Front fender lamps on 220S Ponton

[Fairview]

I’ve got a lighting question. On a 1958 220S sold new in the US with beehive lamps beneath the headlights, what is the function of the top front fender lamps? On the one in the photo, which seems to be a very original unmessed with example, the light does not come on with either the parking lamp setting or the turn signal.

Taking the lens off, there is a tiny bulb that illuminates with the headlight switch turned counterclockwise, selecting either right or left with the dashboard toggle switch. There is also an empty socket more aft, but there is no evidence of a bulb ever having been installed, and there is no wire running to the terminal for the socket.

The beehive shaped lamp under the headlamp illuminates with the parking light setting, and for turn signaling.

So with the US cars, does the top fender lamp not actually do much? Seems a missed opportunity.

Thanks

[801mbz]

nice car the left right parking light was for parking on the street over night small bulbs for low draw on the battery

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by 801mbz

nice car the left right parking light was for parking on the street over night small bulbs for low draw on the battery

Certain countries required these before Euro traffic regulations were homologated to make them similar.


Plus, some people, especially dealers, added some strange lights to the 220 series cars.


I have seen one from Turkey where the front bumper was very solid and had 12 inch finials, like flag poles, coming out of the end of each "flag pole." At the top of each little flag pole was an amber light.


I also remember seeing cars in 1946 Norway that had a single small amber light glowing when the car was turned on.


Later, I think this turned into the always-on lights in Scandinavia, who knows?


My 1997 Volvo 960 has a control to change these to "always-on" or "on by command."

[Fairview]

Thanks for the input. I actually used the clearance light the other evening while street parking to run into my office for a couple minutes. Who would have guessed?

There is still the empty second light socket in the assemblies that I could run a wire to for additional parking or running lights. I’ll think about trying it, and it is easily reversible if it turns out to be a dumb idea.

Here’s a better photo of the 220.

Best to all.

[rumb]

Sweet car! There is a forum for pontons: Mercedes-Benz Pontons (1953-1962) © www.mbzponton.org They probably know more.

[Benz Dr.]

Originally Posted by rumb

Sweet car! There is a forum for pontons: Mercedes-Benz Pontons (1953-1962) © www.mbzponton.org They probably know more.

I have a '59 220SE Cab in right nowand we had to fix all of the lights on it. There's a running light and a signal light on the spear along with the bee hive signal light down below the head light. Both should flash at thesame time.