Backup Lights

[54 Kaiser]

This may seem an odd question but, did the 1954 Manhattan come with backup lights? And if yes, where were they mounted and what did they look like?

I can't see any means of them being incorporated into the tail lights. Nor do I see any mounting holes under the bumper or in the rear pan that would allow for mounting.

And of course, I don't see a switch on the column for running them. Might be in the Hydra-matic?

Any advise appreciated.

[mbflemingkf]

52-55 Kaisers commonly used the Guide B-31's mounted on the rear bumper.  You can find them on e-bay from time to time.

[Logan]

Here's a picture of the backup lights on my '53 Dragon (it has '54 tail-lights).

[Gordie]

None of the full size Kaiser's or Frazer's came with back-up lights as standard equipment but they were an accessory that was offered for each year.  Because they were an extra cost item most buyers did not get them and that is why most cars do not have them.  Many restorers try to put every accessory made for their cars on the car and many accessories are hard to find as not too many were sold originally.  The K-F back-up lights were used on other cars too so once you find the correct ones you can start looking for them and Mike's suggestion to look on eBay is a good one and you may try a want ad in our Bulletin.  I have had good luck with the Bulletin ads.

[superk226]

If your car has an automatic transmission in it, the  back up light switch is already there as it is incorporated in the same switch as the neutral safety switch that located on the steering column in the engine compartment. These back up lights were dealer installed and a wire was ran from the steering column switch back to the lights. Larry

[Logan]

I posted a picture of the rear end of my car, and when I put it on it showed up fine.  Now, I have logged back in to the site, and the picture is not showing up for me.  Can the rest of you see the picture?  Does anyone know why it is not working?

[Weaz]

Works fine, Logan. Must have just been down temporarily. 

[mbflemingkf]

Logan, I can't see it either.  Mike

[Gordie]

I can not access it anymore either!

[54 Kaiser]

I don't see the pictures either. Strange.

[Weaz]

And I still do. 

This is strange.

[Logan]

Weird, I wonder what happened?  Here's the link.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2644560310104952847jIgnAn

[54 Kaiser]

Got it and they look good!

Did you drill the bumper for them or is there already a bumper bolt hole in that location?

[Logan]

I did not put the lights in myself as they were original to the car as I believe.  It appears that the bumper was set up for the lights as there is a raised ring on each side that the backup light bolt goes through, and a nut on the bottom that tightens it up.  I don't know if that ring means it was a different bumper than one without backup lights, or if the dealer drilled a hole and attached it.  Anyone know the answer to this?

[54 Kaiser]

FWIW, there is a company in the Nederlands that sells what appear to be reproduction Guide B-31's.

Look here if the link works: http://www.zodiac.nl/en/catalog/bbook36/04.pdf

Page 2. Further down the same page they sell 4 different coloured lenses for them. I asked about anyone in america carrying their products and there is one. But the company only carries them in red.