Federal Signal Model 18 lenses

Good afternoon,
I inherited an automobile with two Federal Signal, Model 18, red lights on the front of the car. (Long story) Anyway, since they face forward, they can't be used but some well meaning but over zealous police officers don't believe they should even be mounted. This has lead to me having black vinyl hoods made for them. Not surprisingly, they don't look great with their hoods tied on.
I have never been able to find for sale, or even a record of the existence of, clear or yellow lenses for this model. Is it possible to have new lenses made and does anyone have a suggestion where to have that done? I suspect the lenses are actually red glass so I don't think the color can be stripped out.
Honestly, any advice would be helpful. Oh, and no, I can't just remove the lights. That is part of the long story. The lights gotta stay.
Andrew

 

[shues]

Welcome to eLightbars!

 

[bpollard]

Welcome to this site.

There are many good people here that will help you in any way possible.

If you could provide some form of pictorial documentation of your project that would help.

Also, I can only speak for myself but I would venture to say that the folks that hang out here don't mind "long stories" at all. Quite the opposite in fact.

In other words, the more you share the more help you will get.


I look forward to your response!

Bob

 

[NPS Ranger]

There is a member named SaschaUE on here who has restored a couple of Model 18's to showroom condition. He is in Germany but maybe if you send him a PM he might have some tips.

 

[awejr]

Welcome to this site.

There are many good people here that will help you in any way possible.

If you could provide some form of pictorial documentation of your project that would help.

Also, I can only speak for myself but I would venture to say that the folks that hang out here don't mind "long stories" at all. Quite the opposite in fact.

In other words, the more you share the more help you will get.


I look forward to your response!

Bob

Bob,
Thank you. Attached are pictures of the lights on the car and of the name plate on top. So, the story, then. Back in 1965, my slightly eccentric father lost all common sense and purchased a new Mercedes 600. The car was (and is) spectacular. One of the things he always did to every car he owned was to add red and blue emergency lights to his cars. He thought there looked cool and he was right. Whether on his Suburban, the VW wagon or any of the others, the cars had a distinct coolness about them. He wasn't a policeman or a fireman although he was a proud supporter of his local volunteer firefights. He also collected antique firetrucks. He liked things with shiny flashing lights. Don't we all? Everywhere he lived, he was a known factor and despite the laws, the local police never bothered to concern themselves with the forward facing red lights on his cars. They knew him well enough to know he wasn't going to play fireman. The last place he lived in Florida was not as understanding and insisted he remove the red lights. He refused and instead had black leatherette hoodies made for the lights. These soothed the law but never looked quite right.
A couple of years ago, after he went to his reward, I inherited the MB600. Now, I can use the same hoodies to hide the red lights or I can remove them entirely. My spoiled brat problem is that I think they look good on the car and I grew up with these things on the car. They are part of my memories of my father...the lights, not the hoodies.
So, I need to either find clear lenses for these lights, have clear lenses made or find clear lights with the same basic shape and size. I am having no luck with any of these so I have come here to this forum seeking wisdom and insight.

 

[awejr]

There is a member named SaschaUE on here who has restored a couple of Model 18's to showroom condition. He is in Germany but maybe if you send him a PM he might have some tips.

Thank you!

 

[Maxim2Eng]

Welcome! Love the 18s on the MB limo! Worthy indeed!
If you are handy, there is an option to make clear or amber replacement lens using the original glass lens for a mold. The process can be intimidating, but this video should give you some ideas:

Here’s another video from another company recreating headlight lenses.

Good luck, and keep us posted on you progress!

P.S. Love the Maxim S pumper in the background!

 

[marslights_IL]

Be advised the red lenses for the model 18 are very thin, fragile, and rare. I purchased a model 18 without a lens and took a long time to find one. Also, it was very pricey ($100+). To create a retrofit, the glass would have to be thin, unlike most lenses. Hope this helps.

 

[awejr]

Welcome! Love the 18s on the MB limo! Worthy indeed!
If you are handy, there is an option to make clear or amber replacement lens using the original glass lens for a mold. The process can be intimidating, but this video should give you some ideas:

Here’s another video from another company recreating headlight lenses.

Good luck, and keep us posted on you progress!

P.S. Love the Maxim S pumper in the background!

I am many things but handy isn't one of them. Now I know it is at least possible to have new lenses made. Thank you.
I love driving the Maxim too. Easy to drive and fits through most drive-thrus.

 

[awejr]

Be advised the red lenses for the model 18 are very thin, fragile, and rare. I purchased a model 18 without a lens and took a long time to find one. Also, it was very pricey ($100+). To create a retrofit, the glass would have to be thin, unlike most lenses. Hope this helps.

Thank you! This is important and I'll keep it in mind if I have to find someone to make them....which is probably going to be required.