Need a Quick Education - Shoebox Tail Lights

'49-'50 Ford "cat eye" tail lights. I've noticed that some of the lenses have verticle ribs on the outside and others are smooth. Are the smooth ones for different models/years or are they after market? Is anyone re-poping them (whole tail lights and/or lenses) or does anyone know of a good source to get a pair?

Thanks

 

the smooth= aftermarket

you can get them through night prowlers

tuck

 

Ribbed gl*** ones (stock) are plentiful at any swap meet, and I suspect places like Dennis Carpenter probably stock them too.

Smooth ones (vacuum formed from plastic) are made to simulate the old "Lee" custom lenses, and are made by Johnny Smith of Kentucky. NICE guy. I have these on my car, and I like them a lot.

Blue dot lenses are also available. PM me if you're interested in a set.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm really gonna need to get the complete housings for them. Who's gonna have them at a good price?

 

Gene Winfield makes some real good looking lenses. They are two pieces, the inner is clear textured, the outer is smooth red. They are real smooth don't have that waffle look that the Lee style ones have.

 

Original buckets and bezels are a common swap meet item, but the buckets are usually pretty rusty and the bezels typically require plating. Rather than h***le with them, I bought repops of both and they were fine. I don't remember now where I bought them, but I'd look in Dennis Carpenter and Concours Auto Parts (Santa Ynez) first.