Still messing around with tail lights. Pretty well narrowed it down to 3. At the moment the clear one with the blue dot is in the lead. Bear in mind they are all just roughed in. The clear plastic one is hard to get a good picture of as it picks up so much glare.. If I go with the clear one on the left I will add 2 red dots so I have reflective red also. So what you think, and yes I have a lot of finish body work to do !!
To be honest and I hate to criticize anyones creativity but since you asked…. From the back view of both lights, the housings seem to be too wide. They stick out past the side body line. Looking at the tail light inside the oval housing doesn’t seem finished to me. Looking at the new lense on the right, you still see areas along the edges of the tail light hsg that are open.
Never a problem with criticism on here... I have been on this forum since 2005... and anyone with thin skin needs to read only, but not post.. My only comment is what I said in my original post, that they are only roughed in, and I have a whole lot of trimming and body work to finish...but I do like the look, as it is different. I am an (80) year old somewhat handicapped old duffer on fixed income with blue collar skills, so like to do what I can, as well as be happy that I did it all myself.. Cheers...
It seems to me that you should have decided on the tail lights you were going to use then done the body mods to match them.
I've owned a '50 Ford and always liked the original tail lights but I also like the '49-'51 Fords stock, with that said, I studied the photo's and have to agree with you the tail light with the blue dot appeals to me the most. HRP
Hate to say it but, it's time to start over!. None of those taillight ideas look good on your shoebox. The "tunneled look" is way too deep and is out of proportion to the rear of the car . It has the ugly, overbearing "look at me" look. Frenching the tailights in the traditioonal style would look much, much better. Open link below and scroll down. Your frenched tailights need to have a look that flows and goes with the rear of the car. Use the traditional Lee lenses with a traditional "old skool" french. Projects - Mr. Palumbo's Shoebox project | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com) Also, check this out. Ron Hepding's Classic 1950 Ford Mild Custom (motortrend.com) More ideas here: kustom 1950 ford - Bing images One last suggestion. Not sure what you are planning for the exhaust but, running the exhaust tip through the holes for the back up lights is another bad idea.
It's your car and you can do it whatever way you like. And that is more important than others decisions but those tail light housings seem to overwhelm the rear of the car. I am in the process of building a 50 and prefer the original lines of the stock tail light housings. But, again, you are the only one that needs to favor the custom work you have done.
I am with Danny ( @HOTRODPRIMER ) here. If it were mine I would shorten the buckets up and use the blue dot lenses. They have become hard to come by but my favorite tail lights on a shoe box are Lee Lenses. that said my favorite lenses for any 50s era car are Lee lenses.
First off, it's your car so if YOUR happy that's what matters. But you asked for opinions, I'd shorten the depth about 1 inch and tighten them up a bit, need to show a side view so when can see the flow of the bodyline into the taillight. I have a feeling it too will show its just a touch too big. But with that said, Carry on !! Don't give up ! And keep plugging away at her....
in my opinion, the stock 49 and 50 ford tail lights are great and should not be changed. on the other hand, the tail lights on my 41 Cadillac should be changed to something subtle and smooth. My dad had a 50 ford convertible back in the early '50s and I think he fenched those tail lights as well as the tail lights on the 52 ranch wagon that he built in 54. a couple of photos in my album if you look.
I think what is throwing people off is the taillights are tunneled too deep. Make it less and it flows better. With the new larger opening, the lens needs to take up the space. Your clear lens does that and it looks better than the smaller lens in a larger opening. Need larger lens in the larger opening.
It's okay to try to be a little different at times, like different haircuts, Purple ponytails, tear graphics on your 32 Roadster, Porch headlights in your 40 Ford but to the real Old School car guys we don't do that crap. It's just wrong, kinda like your taillight program. You don't have to do it just like everyone else but it should at least look good. You're missing the boat pal. That looks like a Diesel exhaust pipe sticking out of your Quarter Panel that someone set the light inside of for a joke. Hay, you said "So what you think" ? So I just answered ya.
I like stock tailights on my '50. That said...I ahve a pair of '51 lights I'd be willing to part with....
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