Well this is my first attempt at a tech segment,so here goes.After trying to find some cool taillights to put in my shoebox I stumbled upon some 56 Rambler Rebel lens.So I needed to build some housings.I started by tracing the lens onto poster board,as I got near the top I rolled the lens to get the proper outline.I then cut the outline out and began rolling the bend of the lens into the piece,I used my english wheel for one and a piece of angle clamped with washers under it for the other due to me being at work.Once I had the correct curve for the back part,I put the cut piece of metal 90 degrees on the poster board and traced the curve about 1" from the edge so I'd have room to play with once I get ready to install them.I then tacked the pieces together to make "the housing", bent some brake line around the outside, used a half moon magnet from a window motor to hold the brake line in place while I tacked it.I then bent a small piece of metal at 90 degrees punched holes for the mounting,and used nutserts for the fastening.I'm not ready to install them as I want to finish my top but I'll post pics once that is done.
well I finally got one side tacked in, this is after removing the body line from the quarter panel, for which I'm sure there will be some haters out there.I know my car looks goofy doing one thing at a time but I try to get stuff done while the wife is out of the hospital.Not lookin for sympathy, just explaining why.
That's different, I saw the pointed end of the lens and thought you'd line that into the bodyline for the original taillight. I think really either way works fine, this way is a little more work but it's worth it - you'll stand out more in the crowd. Was it me I'd do some kind of license plate inset/surround on the deck that matched the shape, or at least photoshop it on and see how it looked.
The Jalopy Journal
