Bubble tail light lens
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 697
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Bubble tail light lens
They make kits to mod tail light lens for 68-73 direct replacement.
And 75-82 includes lens and adapter housings.
Anybody have a picture of this adapter housing, would like to convert to the bubble lens?
How about some close up pics of bubble lens on a 74-75.
I don't want to go the digital light route.
Thanks
And 75-82 includes lens and adapter housings.
Anybody have a picture of this adapter housing, would like to convert to the bubble lens?
How about some close up pics of bubble lens on a 74-75.
I don't want to go the digital light route.
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 74
From: New Carlisle IN
I have a 76 with an 80 style fiberglass bumper with the bubble tail lights. They were on there when I bought the car so I don't know much about how they are installed. Here are a couple pics.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 697
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
vettehardt looks nice, i also have the 80 style bumper, nice combo.
I have relocated the backup light to one bulb under the license plate rim, now all the tail lights are brake/turn lights
Think i will do this this winter with the bubble lights.
Thanks.
I have relocated the backup light to one bulb under the license plate rim, now all the tail lights are brake/turn lights
Think i will do this this winter with the bubble lights.
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,687
Likes: 3,139
From: Shamong, NJ
The 74 up Corvettes need the adapter ring, because the tail lamps used in those years was a complete assembly, with the lens and housing assembled as a single piece. The 68-73 tail lamps were 2 piece, with a metal housing attached to the body, and the lens held to the housing by screws.
Without the adapter ring, there is no way to hold the lamp socket, or to attach the lens to the bumper.
Without the adapter ring, there is no way to hold the lamp socket, or to attach the lens to the bumper.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I have the bubble conversion kit in my 80. It's essentially bolt in. Bubble light assemblies mount exactly as the stock units. You will remove the backup lamps and tape the pigtails to the wiring harness. You can cut these if you want, but leaving them allows you the opportunity to convert back to stock at a future date.
The kit comes with two pigtails/sockets to scotch lock to the outer tail light harness. Add the lamps, plug them up, and you're done.
You will not have backup lights but, to be honest, how often to you actually need backup lights?
The kit comes with two pigtails/sockets to scotch lock to the outer tail light harness. Add the lamps, plug them up, and you're done.
You will not have backup lights but, to be honest, how often to you actually need backup lights?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
I bought my bubble lenses for my 68 and they didn't come with trim rings - didn't see them offered as a related accessory - do they exist for the 68?
I will be glassing over the stock exhaust cutouts this winter, in case you are wondering why I have side exhaust and vacancy on the rear valance.
I will be glassing over the stock exhaust cutouts this winter, in case you are wondering why I have side exhaust and vacancy on the rear valance.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
They make kits to mod tail light lens for 68-73 direct replacement.
And 75-82 includes lens and adapter housings.
Anybody have a picture of this adapter housing, would like to convert to the bubble lens?
How about some close up pics of bubble lens on a 74-75.
I don't want to go the digital light route.
Thanks
And 75-82 includes lens and adapter housings.
Anybody have a picture of this adapter housing, would like to convert to the bubble lens?
How about some close up pics of bubble lens on a 74-75.
I don't want to go the digital light route.
Thanks
I changed my plans to the 80 style rear look and diode lights.
If you are interested in buying them for less than what they sell for now, drop me a PM.
Bman (Dennis)
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Little Britain Ontario
Installing bubble light taillight kit to 76 corvette with the upgrade bumper. I understand how to do it but..... the outside lights are fine, the inside lights, because of the backup light have the hole higher up in the bumper where the bulb assembly goes in. Do I have to cut a bigger whole in there to make them fit straight? Don't really want to cut the bumper if I don't have to.
Anyone know?
Thanks Peggy
Anyone know?
Thanks Peggy
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 697
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Yes, if a 76 is the same as my 75 i had to mod it to fit, but i had already done some worked to change to all turn signals .
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 55
From: Humboldt county Ca
Peggy- Yep, you have to cut the back body panel for the bubble lights to fit the in the backup light holes. Not a problem with fiberglass. I figure my 75 is never going to be a collector car and right now it's mine anyhow. Got out the keyhole saw and drill and went after it.
I really like bubble lights!
Good luck.
Roy
I really like bubble lights!
Good luck.
Roy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I have the bubble conversion kit in my 80. It's essentially bolt in. Bubble light assemblies mount exactly as the stock units. You will remove the backup lamps and tape the pigtails to the wiring harness. You can cut these if you want, but leaving them allows you the opportunity to convert back to stock at a future date.
The kit comes with two pigtails/sockets to scotch lock to the outer tail light harness. Add the lamps, plug them up, and you're done.
You will not have backup lights but, to be honest, how often to you actually need backup lights?
The kit comes with two pigtails/sockets to scotch lock to the outer tail light harness. Add the lamps, plug them up, and you're done.
You will not have backup lights but, to be honest, how often to you actually need backup lights?
Actually, back-up lights are nice to have if you ever back up at night. Also, they are useful in parking lots, if you see the back-up lights, you know that a car may be backing out of a parking space. Back-up lights are there for a reason, just like turn signals. Hmmmm, maybe I shouldn't have brought up turn signals, I'm from Massachusetts, where using your turn signal is considered a sign of weakness.Scott
