1969 Rally Sport Parking Lamp Lens with Bright Trim Ring PN 5961469

[Edgemontvillage]

The 1969 RS parking lamp lens with the stainless trim ring was discontinued some time in the early 1969 production year. From what I have read this change may have occurred in December, 1968. The service replacement example in the photo is missing the argent paint trim around the inside vertical perimeter of the lens which was found on assembly line originals. As with other early production parts despite specification changes some continued in assembly line use until parts inventories were exhausted. A good example of this was the "shorty" trunk spoiler which despite being discontinued in December/January was installed on some February (and later?) cars. I am trying to determine the latest date these bright trim RS parking lamps were used in assembly line production at Norwood or Van Nuys?     

[william]

The reference to "bright accented parking lamps" was deleted as of the January 2, 1969 rev to the US dealer ordering info. Still there for Canada but maybe just an oversight.

Depends on how the revision was managed. Parking lamps were received at the plants as an assembly. That means there was finished goods inventory at each plant, in transit, and at the source. The source also had RS lenses in process. Materials decides on the disposition of all of it. They may have used up on hand inventory and diverted the remainder to service stock. Or they may have decided to consume all of it in production. One day they are building RS cars with standard lamps, next day a shipment of RS lamps arrives and they use those. Like the 68/69 spoilers, either could have been used for a period of time. Tough to reverse-engineer.

FWIW my NOR 02B RS had tired but OE standard lenses when I bought it in '83. I added NOS lenses with the trim.

[JohnZ]

My 02D Norwood '69 Z/28 (non-RS, but an X33 car with Z21) was mis-built with the bright-accented parking lights; it also has the "short" spoiler.

[ZLP955]

John, is it possible to be sure the parking lights are original to the car?

[william]

My 02D Norwood '69 Z/28 (non-RS, but an X33 car with Z21) was mis-built with the bright-accented parking lights; it also has the "short" spoiler.

In my planner days if a change such as this was dispositioned "use existing stock" RS would not matter as they were no longer standard equipment. They would be used on whatever came down the line.

Rear spoilers were received at the plant painted and could not be diverted to service inventory. They had to be consumed in production. 18 colors means 18 potentially different phase-in dates for the '69. My 02B Hugger Orange Z/28 was built with a '69. Vintage photos of ZL1 #3 [02D Daytona Yellow] show it was built with a '68.

[Edgemontvillage]

My 02D Norwood '69 Z/28 (non-RS, but an X33 car with Z21) was mis-built with the bright-accented parking lights; it also has the "short" spoiler.

In my planner days if a change such as this was dispositioned "use existing stock" RS would not matter as they were no longer standard equipment. They would be used on whatever came down the line.

Rear spoilers were received at the plant painted and could not be diverted to service inventory. They had to be consumed in production. 18 colors means 18 potentially different phase-in dates for the '69. My 02B Hugger Orange Z/28 was built with a '69. Vintage photos of ZL1 #3 [02D Daytona Yellow] show it was built with a '68.

Thanks William, my 2B Norwood built Hugger Orange RS Z/28 has an assembly line installed shorty spoiler however as the front sheet metal and possibly the lens trim is not original due to an early-life collision I am trying to determine if it could have come with the bright trim lens as John H's did.   

[william]

Hmmm... was this the N596xxx car found in NY?

[Edgemontvillage]

Hmmm... was this the N596xxx car found in NY?

That's right.

[william]

Mine was N596947-very close and a near twin. 72 72 712 U17 [6/8], standard hood, manual steering, no posi. I added some options.

Still around somewhere.

[Steve Shauger]

I've seen an original car as late as 3B build with a short spoiler, but that was the latest.

[rich69rs]

My 01C 69 RS; N581767 has front parking lamps without the trim.  As far as I know (can tell) they appear to be original to the car.