1960 tail light lens brackets

[Terry K.]

Decided to have the rear tail light housings re-plated on my 1960. Looks like I erroneously assumed that the rear brackets that hold on the outer red lens were interchangeable. From what I can now see, there is a left and a right. I believe that the one with the minimum amount of lines goes on the left side, and the one with the most lines goes on the right. Can someone who has been down this road confirm?
Also what size rivets should I used to reattach them, and where can I buy them in small quantities?
Thanks

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 tail light lens brackets

Terry,

I'm thinking that those lines are simply artifacts from the automated bending machine operation. They may have relativity to location, but not sure.

I don't have any loose housings around but just 4 screws and I'll take one off of my '59 and snap you a few photos later when I get out to the garage.

Rich
P.S. on the rivets, do you have any photos of their style before you drilled them out? What are they made of, stainless? If so, I may have some here.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 tail light lens brackets

My friend Rich Mauser just sent me these excellent photos to save me the trouble of taking my car apart.

Note rivets are tubular.

[Terry K.]

Re: 1960 tail light lens brackets

Thanks for the confirmation and pics. At the last minute, I included the tail light housings in with a big batch of other items going to the chrome plater. In my haste, I did not remove the brackets, nor did I take photos. Fortunately the plater removed the brackets and returned them to me when he was done. So I had no idea of orientation or rivet size. It never occurred to me that the parts and rivets would be SS…..The brackets are magnetic, but there is zero rust. So they must be the kind of SS that is magnetic. I think that is sort of confirmed in Rich's photos as there looks to be a lot of age and oxidation on the rest of the housing, but no rust.
I am ordering some 1/8”dia X 3/16^th SS semi-tubular rivets. Hopefully that will work.Thanks again for the support!