68 backup lights?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 443
Likes: 3
From: Thurmont MD
68 backup lights?
Was looking at a 68 to purchase and it did not have the backup lights under the bumper. I assume they all came with them right?
If so the lower section has most likely been replaced. What is involved in getting these lights put back in? Is it as simple as buying the housing/lens/electric and cutting holes in the rear or is there more to it?
thanks
If so the lower section has most likely been replaced. What is involved in getting these lights put back in? Is it as simple as buying the housing/lens/electric and cutting holes in the rear or is there more to it?
thanks
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 360
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
all 68's had them
check the trans to see if the b/u switch is there, and maybe the wires. wires may still be tied up in the rear, check for them. then, you would need an oem rear 68 valance and the lights. i do not think the housings are reprod, but the lenses are...the housings are on ebay once in a while. i know a guy on craigslist is selling an orig valance w/ lights, he wants like $300 (no affiliation, just saw the ad).
Also, why aren't they there? was the car ***-ended or was it just a modification? good luck, john
check the trans to see if the b/u switch is there, and maybe the wires. wires may still be tied up in the rear, check for them. then, you would need an oem rear 68 valance and the lights. i do not think the housings are reprod, but the lenses are...the housings are on ebay once in a while. i know a guy on craigslist is selling an orig valance w/ lights, he wants like $300 (no affiliation, just saw the ad).
Also, why aren't they there? was the car ***-ended or was it just a modification? good luck, john
Last edited by avalonjohn; Jul 8, 2010 at 04:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 443
Likes: 3
From: Thurmont MD
it didnt appear to have been hit hard if it was rear ended, but a dealer has the car and you cant really expect them to know anything on the history-haha.
so is there more to the rear valance than just a cutout for the lights?
so is there more to the rear valance than just a cutout for the lights?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
The "cut outs" are molded in to accept the recessed lamp housings, and have mounting tabs for same.
Careful when purchasing the housings, as you need the bonding pieces also.
Wiring is simple, but as stated above, you will need the switch and bracket that mount to the trans (4 speed).
Also, original '68 panels are black fiberglass.
60FI
Careful when purchasing the housings, as you need the bonding pieces also.
Wiring is simple, but as stated above, you will need the switch and bracket that mount to the trans (4 speed).
Also, original '68 panels are black fiberglass.
60FI
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 360
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
also, depends are what you are looing for here......i've had a 68 for 25 yrs and trust they are a different animal. many one year only parts....be careful. a much safer bet is a 69. i love 68's but if you are looking for an original car, i'd be real careful if those lights were not in place...that is one of the first things i look for. usually means a rear hit. gotta wonder what else was rigged as well. can you tell us more about the car and what you are looking for?
oh, as stated above, you cannot simply cut out the valance for the lights. the valance is molded in a way that cutting out the holes wil not look right, also, it has "ears" ( a separate part.... i think reprod though) that are glassed inside to accept the housings.
oh, as stated above, you cannot simply cut out the valance for the lights. the valance is molded in a way that cutting out the holes wil not look right, also, it has "ears" ( a separate part.... i think reprod though) that are glassed inside to accept the housings.
Last edited by avalonjohn; Jul 8, 2010 at 05:25 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
If you're getting Red ready for a couple of shows how come you're taking off the rear valence for photos?
Any cooler back there today? We finally got 20 minutes of sun today.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
You know the panel pictured is my original that I took off once I added the sidepipes, don't you?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
As Rick's pictures show, there is also a lip that goes inward around the hole, so it is not as simple as just cutting out the holes. I don't have any backup lights either with my side pipes on my 68 and don't miss them.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
also, depends are what you are looing for here......i've had a 68 for 25 yrs and trust they are a different animal. many one year only parts....be careful. a much safer bet is a 69. i love 68's but if you are looking for an original car, i'd be real careful if those lights were not in place...that is one of the first things i look for. usually means a rear hit. gotta wonder what else was rigged as well. can you tell us more about the car and what you are looking for?
oh, as stated above, you cannot simply cut out the valance for the lights. the valance is molded in a way that cutting out the holes wil not look right, also, it has "ears" ( a separate part.... i think reprod though) that are glassed inside to accept the housings.
oh, as stated above, you cannot simply cut out the valance for the lights. the valance is molded in a way that cutting out the holes wil not look right, also, it has "ears" ( a separate part.... i think reprod though) that are glassed inside to accept the housings.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 13,189
Likes: 99
From: West Chester OH
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 8
From: Belmar NJ
Missing back up lamps aren't necessaraly a sign of a rear hit (Most of these have been driven into SOMETHIG, usually head on). Could be as simple as a sidepipe convo. which was done ALOT. Nobody thought much about the lamps and threw them away. But have the exhaust cutouts when you're running sidepipes? 
