I’m considering changing the stock taillights on my ’81 to the bubble taillights. I think that they’re pretty cool looking and suit the body of the C3 very well. I just never liked how deeply recessed and plain the taillights are on late model Sharks.

One problem I see with making this conversion is that by converting to the bubble taillight, you eliminate the reverse lights. Are there any legal issues to eliminating the reverse lights? I’m sure this differs state by state, but does anyone have any info for your local state?

I’m also looking for opinions here. Anyone like them or dislike them for any reason? My Vette is very original, but I don’t imagine that this is the type of modification that is irreversible. I can always change it back if I wanted to.

 

Do a search on authur 'frodaddy' in the search section. He did a nice write up with pics I believe about the conversion and it included making all four lights light up when braking. Might even be n the teck section. I have bubble lights and like them but not every one agrees.

 

I don't like the bubble's at all:U . I think the stock ones are the way to go :cheers:

 

See, told ya! :) Don't car much for yellow vette's but no barfing. :troll :p: They're still :cool: .


[Modified by Fevre, 1:57 PM 7/24/2002]

 

I've seen 'em on the later sharks, and I wasn't too impressed. Not that bad that I'd :U but you won't see 'em on my car.

 

I think, do whatever tinkles your shorts.

It does not matter what you do to the car hood, wheels or whatever some will and some won't like it.

Your the one that has to drive it. Besides they are inexpense and can be changed back if YOU don't like them.

Just my opinion.

Terry

 

The '79 I just sold had them. No reverse lights, but the double blinkers and brake lights were cool. I can't say I liked them any better than stock, they're just different. There certainly isn't anything wrong with them.

 

Didn't this subject help ban someone recently??? :lol:

 

i like the 78-82 lights....

of course i have a 78-82 rear bumper as well..
:lol: :lol:

 

I had them on my 1979 for one year. (I will try to find a pic.) They are very bright and improve the visibility of the vehicle. And that to me is a plus on the safety side. As to the legality of them, I never had a problem. Police have much more important issues on their hands than back-up lights.

But I am a little fickle at times so I went back to stock. And this addresses your comment on reversibility. The brake/tail light sockets needed to convert to bubbles are connected by scotch locks. They simply tap into the existing harness: no wiring cutting/splicing is needed. The back-up wiring sockets remain on the wiring harness. Mine are held there by nylon ties. So here is my Canadian compromise, pic below. I added two new tail/brake light assemblies to give four lights of each. The back-up bulb sockets are still tied to the wiring harness in case they are needed for annual safety inspection or safety certification at sale. The back-up light pots are in the basement and I can convert back in about 15 minutes if need be.



I can't find a pic of the bubble lights but here is how the scotch lock works. Just a simple example. The black wire is the wiring harness source that you wish to tap. There will be three for the brake/tail combo. The red wire is one of the three you need to attach for the new brake/tail socket. The black wire (continuous) is placed in the scotch lock. The connecting wire to the new socket is placed alongside. The lock is basically a push-down guillotine affair that will join the two without cutting the black wire. Lift the guillotine and you are back to stock. Hope this helps.




[Modified by paul79, 5:39 PM 7/24/2002]


[Modified by paul79, 6:19 PM 7/24/2002]

 

Check it out:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=312586

 

Yes Alwyn, it did. I believe 73-454 had a very strong opinion against the bubble lights, and it got him in trouble.

 

Bubbles are :cool: :cool: :cool:

 

I plan on doing the bubba mod er uh I mean the bubble mod. I think it would look good on my 81. Personally I think it looks good on some and not so good on others. All in what you like and how your rear looks. You know some rears look good and some don't. :eek:

 

73-454 has a lot of strong opinions. I like the bubble lights, and if I could offord the time I'd do it to. :yesnod:

 

SuperFast80 has them on his and they look very :cool:

 

Isn't there a new 28 yr., blonde member that has them on her 76? Maybe she can help! :yesnod:

 

Jim,
Her post is plugging up the lines tonight. I can't get through so I am giving up. BTW, my steering is just fine now. Thanks so much for your help on the steering box!

 

I have em for mine. there not on, because i still dont have my 8s style bumper, but thats a diffrent story. i freakin love bubble lights. i hate my original 79s and i like 80-82s but bubbles are better than both. the main reason i dont like normal lights as much is because i like the 4 brake light look rather than 2 reverse and 2 brake. i think it looks newer.

 

Hey Fevre, thanks for posting that other thread. That helps a lot, but that thread just raises more questions or me. First of all, the bubble lights that the other thread mentions are only $25. The ones I saw in Corvette Central's catalog were around $75 or $80. And what's this about completely butchering the original taillights??? :eek: :eek: I don't think that's the route I want to take. Are the more expensive ones from Corvette Central complete so that I don't need to butcher my originals?? If not, I'm not making the mod. Anyone know about this???