Customs Tail light options for a 55 Ford?

You would have to do some measuring but 1963 Falcon taillights look cool and probably wouldn't have to modify too much. HRP

 

If you are in the area check out Buds salvage in Aline Ok lots of old cars might get some ideas

 

Any idea what this set up is?

 

1954 Olds tail lights. HRP

 

60 Buick?

 

I just measured the inside diameter and it is 5.450".

I am wondering if a 1960 Pontiac lens would be close?

 

59 Buick

 

I believe you are the winner!!

 

I like the Merc ones the best. Surprised no one has suggested recessing '59 cad lites.

 

No, saw it on a 56 wagon this weekend. I think they were screwed on by drilling the stock 56 lenses and using the 2 Olds screws. The chrome appearance rings were removed from the Ford lenses. Didn’t see it move or stop but I would have cut out the center of the Fords so the light would be brighter that trying to show through 2 red lenses..

 

Edsel Wagon:

 

This might get a tailgaters attention. https://autoplicity.com/2319183-grote-turn-lamp-7-yellow-wa?utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping feed&utm_content=free google shopping clicks

 

Too small.
I love the Mercs, but I am a cheapskate.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DODGE-FUL-...488590?hash=item5b7268b4ce:g:QcYAAOSwrGpelPb4I have always liked these.

 

You know how this will end.

 

I have 60 Buick taillights on my camper. HRP

 

The overarching issue is time. We would like to make the 2021 Custom Car Revival. We have to draw a line in the sand somewhere, but we also won't be at this point again.

 

Personally Packard taillights are almost becoming the new '59 Caddy taillights for over use. Nothing very novel about using them anymore.

 

There’s a reason people use them. They look good. I guess I could graft some 1989 Dodge Caravan lenses in there. No one uses those.

 

Lot's of things look good. There is a reason the use of Packard lenses skyrocketed as soon as reproductions were available because they were cheap and easy to get exactly what happened when the Cadillac lenses became available. Like I originally said, my opinion they have become an easy fall back and for that reason have become used far too often.

 

I hear ya. I still like em. I just don’t know if I wanna tackle the work to use them.

 

I like them as well but for me somethings almost become cliche from over use like Buick side trim on '49-51 Merc's it looks good but has been done to death.

 

Yep. I try not to mimic other people's cars, but the wife is driving this boat. She says "she doesn't give a **** about people she will probably never meet". Insert Imitation=flattery cliche here. She likes what she likes.

 

The Packards will require some fairly involved bodywork... and they don't look good on every car. Like K13 says, they're a bit of a cliché. Most of the easy, semi-bolt-on solutions have been brought up already.

Ford had a brief affair with 'tunneled' taillights in the late '50s/early '60s, and tunneling is a nice custom touch that won't be as hard to do as the Packards. I'll repeat; look at '58-59 T-bird lenses, and the mounting bases if you can find them. The '63 Fairlane has a very interesting taillight that looks cool when lit. Small lens, but scrounge up a pair of reflectors and cut them down. You don't need perfect reflectors, a lot are dented on the edges but you'll cut that off. Another choice could be the '65 Falcon 'gunsight' lenses (don't get the wagon/Ranchero versions). Again, designed to be tunneled. Another design is the '61-63 T-birds. All of these lenses are available new, most of the attaching bits can be found used. None will be bolt-ons, but also shouldn't require extensive reshaping of the quarterpanel like the Packards will.

Dare to be different....

 

Steve, a lot of the tail lights you mention are huge. I get the tunneled idea, but her train of thought is either leave the stock tail lights in or make an elegant design change. I appreciate the different sides of the coin though. Lots of food for thought.

 

Not as large as you think... You would likely need to discard the OEM '55 bezels and use either a fabricated one or the larger '56 Ford piece. I know the '58-59 Bird lenses would fit, as would the '63 Fairlane after cutting the reflector/backplate down. The Falcon lenses might need to be cut slightly but I doubt it. The '61-63 Bird lenses would probable need t*******, but the outer 3/4" is basically just a 'filler' piece.

If you're keeping the OEM front turns signals, the Falcon would mimic their design.

The problem with the mid-'50s Ford lenses is they used that damn 'chrome plastic' trim that inevitably discolors and/or falls off...

 

One last idea, quick and cheap.... Discard the stock lens, cut a circle of perforated metal in the pattern/finish of your choice (SS or even br***), then install a '50 Pontiac right in the middle...