Tail lights, need your opinions

What sets your Spider apart from the rest?
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azygoustoyou

Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by azygoustoyou »

Here's what I got.
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I'm using the bubble style corvette lights. The thing is there's not much room in the light area to install them. I did manage to work around the frame area inside the trunk without cutting anything. I got the two outside lights perfect.
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Now look at the area to the inside of the lights. I will definitely have to cut the trunk in that area to be able to install all four lights. Do you think I should just use two lights and close the rest in? I would like to have four lights on the rear. But it could be a headache. Also, if I do install the two inside lights . They wouldn't be even with the outside ones because the trunk lid is in that area. If I use all four lights , the two outside ones will be slightly higher then the inside lights. But it might look cool with the shape of the car. Here's the pic showing the dilemma and a side view.
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velozi

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by velozi »

A couple of weeks ago I saw a Spider with 4 round lights in the back. Looked great.

Good luck.
jimincalif
Posts: 410
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:43 am
Your car is a: 1980 FI Spider
Location: Lake Forest, CA

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by jimincalif »

What about smaller diameter lights for the inside? Enough smaller that the top edges somewhat follow the slope of the fender and the bottoms are level? Obviously a matter of personal preference.
1980 FI Spider
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kilrwail
Posts: 1100
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:49 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Location: Perth, Ontario

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by kilrwail »

You might want to Photoshop the different options to see what you like. I like the sound of the smaller inner light, where the bottom edges are level but the top follows the contour of the fender. I don't know where you'd find a matching, smaller light though.
_____________________________________________________________
Peter Brownhill

1978 Fiat 124 Sport Spider - original owner
1977 Porsche 911S - track car
2022 Ram 4 x 4 - hauler
PCA National Instructor and Motorsport Safety Foundation Level 2 Instructor
mbouse

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by mbouse »

sorta reminds of a corvair

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azygoustoyou

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by azygoustoyou »

Well, finding smaller lights that would look like the others is almost impossible. I can make it work. I just don't know about the inside lights being a little lower. I could find some back up lights to put on the inside. But the only ones I can think of would be from the beetle or eclipse. I'm not sure if they would match these lights somewhat or not. And for getting new lights are out of the question. It took me forever to find these ones. :roll: Thanks for your suggestions. I'll keep you updated.
4babycar

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by 4babycar »

I don't know if this helps but I saw this picture and thought it was a similar look to what you are going for. Sorry I don't have an opinion to express at this time but good luck with your project. - My apologies if this is a forum member's car and I have borrowed this picture.

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azygoustoyou

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by azygoustoyou »

That car looks cool. I all ready have my tail lights. I'm thinking maybe just using back up lights next to the ones on the corner. I saw a grand am GT and thought they might work. I still have the need for four lights. I'm not sure two will do it for me since I had in mind what I wanted. But then things always change. Thanks
azygoustoyou

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by azygoustoyou »

I got the back cut for the light sockets. Now I'll sand blast them and weld them in when I sand blast the car. They came out awesome. Exactly as I wanted. Here's some pic's; :D
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mbouse

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by mbouse »

spiffy!
azygoustoyou

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by azygoustoyou »

Okay, now that I figured out the tail lights. I need to figure out where to put at least one back up light. All suggestions are welcome. Here's what I thought. I taped the bottom of a soda can to the back to give a feel of a light position. I think I want a round light. I thought where you see the chrome soda can kinda balances the back since I only have one tail pipe. I'm going to use bumperettes over the holes for the back bumpers. :wink:
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So Cal Mark

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by So Cal Mark »

looks sort of out of place there
azygoustoyou

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by azygoustoyou »

I can't figure where else to put it. I think it would look better there when the tail pipe is on the other side. The tail pipe is a lot bigger. It's conical shaped, the tail pipe. I need more thoughts and hints where to put it. :wink:
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kilrwail
Posts: 1100
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:49 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Location: Perth, Ontario

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by kilrwail »

To my eye, the rotisserie frame confuses the picture. When it's gone, you'll have a large rectangular space between your bumperettes and below the licence plate. From the rear, the bumperettes will look rectangular, while your lights are round. I think a pair of square or rectangular back-up lights would look good and symmetrical, mounted inboard of the bumperettes by a couple of inches on the same centreline. The small round one you've shown looks more like a European rear fog lamp and wouldn't be large enough to actually help you reverse the car in the dark.
_____________________________________________________________
Peter Brownhill

1978 Fiat 124 Sport Spider - original owner
1977 Porsche 911S - track car
2022 Ram 4 x 4 - hauler
PCA National Instructor and Motorsport Safety Foundation Level 2 Instructor
pope

Re: Tail lights, need your opinions

Post by pope »

Did Corvette incorporate backup lights on the inside two lights, like on the corvair?
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