'71 Parking Lamp Lenses Clear/Amber?

[Mark H.]

Hey Guys,

My '71 (106001/Jan '71) has clear turn signal lenses that appear original.

I've come to you all for the definitive answer on clear or amber.

I've heard in the past that some late production '71s had amber?

I just read a web site yesterday that said one way to ID a '71 was to look for amber p/l lenses.


Thanx,

Mark

[Chuck S.]

Re: '71 Parking Lamp Lenses Clear/Amber?

Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

From the 70-71 Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide (TIM&JG), 4th Edition: 70-71 use clear lenses and amber bulbs; 72 uses amber lenses with clear bulbs. No exceptions are noted. In my experience, the 70-72 TIM&JG is pretty good for noting any running changes, often with approximate serial number range of the change over. You should get a copy and read it...they are full of invaluable information about 70-72 Corvettes.

For a January car, you'll be pretty safe going with what the TIM&JG says.

[Alan S.]

Re: '71 Parking Lamp Lenses Clear/Amber?

Hi Mark,
My mid-January car # 6589 has clear lenses. In 1972 I put amber lenses on it to make it look like a new car; I don't think anyone ever noticed! Fortunately, I kept the clear lenses.
Regards,
Alan

[Mark H.]

Re: '71 Parking Lamp Lenses Clear/Amber?

Thanx All.

Clear it is for my '71.

I really like the way the '72 Ontario Orange cars look with the orange lenses though.

[Chuck S.]

Re: '71 Parking Lamp Lenses Clear/Amber?

...I really like the way the '72 Ontario Orange cars look with the orange lenses though.

Well, Mark, you can't have originality AND the look you like. But...unless the car is being judged, you should understand that you can install any color lenses you prefer...it's your car. We typically answer questions from the perspective of the car meeting the NCRS standard for judging.

Just remember, however, that some goof may admire your car, then go blab on the internet that 71s have amber lenses. HaHaHa...

[Kenneth T.]

Re: '71 Parking Lamp Lenses Clear/Amber?

I have a late July '71 (7/30/71) with clear lenses so how much later they produced and went to amber I don't know.

[Mark H.]

Re: '71 Parking Lamp Lenses Clear/Amber?

Well, Mark, you can't have originality AND the look you like. But...unless the car is being judged, you should understand that you can install any color lenses you prefer...it's your car. We typically answer questions from the perspective of the car meeting the NCRS standard for judging.

Just remember, however, that some goof may admire your car, then go blab on the internet that 71s have amber lenses. HaHaHa...

Chuck,

First of all... BILL THE CAT Rocks!!! ACK!!!

Second...I'll stay with the clear lenses. It's just been a recurring question elsewhere.

I have the TIM&JM you mentioned. Don't know how I overlooked that particular item.

This really takes the whole "Forum" thing to the next level.

Thanx very much guys.

Mark

[Terry M.]

[Erik S.]

Re: '71 Parking Lamp Lenses Clear/Amber?

In the Netherlands (and probably in other European countries) it is mandatory in order to pass road inspection to change the amber bulbs to white. Maybe your cars have been in Europe some time with the troops overseas. That is what we see here a lot - armed forces bringing their cars to Europe and either ship them back or sell them here before they leave. This may have caused it - unlikely, but do not rule it out completely.

Erik

[Chuck S.]

Re: '71 Parking Lamp Lenses Clear/Amber?

... BILL THE CAT Rocks!!! ACK!!!...

I came up with Bill the Cat during my Avatar War with Dickie Whittington right after the new TDB started up...we kids had to play with the new toy.

In order to get good facial detail, I had to crop a larger picture of Bill sprawled limply on a big rock. It's too bad I had to crop the picture because his posture on the rock is worth a thousand words. Poor ole Bill...He appears totally overmatched by life...tired, confused, frustrated, impotent...and needing a shower; sometimes I feel exactly like that.

Bill the Cat has been my eldest son's icon since middle school...I got the picture from him long ago.