Marker lens mystery - What is this?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I ordered a pair of red marker lenses off E-bay. One has all the correct markings, including "Guidex".

The other has the "GIT SAE PIA 68" (edit: likely "G1T), which is correct, but no "Guidex". In addition to that it reads "Made in Canada" along one ridge of the face, and "Made in Canada-Trim" on the other.

So...........Other than this isn't what came in the box, have you seen this or thoughts? I imagine there was contract between GM and the Canadians, sometime after birth of truck. These may have come on the vans, I think 80ish.

The back read the same, only Made in Canada Vs Made in USA. Same part numbers (5960596)........Yes they're different than the box #......Or at least the ones I've seen.

[70cst]

ttt

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Off topic, what's a good rubber foam gasket adhesive, for things like a marker lens, evap. box etc? The GM assembly manual reads "cement" as a general term. At least for the evap. box it does. Thank you

[dazza]

If I remember right, sometimes Guide was abbreviated with just a G.

After the G is more than likely a 1 not an I. 1 = Chevrolet

The T = Truck

SAE = Sociecty of Auto Engineers

PIA, again here your I is a 1. P1A = Side marker

68 = hmmm, yes 1968

G1T SAE P1A 68

I'm almost certain that is correct, I'll have a look to see if I can dig up the info I have for them. BTW, is the colored (red or amber side, not including the backside the bulb goes in) one piece or two?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Good info. I was stumped on the GIT Vs G1T............Being 1=Chevrolet, does that mean GMC used a different lens?

The face on a standard lens is two pieces fixed onto the rear plate. I suspect they just snap into place. One of these days I'll attack one of my old rejects just to see.

Interesting to note, the part number on the plate is the same amber or red. Come to think of it, that may be the part # for the plate as opposed the marker itself.

Thanks dazza.

[dazza]

Yes, GMC was different and then broken down into groups of years. I think like most of the 50's and then like early/late 60's and 70's.

I ask about the two piece because some years back I bought a box of them, like 20 pairs for a really great price on eBay. Everything including the numbers are correct, he said they were NOS and from the looks of them, I agree. I sold a few pair here on the forum and somebody pointed out to me the only difference was that the lens was one piece. Something I didn't realize because my originals were in a box somewhere in the garage. Maybe GM had them reproduced in later years, I don't know.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Off topic, what's a good rubber foam gasket adhesive, for things like a marker lens, evap. box etc? The GM assembly manual reads "cement" as a general term. At least for the evap. box it does. Thank you

3M caulk strips is what I used for sealing my heater box to the firewall. I am also going to use them for sealing the rear wheel houses to the bed floor when I get to that point.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Prior to receipt of this "NOS" made in Canada, I was made aware of some "NOS seconds" marker lenses. I've never seen a pair in person, but on the surface they're very similar. Dollars to donuts they DO NOT have the correct markings. You can find these on Ebay. They come in white boxes and sport two GM part numbers, one for the early version (our trucks) and one for the later version (post 1972)..........which brings me to.........

You got me very curious about a single fitted lens. I've seen these lenses before (915108 & 915119), but until now didn't realize the lens was one piece. Apparently the later versions (i.e., sometime post 1972) had the single lens, while our originals were two pieces.............These (see link) are likely what you had dazza........Learn something new every day.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-GM-71-81...9WgxDs&vxp=mtr

[davepl]

Now imagine if you were restoring a Canadian truck and wanted to get only Canadian NOS parts for the restoration.

Then you'd know how it felt to restore my Canada-only 2+2. Some parts are that rare (and for some really rare high-model only stuff, much worse), simple because some parts were only for Canada, like these tail lights were originally intended (unless it was a global supplier located in Canada, but I doubt it).

So enjoy the cornucopia of US NOS stuff, because going the other way would be like less than 10% of the supply!

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Holy GM Canadian built truck/genuine Canadian NOS parts Batman?..................Didn't realize the nature of their existence.

I bought an OEM rear license plate frame recently, it's marked built in Canada. I figured it was simply a common international contract for GM-built trucks, but there may be more to it.

Sure is "fun" retracing the past.........And that's just 45 years. Imagine what it's like to be an archaeologist.

[dazza]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

You got me very curious about a single fitted lens. I've seen these lenses before (915108 & 915119), but until now didn't realize the lens was one piece. Apparently the later versions (i.e., sometime post 1972) had the single lens, while our originals were two pieces.............These (see link) are likely what you had dazza........Learn something new every day.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-GM-71-81...9WgxDs&vxp=mtr

Yep, thats what they look like. I'm going to check the numbers on mine when I get back to my truck.

I found the info regarding the numbers for you...

Lots of info here...

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[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by dazza

Yep, thats what they look like. I'm going to check the numbers on mine when I get back to my truck.

I found the info regarding the numbers for you...

Lots of info here...

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Bookmarked, thank you.

May be something of interest.... Other than one pair, every NOS tail light lens I've seen are marked 67. Some folks suggest that's all there is. Feel free to chime in, but the tail lenses on my 71 read 71. I don't have the other markings handy, but they're definitely GM lenses. I also found a pair of NOS marked 71, from an estate sale.

There was an old rule of thumb the year on the tale lens told the year of the vehicle......Since then I've learned that's likely BS.