Hot Rods 32' Ford Tail Lights

Hey Guys
I just thought i'd create a fun little poll to see which of the most popular style of tail lights you prefer to see on the back of a 32' Ford.

 

I used repopped 39's for mine, but if I could find them reasonably priced ( yea right) I'd go with 35 Pontiac's.

 

Stock lights are my first choice. I also like 37's and 50 Pontiac's. I have 39's on one car.

 

If it's a highboy, I like the stock '32 lights on shortened stalks. Tasty...with an original, yet modified theme.

 

Stock 32s on lowered, narrowed stands. At least thats what I like on mine.

 

On the odd chance you aren't familiar with 35 Pontiac lights, and odder yet that you might stumble onto some, this is them.

 

I'm using a model a tail light.

 

I like stock stalks (I have a special early aftermarket right one because of rumble seat step) in black, not stainless, with 1935 type taillights...these are painted shell with stainless only on rim. I think that setup flows from frame to light better than pure '32. Too much stainless separates the lights from the car in my opinion.
For a later build look, '38 Ford, Pontiac round, and '48 Chevy all look great. Buicks seem like a desperate attempt to look like a custom.
For an odd approach...I have some '42 Studebaker lights, and I keep wondering how they would look slotted into the '32 rear fenders...

 

I have a thing for '39 teardrops. I think they're dreamy.

 

47'Chevy

53' Buick

39' Ford

 

I bought a old hot rod pair of faded red fenders from a 3w, a really old build. It had these lights with beautiful fine line white striping at the tops.

I had to bob the fenders, so I had to move them higher. I think maybe 41? Chevy because the lenses are thicker/sticks out more on one end. But same as up to 48 bezels.

tb333rd on hamb has a 33 chevy full fender built by his Dad in 59, same lights in fenders, only moved in towards the body more.



Only 3 choices in the poll? Someone on here has a signature line that says ;; Building hot rods is"not paint by numbers"

When in doubt, look at the genuine 50s builds in the little books....because today's "traditional" is not the same. Some of the cookie cutter modern trends today, sometimes keeps me off the hamb for months... Sorry, but that's how I feel about 50s stuff vs new builds

 

I know it's not "Paint by number" and i was a bit in doubt on my 3 choices so i went back to my Sept.'01 copy of Rod & Custom it says the 39' Ford, 47' Chevy, And 50' Pontiac were 3 of the more popular choices. But Alex Idzardi's 5 window coupe had 53' Buick tail lights so thats what i went with fr the poll. Since i can now change the poll choices maybe i'll add it in so @Andy can vote. I my add in an "Other" Choice too.

 

go back to something like Sept '61 issue....lol. But I'm serious. Those "revival era"editors many times were/are redefining genuine history.
...and regional differences in "was popular", really matters much more ..even in taillights

 

Mine has had 48 Chevy lights on the back since 74 but I think I will go to stock lights when I redo it. I like them now more than I used to.

 

Fenders or n0n fendered will make a difference,

On a Full fendered Ford I like the original style as seen on my old beater.



On my full fendered pickup I used 1937 Ford. HRP

 

I don't have to Sept.'61 issue but some of my Hot Rod magizines from the mid 60's show the 41' Chevy tail lights being very popular. Maybe thats what Millner had i don't remember.

 

sorry to mislead...I meant never look in a newer magazine for "history" when old magazines show exactly what was used.

 

50 Pontiac (original) on fenderless and 32 on fendered.

 

If someone adds '66 Mustang tailights to the poll I will personally send a gerbil to run up your pants leg and...........well, you can imagine the rest.

 

Since it's my thread and i'm the only one who can add to that won't be happening.

 

I never should have posted here...I totally missed the entire thought in post ONE. It says nothing about what was popular in the hamb focus era (pre-65)...it says what do you like to see....meaning now, not then

 

I like the '39 Ford taillight.

 

We had a wild new dark horse 7 years ago that was gonna change history.

Is he still on the HAMB?

 

I guess what meant was of the three (now four) most popular "traditional" styles which do you like best.

 

Depends on the car! It's a 32 Ford they all look good!
My two 32's

Two very different styles!

 

A lot depends on the body style. Your 4 choices really only suit roadsters or coupes and not sedans or phaetons.
I'm running 50 Pontiac on my fendered coupe and 39 Ford on the hi-boy so do I get a vote for each?

 

I've made the poll mutipul choice now so you and @Andy could vote for both if you wish. I was just trying to make so sombody dosen't vote for evey choice.

 

Wish that apostrophe could be placed as easy as those taillights.

32' means thirty two feet. 32" means thirty two inches. '32. Ah, now we mean 1932.
Apostrophe takes the place of the understood century. Not to act like a 'lingo guru', but it's accurate that way.

ct1932ford has it with the tan '32 Highboy. In spades.....

 

Ever wonder why you hardly ever see full size 1939 Ford tail lights on 1932 Ford 3 window coupes.

 

Lesson learned @A****er Mike the apostrophe shoud take place of the 19.