Hot Rods Dumb tail light question (opinions wanted)

I'd like some opinions by hotrodders on this rather than than just friends. I'm deciding between tailoghs on my a coupe,and I'm between cut down 59 cads or 50 Pontiac with the airflow covers.

To me=50 Pontiac cool but common but also easy to install.
59 cad way too long unless chopped down with I would do but also harder cause of the recess work and lense work.

I'm sure I'll get the remarks about using other lights but let's keep this between the 2 choices please.

Also the coupe is late 50's early 60's style (chop, channel,chromies,gold body,gold motor,white seat...you get the idea

 

I came up with this,I used self modifed 59 Cady on my full custom HenryJ on the back in 1960,cut about 1-1/2+ in. off the red tip and put it up inside=now looked like a jet engine. I did not recess anything but the tips. I polished the cut edge so it did not look cut. The light then only stuck out about 3in. an was custom,even was EZ to make the "J" hole fit the Cady chrome mount. I liked them an ran them that way from 60 to 1965.

 

I was thinking of something like that but one step further. I would do that,but also cut the tip and put a red dot.so it wouldn't be pointed.but it would be inverted like you mentioned

 

In my estimation 59 Caddy tail lights were ugly enough on a 59 Caddy and FUGLY on everything else. 50 Pontiac lights look great on a number of applications. I'd go with them.

Gary

 

^^^^^^^Yup---at least FUGLY.

 

'41-'48 Chev ....

 

You did not mention what these are going on.
If it is the model A, I would go Pontiac.

CN

 

Pontiac

 

not a dumb question, but it is the type of thing you need to see how they each look. mock them up and see which ones you like.

 

Huh, didn't know tail lights were dumb

 

I agree with both opinions....Caddy's are fugly and go with the Pontiacs.

 

Pontiac

 

Both styles of lights have been done to death but the Pontiac ones still look good.

 

Those simple, elegant, round Pontiac taillights are hard to beat. They look good on just about anything, and they are unlike many vintage taillights, big enough to see, and easier to make brighter by spraying the inside of the housing with silver or white and using modern 12V halogen bulbs. Any lens that sticks out as much as the '59 Caddy is prone to getting broken out in the real world--only taillights more prone to getting broken were '58 Fords, hands-down the ugliest taillights ever. Years ago, when they were commonplace on the road, almost every '58 Ford you saw had at least one broken taillight lens. You can't beat the round Pontiac lights.

 

Tb33anda3rd-thanks,well ya know...I know a lot of folks will think its a stupid question I just wanted to hear other opinions. Your right its a 'need to be seen thing'

As for the other comments regarding the pontiacs,yeah I agree the are simple and clean,I've jus seen them a bit and was thinking a bit different. And the 48 fords are very ugly on a A coupe IMO

 

54 Buick is a hybred of both , different , a little gaudy but not as bad as the cad , but then again ... You only have two options

 

Pontiac or 48 chev.

 

Gotta go with the majority,Pontiac tail lights. HRP

 

With your choices I would go with the Pontiac lights. There are other options out there but the Pontiac lights look good on a rod to me.

 

Pontiac please , they just blend in and belong.

 

What do you guys think of those covers that they have at so-cal for them? The airflow looking ones.looking kinda like a gun sight or bomber window

 

Like these?


I like 'em.

 

I agree,they would look great on your car. HRP

 

Yes that's them fellas

 

Phttttt you can't go wrong with 'em. They just take the dull out of a round orb.

 

Glad to know 2 of what I'd call 'helpful hambers' like them. I've listened always when you guys chime in

 

I also vote 54 Buick..--click pic for larger image--

 

I said between the 2 mentioned because I have searched all over and all these lights mentioned I can not find..

Of course those Buicks look good.but I can't find any

 

Based on those 2 choices, Pontiac ALL DAY LONG!

 

Consensus is in..unless someone wants to sell me some Buicks?