I just bought a 56 Ranch Wagon and noticed that when the headlights are on the parking lights are not.Is this normal or do I need a new head light switch. Oh, I forgot to mention that with the switch pulled halfway out the parking lights are on like you would expect to see.

Durham Missouri

That's normal. With the parking light on, the turn signal isn't as obvious as modern cars when your looking into headlights.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

From Pg 7 in the 1956 Ford Owners Manual which is located here:
http://oldcarbrochures.org/NA/Ford/1956-Ford/1956_Ford_Owners_Manual



Jim
Norfolk, VA

"MABLE"
1956 Thunderbird Green / Brown Interior (ZE-XG)

"MEAN GREEN"
1956 Mainline (FG-BE)

It wasn't until the 1970's  (in the US anyway) that the parking lights also were on when the headlights were turned on.  Prior to that the first position on the light switch was parking lights ONLY, and the second position was headlights ONLY.   It was, I believe, done for safety sake.  With a burned out headlight an oncoming car could easily mistake the auto for a motorcycle and collide with the car, especially if the burnt out headlight was on the driver's side (Left hand drive/US).  Adding the illumination of the parking light gave the oncoming driver a marker for that side of the car in those cases. 

"Padiddle"
And thus, the first Government intrusion into what was a time honored tradition between boys and girls on the way to the Frostop.
If I knew then what I know now...

In Salem, OH (Where me and my first '56 Ford spent a lot of crusin' time - and looking for Padiddles)


Jim
Norfolk, VA

"MABLE"
1956 Thunderbird Green / Brown Interior (ZE-XG)

"MEAN GREEN"
1956 Mainline (FG-BE)

Thanks guys.I read that in the owners manual but wanted to be sure I read it right. We have to have yearly inspections in Missouri so I can now explain it to the shop doing the inspection.

Durham Missouri

It's good to know that Central Illinois  was not the only place where one-headlighted cars were known as "Paddidles".Cars with a taillight out were elediddaps.Paddidles backward.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

In the US, 1968 was the first year that parking lights came on with headlights. It was also the first year for side marker lamps.


~DJ~ AKA "Bleach"
1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 30K original miles