correct back up and license lights for sept 1970 246

Welcome! I have a 69 (obviously) L-series, and my license lights/inboard bumper ends are exactly as you describe yours to be. Under-the-bumper backup lights are also correct for L-series; wish I still had mine- they were lost during bumper replating 3 years ago. If anybody reading this has a lead on the location of a pair, please PM me; they appear to made of unobtainium.

 

As you know, the last "L" series car was S/N 1116 so you have an "L" series car. Assuming your car is consisent with other "L" series cars, it should have Carello license plate lights in the ends of each bumper and Carello reverse lights below each bumper. I've attached pictures for your reference.

Photos copyright Keith Wintraub 2002
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Carello reverse lights were pretty common. The same lights were also used in various places on Alfas, Maseratis, Lambos and probably other Italian cars. Dennis McCann lists the complete assemblies including lenses and rubber for $225 each. There is a different lamp for the left and right sides respectively on an L series car.

The same can be said of Carello license plate lights. I've found them at swap meets in the past (often referred to as Carello frogeyes) and I think good repops are available too.

Seek and ye shall buy.

...Keith

 

same as late 60's alfa spyder, I think.

Try international Auto. www.international-auto.com, probably need to call them, their website can be a little unweildy when you're trying to cross reference ferrari with alfa parts.

DM

 

as much as i am a fan of original design, these lights look silly. yes, i have seen them before, but i think the transition to the later style has a better asthetic appeal. given that, i can't say the same for the other subtle changes in the l series dino's. i wish the e series had the knock off wheels, they definitley have a more pure look than the caps and bolts.

 

The later style license plate lights were mounted in a chrome housing that was attached on the vertical edge of the rear trunk. The power wire to these lights went through a chrome "butt contact" connector on the rear batchboard. This connector is a simple, double flange with a cylindrical cutout in the center for the spring loaded contact. The flange ears typically break off and the connection no longer works, hence the license plate lights do not illuminate.
Has anyone seen replacements?

 

Have y'all seen the pair of license plate lights on eBay with minimum bid of $180? No action yet. Auction closes in less than 5.5 hours.

eBayEbhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260073433366&fromMakeTrack=true

 

Yep! Those are the Carello license plate lights. $180 final bid is quite reasonable.

 

Frank,
I take it that you have the push button release for your deck lid, and that you don't have any license plate illumination now. You might trace your car's wiring to see if the leads have been cut or tucked away. You'll likely need 'em at some point in time.
At any rate, those Carello lights that I referred to previously did not sell and have been relisted with the same $180 opening bid.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260076650176&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNARL:MT:12

You might consider bidding on them. Getting those would be a step in the right direction. As for the original end caps like Keith's & Robert's (any ideas, gents?), I dunno.
Good luck & keep us posted.
Cheers,
Coop

 

So was this winner actually a shill? LSR style?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260073433366

 

Scott,
'interesting supposition. I hadn't noticed that they had 'sold' the first time around. Since I had them on my watch list, eBay automatically sent an email advising that the seller had "relisted" them. Hmmm. Buyer (Bidder) Beware!

Frank,
'glad you located the new parts at Tanner's & didn't bid on the used ones. This is a good reminder that it pays to check the usual sources for new items before getting too wrapped up with eBay.
Did Lyle T. also have the bumper end caps? If not, do you have a lead?
Have fun getting it back together...it would be great to see the end result.

Robert,
There ya go. You were asking about back up light availability: Lyle Tanner.

 

Frank:

It's true; my bumpers have that integral flare. I've attached two additional photos for your reference.

At some point (perhaps at chassis 01250 when they shortened the front bumpers so that the no longer turned into the grill) they also got rid of the flares. The newer bumpers also use a different shaped rubber that slips over a T-shaped ridge when mounted. Early cars like ours used a smaller profile rubber which contains a channel into which a long metal strip is inserted. The rubber is then slipped into the groove, tucked in the flared ends and screwed into from behind. The metal screws grip the thin metal strips in the bumper rubber and pull them tight to the bumpers.

When I restored my car, I had a couple of bumpers which needed "work". Adding a flare and resizing a groove or two is something which I had done by Butch Dennison in the Pacific Northwest and the results were great. Queen City Plating did the bright work and it still looks brand new. Have no fear because time, money and craftsmanship can make them perfect.

...Keith
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Are these on Ebay the same ones?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/USED-ORIG-FERRARI-DINO-246-EARLY-PLATE-LIGHTS_W0QQitemZ140093216832QQcategoryZ140741QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

I had these ones done to my 01248. Maybe I can ask the man who did my ones to make some more if any one is interested.
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