1977 Euro taillight conversion
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 297
From: Slovenia, EU
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
The second diagram is better than the first hand drawn one. The first one uses the reverse light wiring to power the brake light signals. If you do that, you have no way to make the reverse lights functional. Better to cut the white wire at the brake pedal switch and run a new wire all the way to the rear to power the new brake light bulbs. The old brake/turn signal wires become just turn signals. You end up using the reverse lamps as turn signals and the reverse light wiring has to go to new lamps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 1,179
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Here is another idea that might work for you,,,
.
. Use a switch back bulb simular to what newer cars use for daytime running lights and directional signal ,
replace the origonal backup light socket, with one to accept the new bulb, , power the amber side of new bulb from your front directional bulb, ( left to left,, right to right ) ,, then power the white side of new bulb from existing backup wires,
. Likely you will never need both backup AND turning signals at the same time,,,
,,, and if you do, it will provide you with one backup light while the other is flashing amber,,,,,,,
.
. Use a switch back bulb simular to what newer cars use for daytime running lights and directional signal ,
replace the origonal backup light socket, with one to accept the new bulb, , power the amber side of new bulb from your front directional bulb, ( left to left,, right to right ) ,, then power the white side of new bulb from existing backup wires,
. Likely you will never need both backup AND turning signals at the same time,,,
,,, and if you do, it will provide you with one backup light while the other is flashing amber,,,,,,,
Last edited by 60 SHARK; Dec 22, 2019 at 09:54 AM. Reason: Coment
Racer
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 470
Likes: 131
From: Colorado
Maybe something like this would work. Smoked LED taillights. It doesn't say if turns are red or amber; you could inquire. If red, you could possibly open them up and put yellow LEDs in. I'm assuming the smoked lens doesn't have red in it and the LEDs are colored:
Tail Lights and Backup Lights Set For Chevrolet Corvette C3 1975-1979 Smoked | eBay
Tail Lights and Backup Lights Set For Chevrolet Corvette C3 1975-1979 Smoked | eBay
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 448
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
But, the guidance published above and credited to Corvette Kingdom was actually written by me, and originally printed in the CCCUK Magazine, back in about 1992. (My later version is now copywrited!) Things have moved on a little since that, and many people use "switchback" LED lamps for the reverse and indicator bulbs. But I believe they need a different bulb holder and they do need resistors, or a replacement electronic flasher unit.
My '78 still runs the system described in my article. I have now fitted LED bulbs in the side/brake lights and front side lights, but use regular bulbs in the indicators. I recently fitted a new set of rear lamp lens units and checked all the 30+ year old connections - all good!
