Clear vs Amber

[Clarance J]

Ok, this is just a curiosity question. Its about the running or turn light lenses on the front of the 55-57 trucks. My truck at the moment has the amber lens and years ago I had clear. You can still buy both, so I guess my question would be is it just to give us a choice or preference or was it for different year models. Any thoughts?

[1project2many]

The old parts book we had when I was at a dealer in 92 listed both amber and clear for the 55-57 trucks. As a kid, though, I knew the old rusty 57 Napco dump truck down the road had Amber lenses while the guy who sometimes showed up downtown with a '55 had clear, so clear has always been for '55 and amber for '57.

I used clear on my truck because I felt it matched the colors better.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I have clear (well, they're foggy as hell and look white). I'll pick based on whatever my truck's final color is. For now I'm going back with clear

[Divine 59]

Restored or rebuilt trucks are where I have seen amber. All non-restored trucks I have seen were clear. (I am basing my statement on 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks) Maybe the amber is used on 1 ton or larger?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Amber was the "new" color in the early-mid 60's. I remember my Dad buying some spray to do the front signals on our '55 Belair as an "update"

[Clarance J]

Thanks for the feed back. I've had the amber for quite awhile now but they are two different shades and its time for a change. I do like the clear look better.

[oldcouple]

Put the orange bulbs inside the clear lens, best of both worlds.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Amber was the "new" color in the early-mid 60's. I remember my Dad buying some spray to do the front signals on our '55 Belair as an "update"

Yep, Amber didn't come in until somewhere in the 60's. A search says they became standard in the US in 1963 but I don't remember them on anything except European cars before that.

We would either dye the lenses on the inside, dye the bulbs, or buy amber bulbs to put in.

I think the amber lens on a lot of Task Force trucks are just because the owners like the look better on otherwise showroom stock trucks.

[OrrieG]

I think amber became national standard in 1968 or 1969. I remember because that is how we could pick up the cop cars coming up on us, they always had the newest models and the amber lights stood out against all the older clear ones. Not that I had any reason to worry about that...

I am going to use amber on mine, the clear are crazed, and that is what people now are used to looking for.

[ruby57]

Clarance - I have clear lenses in Ruby that change to amber when engaging the turn signal. These LED's snapped right into the standard 1157 connection... they are awesome white driving lights, too! -Doug

Tony Edler
Illumin8s
Phone: (573) 823-1813
See illumin8s on the web at www.globaloverdrive.com

[Highsider]

Cool on Ruby! Never have seen that.

[Clarance J]

Hello Doug and Ruby57. I looked through that webb site. I'm going to put them on my birthday list. I like those led lights. Are they on the back of Ruby57 also.

[ruby57]

I just did the fronts... maybe next year.

Originally Posted by Clarance J

Hello Doug and Ruby57. I looked through that webb site. I'm going to put them on my birthday list. I like those led lights. Are they on the back of Ruby57 also.