75-79 Tail lights on an a 81?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
75-79 Tail lights on an a 81?
Hi all,
first post here - hope I'm asking at the right place. I have an 81 that was imported in the UK with the bubble light conversion. It's all red lenses which is illegal here for the year (need amber rear indicators).
I need to replace them at some point but I am not a big fan of the 80-82 tail lamps. They look a bit... 80s!
Other than correctness (for which I don't particularly care) do you know if it is possible to fit the lenses from a 75-79 on an early 80s car? Has anyone tried it and if so, are there lots of mods needed?
Many thanks in advance,
George
first post here - hope I'm asking at the right place. I have an 81 that was imported in the UK with the bubble light conversion. It's all red lenses which is illegal here for the year (need amber rear indicators).
I need to replace them at some point but I am not a big fan of the 80-82 tail lamps. They look a bit... 80s!
Other than correctness (for which I don't particularly care) do you know if it is possible to fit the lenses from a 75-79 on an early 80s car? Has anyone tried it and if so, are there lots of mods needed?
Many thanks in advance,
George
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
The conversion that I was thinking of and is commonly done across the pond is to use amber bulbs for the clear reversing lens and change the wiring around. It's a bit of a pain but it makes it legal.
So... has anyone done it? Any photos by any chance? Thanks again!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 667
From: FL
'75-79 are all red. Two outer are brake/turn signals plus running lights. Inner are reverse lights. Trouble will be wiring up separate turn indicators since the wiring is shared with the brake lights.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
I considered you might have found amber for 75-79.
Mid America shows amber lights in this pic. for louvers, not ambers.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...1-42-1280.html
Wiring w/ amber bulbs is clever.
It should be possible to dye the clear part amber. If you cannot get orange there you might try a WTB in parts.
I run 4 stock 77 tail lights so I did some wiring.
Mid America shows amber lights in this pic. for louvers, not ambers.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...1-42-1280.html
Wiring w/ amber bulbs is clever.
It should be possible to dye the clear part amber. If you cannot get orange there you might try a WTB in parts.
I run 4 stock 77 tail lights so I did some wiring.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
There is a wiring 'how to' guide here if anyone else ever needs to do it (courtesy of the CCUK website).
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/files..._mod_guide.pdf
I was just wondering whether the lenses from a 75-79 will physically fit or if they were different sizes, but I think they should be ok!
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/files..._mod_guide.pdf
I was just wondering whether the lenses from a 75-79 will physically fit or if they were different sizes, but I think they should be ok!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Some put 80-82 rear bumpers on 75-79 so they would probably use 75-79 lights...
This shows 75-79 lights in red & black cars. What color is yours & did you see my previous post?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...per-cover.html
This shows 75-79 lights in red & black cars. What color is yours & did you see my previous post?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...per-cover.html
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Some put 80-82 rear bumpers on 75-79 so they would probably use 75-79 lights...
This shows 75-79 lights in red & black cars. What color is yours & did you see my previous post?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...per-cover.html
This shows 75-79 lights in red & black cars. What color is yours & did you see my previous post?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...per-cover.html
Mine is red but I think from decoding the trim tag a little while back it was originally black and silver.
Clearly there are cars with the 80s bumper and the late 70s tail lights so it must be possible! I think it's a much better classic look than 80-82 lights but each to their own! Many thanks guys!!!
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Some put 80-82 rear bumpers on 75-79 so they would probably use 75-79 lights...
This shows 75-79 lights in red & black cars. What color is yours & did you see my previous post?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...per-cover.html
This shows 75-79 lights in red & black cars. What color is yours & did you see my previous post?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...per-cover.html
Mine is red but I think from decoding the trim tag a little while back it was originally black and silver.
Clearly there are cars with the 80s bumper and the late 70s tail lights so it must be possible! I think it's a much better classic look than 80-82 lights but each to their own! Many thanks guys!!!
