Tail Lights

by Frank Colgoni

There is an opportunity when selecting a tail light treatment to either follow conventional/traditional treatments or express some individuality. I wanted to follow the latter path and go with a "signature" design that I had used previously on a full-fendered coupe. Specifically, utilize a '32 tail light housing but add a cone shape to the back side that would mimic the headlight. Also, I visualized the rough placement to be below the body outside of the frame rail. The light housings are Vintique and are both passenger side units. Modification and mounting system was carried out by Dream Machines Ltd.

To being, John Edwards and I spent some time establishing the exact location. After that John took over and began the fabrication process.

To make the cone, John started with a piece of round bar stock which he cut down on the lath to create a positive form. Utilizing this form and a manual hydraulic press, he formed material for the cone.

On the left is a piece of cone material still sitting on top of the forming piece. On the right is just the cone.

At right is the cone sitting on top of the '32 tail light housing prior to welding.

With the cone made, John turned to the fabrication of the mounting arm. To begin this process, John made a fixture to hold the housing utilizing the existing fastening locations on the back of the housing.

This was put in the mill vice and, to act as the mounting arm, a piece of tubing was bent to 90 degrees and held in correct alignment using the mill chuck. Slick. The arm was then welded to the housing. The cone could then be welded to the housing and a mounting plate added to the end of the arm.

Here is the completed piece showing the mouting plate. The mounting plate has studs on the back side which protrude though the trunk floor. Wiring passes through the housing and arm into the trunk.

We both thought that the final result had nice symmetry and was complimented by the tail pipes.

Final product in paint

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