Hot Rods So different...taillights

Let’s have a show of pics of our old trucks mainly but cars as well outfitted with other makes or aftermarket taillights , that just put the icing on the cake so to speak.

 

That's like pinnin' the tail on the...well, pickup!

 

Yep. Hoping to get some cohesive ideas out of this . There is always this but ....

 

Please avoid using '59 Caddy lights. Way overdone.

 

......That's funny. I was just gonna say the exact same thing.

 

I have a set of ‘59 Caddies with the red lens , I bought years ago for another project and was going to compliment with a set of ‘59 Caddy with clear lenses but I want it all something different but cool looking.

 

This would not be a good look on a ‘48 “Effie” but I may use this for a third brake light out the bottom of the rear window.

 

I have a set of ‘59 Caddies with the red lens , I bought years ago for another project and was going to compliment with a set of ‘59 Caddy with clear lenses but I want it all.

Caddy lights exhibit no imagination or creativity. Zero thinking req'd. That's why they are used so often.
PLEASE don't ruin your nice truck with them. Spend some time doing some research.
Maybe 49 Buick lights turned sideways. Horizontal lights will make your truck look wider and even lower.

Look here and in old custom magazines.
https://www.taillightking.com/29-49BUICK.htm

Figure out a way to install tailights in the rear bumper and leave the fenders nice an smooth.

 

I did see a pic of someone used ‘50 Ford car lights. Did look good but my first thought was maybe a little taller in height. I do not want some run of the mill look. What I have is some ‘37 Ford lights , some old round housing “tractor “ lights, 1950 Pontiac lights, ‘66 Lemans lights and the ‘59 Caddy lights. I could use what I have but 90% sure I don’t want to. I had a quick thought of ‘50 Poncho taillights and find some clear lenses for’50 Poncho lights for reverse then stack them but ...,

 

I had a 1940 Plymouth business coupe with cut outs like lightening bolts and hand dabbed lenses and light buckets. A tad too street roddy

 

Forget the lights you already have. Think out of the box and use lights from other
cars, like Packard, Willys, Hudson and vintage lights that match the curve of your fenders but,
don't look gaudy or out of place..

 

The truck is in pieces for paint right now but this is earlier in the project.
61 Oldsmobile Starfire lights.

 

48 Plymouth tail lights?
Tear drop lights?
70s Duster? Sorry its so small.
Full custom? The RAM was cut out of the metal and has a light fixture behind it. Gene

 

The guy who bought my 51 Merc took out the tunneled/ deeply frenched 59 Caddy Bullets and used 56 Chevy lenses. I had to admit that it gave a real nice look to it.

My tail lights are not what anyone wants to see on here but will be one of the changes.
The only thing about sticking the tail lights in the fenders of most step side trucks is that unless the person following you is directly behind you they may only see one light.

 

Interestingly

 

Yes that is a concern of mine as well. Maybe they will see this at a stop. The only other options I can think of is mounting at the rear of the bed or adding lights in the top bed roll.

 

'59 Caddy bullets are "overdone"???
Doesn't that make them the single most TRADITIONAL taillight it's possible to use?

 

I realize the thread is about "different" tail lights but I don't think something is over done if you do it on your build because that is the look you want. If those are the lights that look good on that truck it doesn't matter how many times it's been done before. If something is right it is still right no matter how many people do it. It may not be unique but it is still right. What is not right is to do something just to be different. If something has not been done by now there is probably a reason. Are there too many flathead powered black '32 highboys?

 

'63 Chevy lenses on my '60 F100. They fit right in the hole. Just had to drill two screw holes. The trim rings are made from, and I **** you not, the lip cut off from a stainless steel cat food bowl I bought at the grocery store.

 

Creativity and that little something different.​

 

Your right . I am trying to get ideas toward a custom but balanced look yet a refreshing new look . Might just have to go wild and build something from scratch .

 

I also have some 1957 Ford taillight housings and VW Hella taillights.

 

When something is way over done it doesn't mean they look good. 90% of the time Cadillac taillights are used they look like ****. They get used because they are cheap and readily available.

 

And because people either have no imagination or don't know any better.

 

Pontiac cups, reversed Studebaker stands, Corvette bullet lense

 

Dude this is a great idea!!!! Those Chevrolet lights look so nice and they are so simple.. You did your homework on this one...

 

Or maybe, just maybe, the person using them LIKES them. We don't all like the same.

Ben

 

This was the start of the build.

 

I used the "mini" Zephyr on mine. I like '39 teardrops but that's done a lot, these are just a little bit different with the additional chrome band across the lens. (bad cell phone picture below)