1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

[Justin B.]

Is there any way to repair the socket in the tail light housings?

[William C.]

Re: 1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

Talk about an open question? It really all depends on what is wrong. Most of the electrical connection is integrated into the Harness, so what shape is that end in for starters? Can the harness be connected to the socket? the socket is only used as a ground and to retain the bulb in contact with harness on those years as I recall.

[Justin B.]

Re: 1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

I hope this makes some since so I'll try to explain as best as I can....I need to learn how to download pictures!
When I look at the socket I consider it to be in two sections. There is the end that the bulb locks into place and then the "tube" that extends into, and is flared on the inside of the tail light housing. The socket or the end that holds the bulb is broken off. I know that I can remove the entire socket (both ends) but is there anything that I can replace it with? These used housing have two or three very minor pits and would be perfect for rechroming.

[Justin B.]

Re: 1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

By the way, are there any differences between the repro and the originals that the judges would pick up on?

[Joe M.]

Re: 1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

The major vendors sell a pig tail that replaces bad wiring to the housings, but not sure if the bulb holder can be repaired. Once the red plastic lens is in place, that is all the judges can see. What they can see from inside the trunk is where you would splice the wires from the new housing to the wiring harness.

[Richard S.]

Re: 1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

Regarding differences between repro and originals, were the original 59 & 60 tail light lens stamped with "58" are did the original lens stamping change with the model year?

[Joe M.]

Re: 1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

My original 1960 lens were stamped 58.

[Donald H.]

Re: 1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

From what I understand, the GUIDE 58 was the same for 58-60. I have a couple of originals off my 1960 and repros and they look the same to me. The only difference is the stainless trim down the center of the lens, and there is an old restorer technique to replace the repro stainless trim with one from an original. I did that for two of the reproductions lens on my car.

Justin, I would think you might be able to find a trashed housing, maybe advertise on the Corvette Forum Parts section. and take the lamp holder/wire assembly out and install in yours. Mine is all together now, so I can't remember how the lamp assembly is actually attached to the housing.

I've not used a reproduction one, but when I was deciding to restore or replace mine (one had a loose and bent lamp assembly), the feedback I got was that the reproductions would start to pit more quickly that a good rechromed original. But I have no experience to verify this.

[John H.]

Re: 1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

Regarding differences between repro and originals, were the original 59 & 60 tail light lens stamped with "58" are did the original lens stamping change with the model year?

Richard -

The "58" on the lens is the year that the photometrics of the lens design were certified as meeting SAE specs, not the year the lens was made.

[Richard S.]

Re: 1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

John:

Then, one would expect that on a early 58 Vette the lens would be stamped "57" however, this is not the case.

[John H.]

Re: 1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

John:

Then, one would expect that on a early 58 Vette the lens would be stamped "57" however, this is not the case.

Richard -

I don't recall offhand if the SAE certification date was molded into the lens prior to 1958 or not, and I don't have a '57 available to check a lens. However, the same lens fresnel and reflective design was used through 1967; if you look at the lens on a '67, you'll also see "58" molded into it.

[Richard S.]

Re: 1958-1960 Tail Lamp Housings

John,

In support of your statement, my 84 Vette did have lens stamped 83'.