Tail light recommendations

BigIrish · Jan 13, 2011

Kind of struggling with what kind of tail lights to put on the back of this thing. I think the rear is too wide to hang lights on the outside of the body, so need something that would look nice on/in the rear panel. It want it to look simple and racerish, not something that looks like it belongs on a kustom (no 59 caddy lights, ford teardrop lights etc).

Any ideas?

dmw56 · Jan 13, 2011

How about something like a 48 Chevy tail light.

Or 50 Pontiac.

Blue Eyed Devil · Jan 13, 2011

Hard to go wrong with a '50 Pontiac...

BigIrish · Jan 13, 2011

dmw56 said:
Or 50 Pontiac.

Perfect!! I think 4 of those, 2 on each side arranged vertically would look nice. I could use 2 for brakes, 2 for turn signals.

patina · Jan 23, 2011

What about model a tail lights ??? mounted flush

hot-rod-rat-rod-scta-1932-tail-lights-and-stands_250528928288.jpg

BigIrish · Jan 23, 2011

patina said:
What about model a tail lights ???

I mocked some of those up, but I think they stick out too far.

I got my 50 Pontiac lights in, but they are quite a bit bigger than I thought they would be. Struggling with the arrangement. Here are some options, just duck taped them up.

Which is the best?? I'm leaning towards a single light, but then I would need some additional smaller lights for turn signals.

Also going to have a racing number on the back

dmw56 · Jan 23, 2011

I like photo #1. If the lights are single pole get some dual pole turn/stop light sockets and convert them. I did that with the tail lights on my 34.

48fordnut · Jan 23, 2011

photo #1

BigIrish · Jan 23, 2011

How do I know if they are dual pole, and what does that mean exactly? I really don't understand how the same bulb can function as a brake and turn signal. Maybe when I get my rebel wire kit and instructions I'll understand it.

They take a dual-filament bulb and the wiring guide says one wire is for stop/turn, other for parking light.

Sam_Fear · Jan 23, 2011

Missed this thread.... darn. I woulda suggested light housings from an old boat.

Anyhow, single brake/signal is all in how the turn signal switch is set up.

Dual pole - Two contacts in the bottom of the socket for a dual filament bulb.

Photo #1 also.

dmw56 · Jan 23, 2011

Single pole-one contact point on the bulb. Used for stop and tail lights, single filament #1156.
Double pole, two contact points on bulb, 2 filaments for turn signal, stop lights and tail lights, # 1157.

BigIrish · Jan 23, 2011

Cool, I'm in business then. They take 1157.

Sniper · Jan 24, 2011

Taillight placement, either picture #1 or #4.

VonHyde · Jan 25, 2011

i like 1, but i think you could have gone with some on the outside of the body

BigIrish · Jan 25, 2011

Well I'm just not happy with the '50 lights so I'm going another route. These are similar but much smaller. Breaking my own "no LED lights on old cars" rule, but they look vintage enough. Less than 2" in diameter. I'll have 2 brake and 1 amber turn light on each side, arranged vertically.

I want it to look like some of the old road race cars that had tiny lights, as if they were only put there to satisfy some official or rule.

doggone · Jan 25, 2011

Have you look at 58 chevy car taillights....

oldskool · Jan 25, 2011

just for kicks you might check out some of what is available for aftermarket motorcycles, like vtwin or dennis kirk or jp cycles. if nothing else some sleek turn signals

earthman · Jan 25, 2011

I like a single stoplight in the middle with the stop script on it for the old time look. It becomes the focal point and the tail light/turn signals are less critical.

BigIrish · Jan 26, 2011

earthman said:
I like a single stoplight in the middle with the stop script on it for the old time look. It becomes the focal point and the tail light/turn signals are less critical.

Yeah, I like the single light as well. Maybe one '50 light in the middle like #4 and the small lights in the lower corners for turn signals.

I will experiment whenever these other lights come in. Hurry up UPS!!

Blue Eyed Devil · Jan 26, 2011

I think you nailed it with the first pic. They are properly spaced and well proportioned IMO. The other lights might be a little different in person, but they seem a little "truck stop" to me, and don't fit your build. Then again, I share your "non-LED" sentiment as well.

Tail light recommendations

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