Is anyone familiar with those opera (somebody told me they were "landau") lights situated in the pillars between the front and rear doors? How do you go about getting to those light bulbs? Do you have to thru the pillars on the inside or do you pop off the plastic cover to the bulb? Or am I wrong on both counts? Or should I even bother?

Originally used on horse drawn carriages, they were attached to the center pillar or quarter panel to light the area surrounding the door (and step) at the cab entrance.

Since the thirties, they have been used for decoration only.


There is no relationship between Opera Lights and Landau irons.

On some horse-drawn carriages, a folding top, called a landau, was used. The design was carried over to the early cars, along with the irons that were the only external parts of the mechanism.

Some of the early manufacturers used "decorative" (read fake) "landau bars", on Coupes and Sedans.

Landaus have not been used since the early thirties. but the faux bars were brought back during the sixties.


Words I live by. Whatever is there, should function properly. External lights however, are a legal issue and should be dealt with, accordingly.

Here would be the best place to start.

Norm