History 1954 Packard Taillights...

One of my favorite tail lights on a kustom. I almost used them on my Merc. I wanted to copy Rod Powell's Buick. I don't know why you don't see this on other kustoms. I This is the only one that I know of....

 

I like them if done tastefully, but the 51 Merc (Gene Winfield?) reminds me of a girl with collagen lips!

 

HA HA I'll never look at them the same.

 

https://www.customcarchronicle.com/...hop/bob-lomax-53-chevy-by-ayala/#.XxWd3ChKjmE


https://www.customcarchronicle.com/featured-cars/52-chevy-the-lone-star-deluxe/#.XxWdEChKjmE


@axle


https://www.customcarchronicle.com/...4/03/CCC-ron-vincent-54-olds-10-W-602x379.jpg

 

Man this ones got me feeling like I really do need a mild custom. Loving it

 

I definitely think they look better on cars based on early 50's models. That collagen bit is really scary.

 

I don't think they look good on all the cars posted but the white/red one they fit very nicely.

 

This is good to see, especially as Penny announced the cancellation of this years Cruzin Nat in Santa Maria.
Stupid Virus!!

 

I've got a couple sets of these (one from BobK) and a pair of quarter cutoffs from a rough parts car, planning to use them on my '51 Merc, they're a favorite of mine as well. The rear view of my '55 Clipper was it's best angle by far.


Only inspiration pics I have, a couple are repeats I think.

 

Not mine,

 

I haven't seen that shoe box in a long time. They guy hadn't had it very long at that show I remember. He lived somewhere between Branson and Springfield, so up in your neck of the woods. I got a hood for my Merc from him. Wish I could remember his name and knew where the car is now if he doesn't still have it.

 

I always wondered what they would look like turned upside down and stood on end, either straight up and down or angled.

 

Thats Funny, Rober J Palmer

 

There was another orphan that used a similar light. Willys? Kaiser? Being a Packard guy I'm hip to em for sure but they always did remind me of the other, or others. Not unusual if at least the lenses were the same, even gently modified molds, given the "boutique" supply chains for such orphan makes. Just shipped a 57 Clipper (talk about tail lamps!) and it was a constant reminder of how Studebaker, Packard and Hudson were all essntially the same car and it's one of those "things" about the era. And no, I got nuttin to share but don't disagree with any of the above. That would be INCLUDING the lips...

 

It amazes me how there are so many parts of the mid-50s Packards, tail lights especially, but also bumpers, side trim, etc., that is so attractive, but somehow those cars in factory form were orphans and largely overlooked for customization. John D'Agostino's OZ-built 56 is about the only one I can think of that really went all the way.

 

Not trying to go OT, but I always thought 56 Packard senior taillight's just looked classy.

 

They did a '58 as well.

 

They did. "Rita". Even he couldn't make it into an attractive car. One of John D'Agostino's rare misses, IMHO.

 

Jersey Mike's fresh shoebox and Ray Soff's "Connecticut Yankee". Two great customs

 

Richard Zocchi's 1957 Dodge "Golden Godess", later owned by Brian Setzer.

 

Until this thread I never knew of these or paid much attention. They are unique

 

Are some of the frenched examples covering a portion of the lens with the sheetmetal? It's just odd that the frenched lenses look so small and the lights with bezels look so massive.

 

1954 Kaiser Darrin is similar in appearance .. dunno' if that was your thoughts or not. They’re different, but similar enough to ponder influences .. YES.

 

And now I know. The rear of a Kaiser Darrin.

 

Great choice for some. Today I think there used to often. My $0.02

 

thanks man!