSX20xx chassis and some early 427 Cobras while lots of such cars were still available to study.) during the Cobra and early 427 Cobra production time frame. There have also been replacement parts not manufactured by Lucas available since the late 1980s.

The most desirable for top tier restorations is the same version AC Cars used but none are worthless. Value depends on how badly somebody wants them at the time.

The exact raised text molded into the lens panels and the fine details (Lucas original or later replacement) are clues to what version is being examined.

Valve Covers:
Which ones, what chassis series? Cobras with XHP-260, HP260, and HP289 engines used many different valve covers street and race. The only ones easy to identify as production Cobra pieces are the three known cast aluminum versions used for engines with road draft tubes or PCV ventilation sourced from the rear of intake manifolds. The tougher to decode are the two cast aluminum versions made before late 1964 (when sourcing of parts for 1965 MUSTANG GT350 production ramped up). The versions used on Cobras had different Ford engineering numbers and costs than the subsequent GT350 parts, but very early GT350s finished at Venice got left over Cobra production covers. During Cobra production there was a wooden master to produce late Cobra valve covers. During 1965-66 GT350 production there were many different wooden masters; I don’t know how many but at one time I had parts from five different masters on the work bench at one time.

[Dan Case]

Cast aluminum COBRA valve covers have a wide range of values depending on version and condition AND who wants them for what reason.

I will list them in order of release:
1) 1st Design solid cover with no ports and zero provision for spark plug wire clips. (just a few sets)
2) Revision 1 of 1st Design, boss added to wire clips but not drilled (just a few sets)
3) Revision 2 of 1st Design, boss now has wire clip brackets installed (just a few sets in production but sold by Ford as an accessory for any 221/260 Ford.
4) 2nd Design with PCV and oil fill provisions, not marked by casting company, chrome plated oil fill tube (not used long in production and very briefly sold by Ford as an accessory for any 221/260/289.
5) 2nd Design with PCV and oil fill, marked by casting company, cadmium plated oil fill tube (used as requested before CSX2201 and a mandatory option CSX2201 and up, also sold by Ford as an accessory and also used on early 1965 MUSTANG GT350s.)

I will list them in order of relative general historic market value:
1) 2nd Design with PCV and oil fill, marked by casting company, cadmium plated oil fill tube (used as requested before CSX2201 and a mandatory option CSX2201 and up, also sold by Ford as an accessory and also used on early 1965 MUSTANG GT350s.)
2) 1st Design solid cover with no ports and zero provision for spark plug wire clips. (just a few sets)
3) Revision 1 of 1st Design, Revision 2 of 1st Design
4) 2nd Design with PCV and oil fill provisions, not marked by casting company, chrome plated oil fill tube (not used long in production and very briefly sold by Ford as an accessory for any 221/260/289.

I will list them in order of relative general historic market value BASED ON CONDITION:
1) Excellent used, no serious stains, no damage, never been media blasted, never been etched by strong chemical, no modifications. Note: A bonus for SAI installed 1st Design covers in any version that still have nice black paint in the COBRA letters. Hugus and Tasca didn’t add the paint detail.
2) Best practices “restoration”.
3) General “make them pretty for sale”.
4) Good used but stained.
5) Easy to repair damage or reverse modifications.
6) All else.

[1985 CCX]

Dan is the expert.
Always learning, thanks
Couple VC ......

[spl310]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Dan is the expert.
Always learning, thanks
Couple VC ......

Porn!!

[era cobra]

Nice collection of valve covers.

[jumpman420]

You guys are a vast wealth of knowledge. Never have seen an orange rear before, then again I don't get out much. See if I can get the pictures to work. There was supposed to be 4 images and well, I got one.





I did happen to find the valve covers as well. Quite the collection of cobra porn on that valve cover wall! I will get some pictures of those today.

[Dan Case]

Originally Posted by jumpman420

That is the O.E.M. part for Cobras and early 427 Cobras.

Dan

[jumpman420]

The valve covers were found in another box at the same location. The lady said her dad used to race cars before she was born, and didn't have a whole lot of information about them. She was an only child and didn't have any other source of information for me. If the lenses were real, then maybe the valve covers were too was my thought.

I don't or wouldn't expect to retire off of the items, but would sure like to see them go to a good home for someone who might need them, want them, whatever. Love learning about these cars. Just the options for lenses as they were produced, or valve covers! Will get some pictures of the covers.

[Dan Case]

I sent a PM to you.

Dan

[1985 CCX]

Nice stuff !
Best of luck

[ACademic]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Sets sell regularly not all that rare.

Good luck in finding a matching orange one (that has to be truly rare). The hard part is finding a matching set that have the same overall tint/color due to different manufacturing lots. I would say it's rare to find a nice salvageable pair of matching lenses (of any color). At least that's been my experience.

Originally Posted by Dan Case

Value depends on how badly somebody wants them at the time.

That's a true statement. Realism has a cost.

Originally Posted by Dan Case

That is the O.E.M. part for Cobras and early 427 Cobras.

Dan, thank you for your knowledge and confirming that my own are the right ones.

FWIW, I still have the light bulb housings available for sale if those are desired by anyone that is interested in the lenses that the OP may sell and wants the whole enchilada. PM me with a fair offer.

[jumpman420]

Here are the valve covers. Do not see my numbers or letters anywhere, just a couple "cast marks."

[jumpman420]

[Dan Case]

Originally Posted by jumpman420

Here are the valve covers. Do not see my numbers or letters anywhere, just a couple "cast marks."

Well, those are 427 Cobra accessories so my list of versions for Cobras doesn't apply.
Dan

[LMH]

Would the early lens fit on a modern assembly?
Larry

[1985 CCX]

Larry,

LOL nothing fits on a Cobra......

[LMH]

That's for sure! I just ment does a period lens fit on modern lamp. How closely have they been replicated.
Larry