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Technical Model A tail lights

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by 53studecoupe, Feb 10, 2021.

  1. 53studecoupe
    Joined: Nov 25, 2010
    Posts: 379

    53studecoupe
    Member
    from Eagle WI

    I see a lot of non ford tail lights ie Pontiac or Zephyr on model A's. I personally don't care for the long mounts on the fenders either. My question is why do we go with non ford lights? I think the original lights look good flushed in with brackets inside holding them in place. Thoughts? 20210201_103413.jpg
     
    brEad, Stogy, continentaljohn and 3 others like this.
  2. sloppy jalopies
    Joined: Jun 29, 2015
    Posts: 5,256

    sloppy jalopies
    Member

    i tunneled a pair of '33-'36s tail lights, back in 2016...
    set in about 2", just the bezel and lens extended beyond the skin... looked great and i have not seen another... will also make mounting the sockets etc. easier than having to make everything yourself...
    just MO...
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2021
    Stogy likes this.
  3. flynbrian48
    Joined: Mar 10, 2008
    Posts: 8,240

    flynbrian48
    Member

    That’s why it’s hot rodding. You get to do whatever you like. IMG_2842.JPG


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2021
    Jet96, 5window, Steves46 and 6 others like this.
  4. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,472

    goldmountain

    Just don't put in Mustang tailights.
     
    Jet96, Mr48chev, wackdaddy and 9 others like this.

  5. 53studecoupe
    Joined: Nov 25, 2010
    Posts: 379

    53studecoupe
    Member
    from Eagle WI

    Good answer.
     
    Stogy likes this.
  6. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 4,152

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Or a couple of desk lamps I bought at Lowes, cut down so Model A/'32 taillights slip right in. xxx.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2021
    Frankie47, Stogy, blowby and 6 others like this.
  7. That's what I like about hot rods, you can do whatever you want. HRP

    I used 48 Ford tail lights on my roadster. HRP

    [​IMG]
     
    Stogy and Blues4U like this.
  8. Corn Fed
    Joined: May 16, 2002
    Posts: 3,281

    Corn Fed
    Member

    Back in the day it was about making your car look a little more modern. So that's why so many got 39 Ford, 48 Ford, 48 Chevy and 51 Pontiac lights put on them. They were newer, had the right (lack of) curve to fit the back of the body, and had self contained buckets. If you had a drill and/or a chisel you could put them on in 10 minutes or less. No real fabrication involved.
     
  9. 53studecoupe
    Joined: Nov 25, 2010
    Posts: 379

    53studecoupe
    Member
    from Eagle WI

     
  10. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,536

    continentaljohn
    Member

  11. Blues4U
    Joined: Oct 1, 2015
    Posts: 7,589

    Blues4U
    Member
    from So Cal

    continentaljohn likes this.
  12. Dino 64
    Joined: Jul 13, 2012
    Posts: 2,408

    Dino 64
    Member
    from Virginia

  13. KevKo
    Joined: Jun 25, 2009
    Posts: 931

    KevKo
    Member
    from Motown

    Why is the sky blue? And please, no Vega lights.
     
  14. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,348

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Perhaps a little higher...I get you may be making them parallel to the plate but they may look better centered...your call of course...;)

    20201017_205717.jpg

    :rolleyes:...While mine are Pontiac the size and profile are similar...

    Update...I just saw your roadster for sale and gone...I hope your health issues have gotten better...I think what you did was awesome...If I had your ride I wouldn't have changed a thing...
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2022
    GordonC, Frankie47 and brEad like this.
  15. 53studecoupe
    Joined: Nov 25, 2010
    Posts: 379

    53studecoupe
    Member
    from Eagle WI

     
  16. 53studecoupe
    Joined: Nov 25, 2010
    Posts: 379

    53studecoupe
    Member
    from Eagle WI

    Because the model A lights are not flush mounted the housings hit the inside curved trunk panel. Noticed that too...
     
    Stogy likes this.
  17. Steves46
    Joined: Sep 23, 2008
    Posts: 533

    Steves46
    Member
    from Florida

    I have 39 teardrops.
    72DD3C18-954D-4B12-846B-5AF5AB7ECAB5.jpeg
     
    bowlingball and Stogy like this.
  18. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,348

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Would a gasket of sorts allow it to fit the curved panel...My panel is a Custom fab or repop and lacks the curvature of OEM but again a gasket would probably rectify that issue...
     
  19. Guy Patterson
    Joined: Nov 27, 2020
    Posts: 372

    Guy Patterson

    sure or build a small spacer to move them out ever so slightly
     
  20. denis4x4
    Joined: Apr 23, 2005
    Posts: 4,203

    denis4x4
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Colorado

    79F336D7-7E1E-4FEF-A561-D48512092991.jpeg

    Stock Model A pickup light brackets will enable one to use ‘53 Ford pickup lights.
     
  21. I think they look great. Make them fit.
     
  22. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,979

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I think that they would look great too but Ol' Blue 's suggestion of Make them fit also hit on what is probably the reason you don't see them used, you actually have to make them fit. With most of the popular lights the time consuming part of the install is getting them laid out right so they are all even and square and sit just right. No welding or real body work,. Just drill some holes and get out the saber saw or hole saw for the bigger holes. To do the A taillights right is going to take some thinking and then some real work.
     
    daylatedollarshort likes this.
  23. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,536

    continentaljohn
    Member

    Cool taillights but that’s all I know about them .LaFrance firetruck back in the day I was told but haven’t found a picture yet
     
    Blues4U likes this.
  24. Personally, I don't have a problem with the stock light! 111.JPG
     
    Stogy, Just Gary and continentaljohn like this.
  25. I bobbed the fenders and the taillights. I like model A parts on model A’s. Especially grills and frames.
    9162A624-B992-4FDA-8533-05EAFDEF2CA2.jpeg
     
  26. ClarkH
    Joined: Jul 21, 2010
    Posts: 1,424

    ClarkH
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Stock A lights are fine, especially if running stock headlights. But to my eye, if you're running King Bees or BLCs or some other aftermarket light on a cool dropped bar, a corresponding change to the taillights can bring everything together.
     
  27. Like this.... 115.jpg
     
  28. Almostdone
    Joined: Dec 19, 2019
    Posts: 898

    Almostdone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Not sure if this would help that, but I made new panels in the trunk to cover the housings of the ‘39 Ford lights I used.

    “Make it fit”.

    john

    5C50E7A6-2195-4987-B3DB-811EF1FD7478.jpeg
     
    Stogy likes this.
  29. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,548

    5window
    Member

    My A had sequential Pontiac GrandPrix lights when I bought it. I'm running '50 Pontiacs now.
     
    Stogy likes this.

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