Tail light suggestions help

hey guys im about to start working on my buick here in the next couple of days here in cl*** and one of the things im going to tackle and have been going back and forth about is the tail light situation. i really dont like the way they are now and want a more clean and flush tail. what im asking for is suggestions and hopefully pictures. id like to keep this car 60's and lower so please no newer parts and deff no stupid LED's. please let me know of any ideas or anything that you think may help.

the first picture is my car the rest are others that i like

please any ideas

thanks
jeff

 

how about '54 merc? headlights-'55 chevy brows? but remember it is your build!

 

i know its totally my build but you could consider me a new comer to the hot rodding game im only 20 and didn’t grow up with anyone being car people so im still novice in what can be done out there. i like the merc tails but would still like some other opinions

let me know

 

Welcome to the H.A.M.B., while I'm not a custom guy (I do enjoy them though), I think pic number 4 looks the best of the 3.

Look up Flop and his Pontiac build. He's done a great job with showcasing how he's done all his steps and I'm sure you'll like what he did with taillights. It fits right in with the styles you like.

 

please don't misunderstand my comments. they are intended to be helpful at nearly 69 i am getting close to a final build. if you check out my profile, you'll see my first. along the way i have run into many "why didn't you do this" or "i woud have". so absolutely be observant and solicit suggestions. but again it is like i said it is your build and only you have to be satisfied. think the project through, what is it you want before you start. ignore the "wouldas,couldas, shouldas". do it well, do it safely and enjoy hot rodding for a lifetime. this is a great forum with lots of very knowledgeable, helpful guys and gals. best of luck with the build and be sure to keep us posted. larry woods

 

ps if you look at the merc tailight consider it upside down so it pulls the top of the fender back a little! us old farts will have plenty of ideas. remember most may be "****"!!! you decide!

 

I must admit I like this the best, but with the extended quarters, it'd be a lot of work.

 

thanks all for the suggestions and warm welcome to the H.A.M.B. more less the pictures i showed i see the whole back "fin" being fit up with a light (sort of like a 89 - 93 cadillac taillight , but i want it to be mostly period correct). my intellect on the library of taillights out there is slim so that’s what im looking for is a longer tailight that would fit flush or somewhat flush (if frenching or tunneling is required not a problem ). id rather not extend the quarters. i found some 59 impala lights that might look nice turned upright but still idk

any more suggestions??

thanks
jeff

 

glad to see you are making progress. knowing what you don't want is a major step in finding what you do. how about '59 cad light mounted half sunk into side of fender? you could use single or double with front flared bullet style into fender. again good luck and keep up th good effort.

 

french your stock lights and call it done

 

Thanks Larry you've been a big help. I found a picture of a guy that used my twilights and frenched and split the two bulbs so it looks like two individual lights and doesn't stick out very far that I thought looked pretty clean. Iv also been researching those 54 merc tails and cutting out the back and mounting them flush would also be very clean. I don't get to start working on my car until Monday ( I go to wyotech and am in the street rod cl*** and were still in the cl***room) but once I can actually sit back and look at it for a while will probly be a big help. Haha. But thanks agian Larry uv been a big help. Let Me know if u have any more ideas.

Thanks jeff

 

actually i just found some 1958 corvette tails. that should work ya?? or i found my tails frenched and split. i dont know if id like that tho. i like the vette lights but those im guessing would be pricey

 

great! keep up the progress. i think your 58 vette lights would be a real possibility. again try a side position to see if that would work for you. you may want to pull side bumper guards off to give yourself a little better view as to what rear will look like. with those out of way you may get a different perspective. i apologize for monopolizing your thread but i have never been able to color between the lines so i find your vehicle of choice terrific and intriguing. maybe we can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!!! again keep at it and good luck.

 

take a peek at the comments re the 51 chevy chop thread posted about 7:30. i persoanlly think it is a terrific looking car. different strokes etc etc. stick to your ideas and goal!

 

I would rather french yours in than go for '59 Caddy's. Those are so cliche. I mean it might look ok, but it is so unoriginal now I don't even see the point. Half the fun of modifying taillights is having people try to figure out what it's from.

All in all, the '58 'Vette lights look pretty clean. I might go for those if that's an option.

 

thanks all. i think im leading towards the corvette lights if i can fin some for a decent price ( found a set on ebay for 500+) ill keep you posted once i start taking the car apart monday

 

Very cool ride and the Vette lights will look great but wow what a price!

What about using some 49-51 Ford lights turned sideways, 54 Mercury lights, 53 Plymouth lights or even with some metal fab putting 55 Plymouth or Chevy Quarter tips and light housings on your car. Some of these are cheap some require some metal fab but like all have said its your car and you need to like it.
Google is your friend for viewing many different tail lights as well as the search feature here on the HAMB. Welcome aboard from a Wisconsinite wishing he was in Charlotte - okay maybe not in August but come Winter I will. Good luck with the build.

 

Cheaper alternative to Corvette is the 57 Chevy hood scoops without the winged point. Install them in the fenders and add a taillight of your choice inside of it.

 

How about some 52 or 53 Merc tails? They are long and slender like the newer Caddy's, but they are in the age range you are looking for. Could also do some in the bumper guards... some many options so little time...lol