70 Rear Marker Lights

[Jeff A.]

My rear marker lights are made of white plastic. Should they be die cast ? Also, they appear to have been glued to the body, but have 2 threaded pieces with washer, lock washer and nut on them. Are there supposed to be brackets that hold the lights to the body ? If so, is the bracket one U shaped piece or 2 separate L shaped pieces ? What type of metal and dimensions are they.

Thanks Jeff

[Chuck S.]

Re: 70 Rear Marker Lights

Jeff, your rear side marker lights should fit into rectangular pockets in the rear fenders.

There should be a hole in the back of the pocket that is roughly sqare (full height X 1/3 of the length), through which the marker light housing extends to receive the lamp. On either side of this square hole are smaller round holes in the fiberglass to receive the marker light housing studs. Nuts are used on these studs to retain the marker lights. The AIM shows no plain, special or lock washers (UPC12, Sheet C6).

My memory is really strained on this one, but I remember the rear portion of my housings being a light green plastic (front or rear?) with the plastic lens CEMENTED to the back housing to form a one-piece assembly. The lens may have a chrome-plated or silver painted bezel on the plastic. I recall the marker light housings being very light, impossible to disassemble, with no die-cast components.

[Joe R.]

Re: 70 Rear Marker Lights

Jeff,

Your rear marker lamps were die cast and chromed with the lens glued to make a complete housing with lens. Part numbers were 397653 and 397654 and have been discontinued by GM. Trim parts makes and excellent reproduction and can be purchased at your favorite Corvette emporium. These lamps were used from 70-73 and maybe into early 74. The 74 thru 82 were gray plastic with a chrome edge and glued in lens.

Regards,

JR

[Craig S.]

Re: 70 Rear Marker Lights

JR - my early 74 built on Oct 24 (#6823) has the die cast lights. I bought a replacment once, and it was plastic, so I ordered the 73 P/N and it was the die cast (this was a long time ago Craig

[Dick W.]

Re: 70 Rear Marker Lights

I also have seen early '74's with the diecast lamp housings. Have seen them mixed, plastic and diecast, on the same car. Very early on in model year