Custom Taillights (tech week)

I have never liked the stock taillights on my 51 Chevy. I have been looking arround at shows, but nothing really ever caught my eye as to what I would want. Once I realized where I wanted the lights to go, I searched for a lens that would do what I wanted.

This is what I found. Its from a 66 Chevelle. I have never seen anyone use these lenses, and that was a big plus for me.



Once I had the lens I needed to make a bucket for it. I also didnt want a rectangle light, so I decided that I needed to make the panel that would mould into the car first.



its amazing how well it matches the curve of the car.



Next I made the sides of the bucket.





The last part to make is the back panel that has the bulb holder in it. I lined it with chrome tape so that it would be more reflective, and I sprayed the inside of the bucket with chrome paint. Here are all the parts.



Here it is ***embled.







Now that the basic lamp is finished, its time to put it into the car.

BEFORE SHOT:



I decided to french the license plate and mould in the rear filler panel at the same time. After LOTS of measuring, I cut the hole for the light:



Here is a pic of the light tacked in and the piece that I made to mould in the filler panel. The filler piece needs more work on the shrinker stretcher, but you get the idea:



Here is everything welded in, including the old taillight hole:



GRIND GRIND AND MORE GRIND!!!



then a skim coat of light filler. I like Dolphin Glaze, but I have never tried anything else!



After a few hours of sanding, priming and painting. Here is what you end up with. Its not perfect, but its close enough until the car gets prepped for its finish paint job.



It probably wont be everybodys cup of tea, but for me it was a cool way to get a taillight that I really like, and you dont see everyday.







Now I just have to do the other side. I hate body work!

 

Damn dude, that's sweet!

Great tech article and very inspiring to look at doing something different.

 

Very creative, never would have thought of that. You do some nice metal work. From a safety standpoint, the bigger taillights reduce your likelihood of getting rear ended, as the people we share the road with now are used to the huge taillights on today's cars.

 

A nice stainless or polished alum ring around it would look *****en

 

The car is also invisible at night now, from the front tires back.

 

looks good mike, different

 

Thanks guys, I am really happy with it. I just really dont want to have to do the other side!!

 

Well done.
I like the idea of a trim ring to finish it off, if you can manage it.

 

Ya a trim ring may look good. I will think about that once the other side is done.

 

That looks nice!

 

That's cool, Is it sealed or can water get in there and rust it up?

 

Good for you, cool idea. I think it needs some kind of trim around it too. Post pics when you're all finished for us...

 

I have to agree... You have no lights visible from the side. You may want to consider adding a small light on the side of the car for a side marker. A slim trailer or clearance light mounted low under the fender might help a little. Remember, you have to think about the yuppie soccer mom on the cell phone while she's putting on makeup that can't pay attention while she's attempting to pilot her oversized SUV.

Concept is cool though. Give you props there. Did you seal the light to the body?

Also, are you using flux cored wire in your welder?

 

Great work i love how it turned out very smooth.

But i have to agree with a few people on how you really dont have anything that you can see on the side. That might be a problem for others to see when you switch lanes. Also the police may not like it... Check with them before you finish. 100 dollars worth of tickets isnt as fun as 100 dollars worth of parts.

 

Thanks guys. I realize that the car is going to be hard to see from the side at night. I have a couple ideas for that. Also I checked with a few police officers I know. Arround here, as long as your not driving to draw attention to yourself, they pretty much leave old cars alone. They said that since the light is actually bigger than the stock, its fine.

And its not sealed to the body yet, but it will be once the rest of the rear end is done.

 

Way to think outside the box...nice job...

R-

 

Nice work!

Maybe wire in a small marker light using the bumper bolt on the side. '68 Mopar ones are cool.

 

I only have a flux core welder. I know its not the best, but you got to work with what you have.

 

I was just thinking... with the huge ***ortment of LEDs available, why not make a very discreet side marker light, maybe just one LED. Perhaps you could mount it under the bumper. That would make it virtually invisible except when lit. It sure might help all that nice bodywork stay that way.

 

For the brightest lights, spray the inside of the buckets with Gloss White Appliance Paint rather than silver, chrome etc. White is the reflection of all light and gives a bright clear reflection.
Every year or two take the lenses out and scrub the outside AND inside with mild soap and a toothbrush. Clean and, if needed, repaint the interior of the bucket.
Aso, use 2357 bulbs rather than 1157. 2357 gives you a much brighter stop/turn function, especially helpful if you have original small taillamps and lenses.

 

that looks really cool man, after reading the first post and seeing the tail lights i thought they where going to be hidious. But the oval look and where they are placed looks great. I like it a lot, nice work.

 

NICE!! Real nice! the rear end of 49-52 are so nice it's hard to decide what to run for taillights without taking away from the nice lines of the rear . I think you nailed it! I'm still undecidet myself. I am leaning towards 54 Merc like Larry Watson did on G****vine. But..... After seeing this i'm thinking again. Thanks!!!

Todd

 

When you do the other side....clean the paint and rust away from where you're welding, it will work a lot better.

 

very cool nice job

 

I agree, I really like the way the rear looks with the stock lights shaved.. very ***y.. your light idea is cool too.
Anthony

 

Leave the other light stock for that 60s asymetrical look.

 

Then I could do a triple headlight on one side and leave the other side stock.

 

So what how many pre 1967 cars have side marker lights???? Its a custom!
And that **** about getting a ticket...I have had frenched tailights on my 51 for 17 years never been bugged for it! now a days cops dont know what came stock on these cars...may be the older ones do! and those lights he put on are a hell of a lot better than the stock ones they **** you can hardly see those!

Great work on the tailights they look good!


John

 

Thanks John, the brakes I got from you are going on next!!

 

Thats EXACTLY what i was thinking!