65 convertible dome light mount and location

[fredd65]

redoing my 65 convetbible (i bought it disassembled) and it never came with a dome light...the new harness has an orange and white wire that go behind the convertible top and deck lid...i ordered the dome light assembly...does it mount at the top where the carpet comes up...or maybe on the reinforcement on the underside?...also, from the structure of the assembly it doesn't seem like it would mount flush anywhere unless there was a recess of some sort....any help would be greatly appreciated...and i'd do backflips if someone could send a picture...thanks

 

[61 Silver]

Hi!


I looked up the light location in the 1965 AIM and it shows a light socket riveted to a brace near the rear of the convertible compartment. The light is to the rear of the brace with the rivet entering from the rear of the compartment. It looks to be the same support that the spring system is mounted to, but it is hard to tell by the diagram. I tried to look at mine, but with the hardtop on I couldn't get a look. I plan on removing the hardtop this weekend and raise the convertible top for winter storage. I should be able to take a picture this weekend if you still need it.

I hope this helps

 

[rowingone]

dome lite

I have a 64 and mine is attached to an L shaped bracket that is mounted on the inside rear facing edge of the support bar . . hope that helps!

 

[magicv8]

The one in my 66 was mounted as noted above, but I removed it in favor of a flatter plastic covered lamp assembly after the bulb burned a hole in a clothes bag and tried to start the car on fire.

Exposed bulb is a poor design.

 

[fredd65]

65 convertible dome light

i'm still not sure how this thing mounts...did they originally come with a bulb and socket?...the replacement i got from paragon is a chrome base with opaque lens...it's probaby 2inches by 6 inches...i do think if i mount it to the rear wall, it will get hot up against the carpet and by the design of the base it won't mount flush...still not sure what sort of bracket it might take...and does the bracket hang off the metal reinforcement that is riveted in under the rear?....thanks for any help or diagrams or pictures

 

[Ron Miller]

Sounds like you may have the dome light housing for the coupe rather than a convertable. The convertable is an open bulb mounted pretty well hidden in the rear compartment, while the coupe is as you describe mounted just forward of the top of the rear window.

rlm:cool

 

[JohnZ]

It's exactly the same bulb, socket, and bracket that's used for the front compartment courtesy lights under the dash; the installation is shown in your A.I.M. in UPC 12, Sheet C5. You can use a screw instead of a rivet.