58-59-60 Tail Light Outer Lens

[Donald H.]

I need a set of the lens for my 1960 restoration. I have been unsuccessful with bidding on NOS lens on Ebay. They last set went for $240.

Most of the corvette vendors sell repros, but I wonder if they are all from the same manufacturer?

Can someone recommend a vendor for repros base on your experience?

Thanks,
Don

[Jack H.]

Re: 58-59-60 Tail Light Outer Lens

To my knowledge Trim Parts is the only mfgr source for reproduction tail light lens. I'm pretty sure that's where most of the full-line catalog houses source their parts.

[Ted S.]

Re: 58-59-60 Tail Light Outer Lens

Most of the NOS ones are service replacements and aren't any better than the repros. Neither of them will pass the mustard when it comes to judging.

You need to get a pair of original stainless strips and put them on the repro lenses. The original stainless strips have a flat area at the rear and sit lower on the lens than the repros or service replacements. There was an article in the restorer awhile back on how to use the original strips and a repro lens to get close to the originals.

Hope this helps,

[Donald S.]

Re: 58-59-60 Tail Light Outer Lens

Don,

See the attached picture on what Ted was refering too. I've had success doing the transplanted strip on a repro lens with full judging credit.
Good luck!
Don

[Donald H.]

Re: 58-59-60 Tail Light Outer Lens

Thanks Don and Ted, I do have the originals with the correct stainless and have located the article on my Restorer CD. I will go that route

Don

[Keith R.]

Re: 58-59-60 Tail Light Outer Lens

Don,

See the attached picture on what Ted was refering too. I've had success doing the transplanted strip on a repro lens with full judging credit.
Good luck!
Don

Hey Don,

Are those NOS or doctored lens? Is the plastic tip at the end supposed to be shaped like that or is there a piece missing?

[Keith R.]

Re: 58-59-60 Tail Light Outer Lens

Most of the NOS ones are service replacements and aren't any better than the repros. Neither of them will pass the mustard when it comes to judging.

You need to get a pair of original stainless strips and put them on the repro lenses. The original stainless strips have a flat area at the rear and sit lower on the lens than the repros or service replacements. There was an article in the restorer awhile back on how to use the original strips and a repro lens to get close to the originals.

Hope this helps,

That's for sure. The NOS I just got off of e-BAY came in GM boxes and upon examination look no better than the ones I pulled off the car which were installed 25 years ago. In fact, the old lenses have a part number stamped on the inside - 5948773 so they could be old service replacements as well.

[Donald S.]

Re: 58-59-60 Tail Light Outer Lens

Hey Don,

Are those NOS or doctored lens? Is the plastic tip at the end supposed to be shaped like that or is there a piece missing?

Keith,

That pic was taken from an unrestored one owner '58. They had never been off the car.

Don

[Keith R.]

Re: 58-59-60 Tail Light Outer Lens

Just wondering about the shape of the plastic tip. Looks like it was broken.

[Bill M.]

Re: 58-59-60 Tail Light Outer Lens

Looks like it was broken.

Looks broken to me too (based on the originals on my '59).