Hi I was wondering if anybody has the base dimensions of a 58 impala taillight and is a 60 - 61 taillight the same ? I want to install them on my 59 Edsel. I really don't like the stock taillights, to flat and plain looking. Thanks
The lens or the housing? The housing is a different shape, and the later lenses are larger diameter at the base. They also both have a flat reflector at the base, which makes it difficult to mount into a housing like the 59 Edsel uses. But you might be able to do some cutting and make it fit? you'll end up with no reflector, most likely.
here are some measurements, this lens fits 58 and 60 passenger cars, and 61-67 vettes. I expect @Moriarity would be able to give you a full tutorial on making your own lenses from plexiglass. I'm also going to guess that the edsel lenses are about 2-3/4" diameter?
Thank you for that. I have seen the 59 caddy lens used, but trying not to use them unless I cut them a bit short. From what I see they fit well, but I'm hoping these will work.
Might want to try a 61 belair type lens, it might fit the Edsel better when you cut off the flat reflector part. It's very similar to the 58 type, but larger.
Hello, When we got our 1958 Impala, one of the first custom things to do was to change out the rear white taillight lens with a stock red one. We wired all to come on with one brake tap and to also, all light up at night with the headlights on. We did have to move the white bulb down to the license area so there was some light backing up, although, any of those lights were almost useless. Jnaki The great thing was at night, when the 6 red taillights came on, the opponent instantly knew it was game over. On the streets, it was a favorite thing to do for Impala owners. 6 red stock taillights was much nicer looking than some custom pointy end Cadillac lenses. That looked too much like a spiky Viking helmet /shield rolling down the street. Why not just get two stock Edsel Red taillights and put in place of the white ones on your car? the three stock red taillights would be custom, but still have the original look, too. It will look just as nice without the pointy ends sticking out. And, it will still be an all Edsel car...YRMV
May want to consider 56 Chevy lenses. I may be wrong, but I think they fit 58 Impala bezels? I can provide a measurement later today
Wow I did think about doing the three red stock lenses but I really don't like the look of the lenses themselves. I like the looks of the 56 lenses, actually better than the 1960 lenses. If they fit, I think that would be my choice. Now just to see if they will fit. Thank you to all with your suggestions.
When my son had his 59 Edsel, we were considering 59 Chevy taillights since they pretty much fit. I saw someone here on the HAMB that had done that but it escapes me who it was.
They are made of flat acrylic. What is needed is the ability to cut and shape the parts accurately and using the acrylic glue to put the pcs together. I also had to opaque the back side of the white to keep white light from shining out the back. There are a lot of videos on youtube about fabricating with acrylics.
I like those 59 Chevy lights. Would be fun to heat and blow some custom bubble lenses. A bald guy with his own TV show detailed that process very well a while back.
Last year, he did a bug project and used over a dozen gallons of plastic filler. I don’t agree with that, but blown taillights, yes, yes, yes.
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