Questions about NYPD grille lights

I once saw a restored NYPD 1973 Plymouth Fury, and I noticed it had two flashing red lights under the grille. I have two questions: 1. What brand and model of lights did the NYPD use for their grille lights in the 70s, and 2. How did they mount them under the grille?

 

[tsquale]

My assumption would be something made by Signal-Stat in that time period, but that is simply a guess.

 

[dmathieu]

I'd say Signal Stat Cyclo-Stat 4" lollipops. Single faced, single wire, single contact socket.

 

[JohnMarcson]

I'd say Signal Stat Cyclo-Stat 4" lollipops. Single faced, single wire, single contact socket.

I would agree. There are a few issues with reproduction of NYPD stuff

• There are "show car" reproductions that used "close enough" or "street legal" equipment.
  • An example is the wrong sealed beam color or type
• NYPD repaired things and they came back in a different state than they were issued.
  • An example would be the sequence of the red/white sealed beams in the aerotwin
• The NYPD standard vs. the "one example" that we can find
  • Sometimes there is more documentation of "the odd equipment out" than the standard
• Number of vehicles causing ordering differences
  • Both FDNY and NYPD had to take what they could get into stock sometimes
  • As recently as COVID FDNY was running a partial fleet of rented/loaner ambulances of a different type and setup than their standard.
  • If the grill trim differed within a lot of vehicles this could change grill light options, especially if a grounding surface wasn't present in the same spot.
    • You see the grill lights centered on the grill "post" and mounted off to the sides, which appears to be trim package dependant

So I would say signal stat lights of the right size and shape would be a solid bet and more than close enough

 

[Night Patrolman]

I would agree. There are a few issues with reproduction of NYPD stuff

• There are "show car" reproductions that used "close enough" or "street legal" equipment.
  • An example is the wrong sealed beam color or type
• NYPD repaired things and they came back in a different state than they were issued.
  • An example would be the sequence of the red/white sealed beams in the aerotwin
• The NYPD standard vs. the "one example" that we can find
  • Sometimes there is more documentation of "the odd equipment out" than the standard
• Number of vehicles causing ordering differences
  • Both FDNY and NYPD had to take what they could get into stock sometimes
  • As recently as COVID FDNY was running a partial fleet of rented/loaner ambulances of a different type and setup than their standard.
  • If the grill trim differed within a lot of vehicles this could change grill light options, especially if a grounding surface wasn't present in the same spot.
    • You see the grill lights centered on the grill "post" and mounted off to the sides, which appears to be trim package dependant

So I would say signal stat lights of the right size and shape would be a solid bet and more than close enough

Wow, very informative! Thank you very much; this is the first time the founder of this great site has responded to one of my posts!

 

[NPS Ranger]

Back in the day many/most grille and rear deck lights were similar. You can still buy them if you're into that retro cop car / gypsy cab look:

Signal-Stat, Incandescent, Red Round, 1 Bulb, Single Face, 1 Wire, Pedestal Light, 1 Stud, Gray, Stripped End

 

[Night Patrolman]

Back in the day many/most grille and rear deck lights were similar. You can still buy them if you're into that retro cop car / gypsy cab look:

Signal-Stat, Incandescent, Red Round, 1 Bulb, Single Face, 1 Wire, Pedestal Light, 1 Stud, Gray, Stripped End

Nice! I wonder if they offer those in blue as well.

 

[ccsd834]

Don't think they still make them in blue, but they do make blue replacement lenses for them: https://www.truck-lite.com/9016b.html

If not, you can always buy the new red and replace with the new blue lens.

 

[Night Patrolman]

Don't think they still make them in blue, but they do make blue replacement lenses for them: https://www.truck-lite.com/9016b.html

If not, you can always buy the new red and replace with the new blue lens.

OK, good. Just thought I'd ask because I plan on restoring a 77/78 Plymouth Fury police car, and those grille lights are among the items I need to finish the car. I also recently posted a want thread for a PA1000 Siracom, but no one responded to that.

 

[CHIEFOPS]

"spec'd" grill lights would be the same brand as the rear deck and trunk lamps. In-house/field upfits would be repurposed deck and trunk lamps.
They could conceivably be Signal-Stat, Grote, Dietz....