A hidden lens retaining bracket was originally on all 1941 Chevrolet / GMC trucks. It holds the glass frosted lens firmly against the front of the park light housing.
After it’s over 80 plus years, the lens gasket has deteriorated, water has entered the housing, and this stamped steel bracket is rusted beyond use. Thus, so many 1941 truck owners are not aware that they existed.
General Motors made this sheet metal retaining bracket with no concern of it being rusted beyond use in 80 years!
The attached photos show a rusty but usable bracket in place still holding the lens in position. In this case, there are just a few pieces of the lens gasket still in position. The hole in the bracket allows for the threaded die-cast extensions to hold a screw that secures to the top of the park light assembly.
Trivia: To save tooling money on the new 1941 truck, GM used the total park light assembly from the year before on the 1940 Pontiac car! Just another example of the GM truck division often given “pass-me-downs” from their cars of prior years. After all, trucks were for work and they did not need to be totally new each year to haul merchandise.
Surprise: Jim Carter Truck Parts is having this bracket reproduced. It will not be a money maker, however it seems it should be available for the 1941 owners.
The Support Clip
The Support Clip in Place