My friend in Santiago, Chile is restoring a '40 4dr. The police there are strict about the need for reverse/back-up lights on all vehicles (including old ones). Anyone have any experience with this? What light fixtures would look ok on the back end? How much of a problem to hook up to the reverse linkage or should he just install a switch? Thank you.

In 1940 the accessory B.U. switch was controlled by a switch under the lip of the dash. The light looked like a 1932 Chevrolet cowl light. It can be mounted to the bumper bracket on the left side..

Chevgene, exactly the info that I needed. Thank you.

If you search ebay for Guide B-31 you will find the style you seek.

Jack, thanks for this additional info. I checked with Ebay re "Guide B-31". They are unable to identify. Pls, can you supply add'l input.

Guide B-31 back-up lights were used on 1947 and 1948 Chrvy passenger cars. It has a chrome plated body. Other GM makes also used the Guide B-31 back-up lights ( I think Buick and Caddy and ? )
1940 Chevies used a similar Guide back-up light only the body is painted car color and the 1940 back-up light is a smaller light than the 1947-1948. In 1940, the wire goes thru the center hole in the mounting stud. Ebay in the past several months have been listing 1940 Chevy back-up lights, however just be aware that they are a reproductions. They would work on a 1940 Chevy but the mounting base is totally incorrect.
There are occasionally the correct Delco-Remy back-up light toggle switches also on ebay, however, they usually go for $150+.

Fred,
Try this link by clicking on it.You might need to highlight it and click on open webpage pop up box.
There is a couple with funny orange lenses ,and a pair without
lenses,

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/__?_from=R40&_trksid=p3841.m39.l1313&_nkw=guide++b-31&_sacat=

Fred,
Also checkout this item on ebay motors.
Item number 250453305091

Good evening. I think I have a Guide B-31 light in the garage. I'll check tomorrow. Oh wait, it's already tomorrow - didn't realize it's after midnight already...

BTW - concerning the backup light, my 39 Chevy accessories book says the housing is black like the one listed on Ebay. Was it left black or was it painted to match the car color?

Hi Ralph,
I think it would have been left up to the customer, some would have painted them the same color as the rest of the car and had every thing external matching.

The 1940 Chevrolet Data Book is a 138 page booklet 8.5" x 11". On page #83 of the 1940 Chevrolet Accessory Data Book it says the following about the 1940 Chevy back-up light:

The lamp is finished in black with a chrome rim, but may be painted to match the car.

dtm

Fred - I'm going to send you a private message about the light I have. I can probably also get it to Bogota very cheaply as I have colleagues at the American embassy there.

Hi Fred, I tried to send an email to the address in your profile but it was rejected. Here's mine if you want to email me back so I can send you some pictures of the light I have.

Ralph_Lankfordhotmail.com

By the way, I see I keep referring to your friend being in Bogota and he's actually in Santiago. Well, I have a colleague there too. In fact I have colleagues at about 135 different American embassies. Really makes the term "going global" come alive! Happy 4th of July! Ralph