There is no question that the bumper guard lights look so very cool, but I would be afraid to take the car out in traffic, like some of the guys mentioned. I just heard on the radio the other day that the law is changing in regard to if someone rear ends you. It used to be automatically ***umed that if someone ran into the back of your car they were automatically at fault. The new laws change that based on if the car in front did something wrong that caused the accident, like slamming on your brakes without enough notice to the guy behind. There is the possibility your insurance company could say your brake lights were way too low for the guy to see them and deny your claim. Just sayin'. A third brake light looks terrible on an old car or hot rod, but you only see them when they are lit, if you mount them correctly. Don
He probably cut it because it rotted up the seam. Before I sold mine I had an idea to use '62 Olds taillights sideways in there, but they'd also work horizontally, the curve is close to the curve of the tail pan, and make a little sheetmetal piece to meet up to the other side because the light is curved on both sides a little bit. Or tunnel it an inch or so, leave the raised center flush. It would be different - something I've never seen done before. They're an old enough light to look vintage, sort of a cat eye shape, but new enough to have reflective material all around the lens. And being a GM part, not expensive either. I also was going to do a rear window third brake light using an LED strip out of a NOS late model car trunk wing of some sort, I got a couple for cheap at the Bresee auction and it's pretty simple to pull that part out.
Custom I am sure. I would spread the bumper guards out as far apart as possible. On a '41 Ford truck I had with '40 Ford car tail lights - becuase they seemed not so bright - I added "hidden" trailer lights behind/below the bumper. This was after the police commente on my lack of tail lights. So even stock-ish tail lights can be not so bright. LED bulbs on an old car don't look right IMHO. But in small-ish bumber guard lights - would be a must - and might not look like LEDs anyway. Here's my version of a "hidden" 3rd brake light using a stock unit behind/below the bumper - did this on a '40 GMC using the Model A "STOP" tail light too. I like the look of the Model A tail ights so much I have then on my '53 Chev COE, sans the "STOP" lens though. Guess I better update the lenses in the rebuild, or add the 3rd "STOP" brake light.
The bumper guard lights look cleaner than the other options. You did a great job on those corners. I tried to do the same thing but, mine turned out uglier than pig ****. I went with the '59 Caddy option, I know it's nothing new. I'm pretty sure there's guys here that have made kustom lenses using red plexygl***, or something similar, and a torch.
You guys have cool ideas. lights that flow with the car and don't look like they were added on accessories.Sorry to say I agree with what other HAMBers said, todays idiot drivers will get ya if brake lights are too low and small.If placed right a third brake light can save your ****. Yea I know not hamb friendly having a 3 rd brake light but it's better than getting slammed from behind.
I have one light on the back of my truck where the factory put it. People seem to see it others tell me its hard to see. It is still 6v and my truck is slow enough no one stays behind me for long.
Started my lights today. I got 2 real nice 46/47 Caddy bumper guards and a set of 41 to 47 Buick lights. I made my first cut and its looking like it might work. There is also a vertical spear that will be under the round one. I have a brand new set of lenses comeing these are just the mock up ones.
bore out the holes so the lens fits flush with the hole otherwise yo have a flat edge where the lens comes thru...thats what i did to mine and it looks so much better. looking great so far... dig those little fins on the top!
Yup that is the plan, this just the first rough cut. I love these guards and they even fit the profile of the bumper.
got to love those guards, i will be putting some of those on something in the future..when i did these 50 caddy's for a guy, i was really digging the fin...its so damn cool! yours are looking great i have a set of those buick lights they should be a great fit into those guards
WOW! those are beautiful!!! I wish I could send mine to you for something like that. I was kinda excited about what I am doing untill.....
Dont think that way ....doin what your doin is highly creative plus a hell of a lot cheaper to fix when you back into somethin!! Yours should look really slick with the dual lenses.
Ya I been think'n about getting hit or tapped in a parking lot or something like that and it a happy thought I was going to try your process but found the Buick lights and thought, hey! these might be easier. You have made some beautiful works of automotive Art, please keep posting what you have done and are doing.
I can't wait to see how those turn out.I bought a set of those.Matt suggested doing something like that for my Merc before we decided on the custom ones on it.
Matt them sure are some purtttttttty lights. Bet they would look good on my car........ lol you do reat work man and can not wait to see these on the car when it ever gets painted
Cut the hole for the bottom half, not real sure I like it. Bit I guess I am stuck with it now Remember this is just rough cut.
The Jalopy Journal
