G-BOAC

Quick question - I never thought midyears had anything but four taillights, two per side. But I've seen four separate photographs or articles in recent Corvette magazines, and today, a picture of a 63 split-window fuelie, with six taillamps, rather than the traditional four.

A fellow enthusiast at work today told me that this was an option -- but I simply haven't seen this on ANY midyears with these rare exceptions. And I know that two of the cars with six taillamps were special "one-off" factory builds that Bunkie Knudsen had built for him and his wife.

My question is, can anyone shed some light on this? Were any production midyears built with six taillamps as an RPO, did this signify a special build (e.g., COPO or one-off) or a very special RPO (e.g., Z06), or is this simply a late-year aftermarket mod that someone did in a bad effort to be cool at the cost of originality???

thanks!
Mark

Hitch

All midyears came with 4 lights in the back now not all were tail lights. On cars optioned with back up lights until they became standard would have two red and two white. There were never any factory cars that had six taillights though. It was a California Custom thing. I'm sure that some dealers did it to make some $$$$$..

Dave

kbuhagiar

Bingo!

62Jeff

6 tail lights was not a factory option, but at least one famous dealer appears to have made the mod to in-stock cars when new
http://www.67fso.com/

vettebuyer6369

Four. Period.

G-BOAC

That's what I thought!!!!!!! As it was, and as it always should be. Just wanted to make sure that I wasn't missing something!

Thanks also for clarifying about the backup lights - were these offered as an RPO starting in 66 (two clear round lenses on inside pair of lights), with the 67's getting the dual rectangular center-mounted backup lights as standard equipment?

thanks!
Mark

G-BOAC

Hey Jeff! Awesome story and awesome car.

My personal tastes though - loved EVERYTHING about the car but the green color! Sunfire Yellow, black, white, red, silver -- just about any color but green for me!

cheers,
Mark

Tom/99

ucc2ic65

Option in 65, standard equipment in 66, 67's had a single rectangular light mounted on the back above the license plate.

capevettes

The six tail lights was also part of the Jan and Dean song from the sixties "Dead Man's Curve." "All the Jag could see was my six tai lights."

mredi1

My 65 have 2 red and 2 white.

raytex

Was the taillight fiberglass panel already prepared for this option in 65 in the factory?
Reason I ask is that my 65 has the regtangular hole but it is closed from behind with a piece of fiberglass.

Or did my car have this option and someone closed it?

Ray

Ol Blue

I believe that 64 was the first year for the backup light option. Early Corvette dream cars had the six taillights so it was a natural to put them as a modification. I have a template and did several for people "back in the day". Not too many calls for it's use today.
Ol Blue

Ron Miller

I think you're missing something here. No special preparation of the rear panel was required, all rear panels on mid-years were prepared at the factory for four taillights. When backup lights became available, the two inner taillights were not installed, and backup lights with clear lenses were installed in these two holes instead. Worked that way until 1967 when the backup light was moved to an opening above the rear license plate, and again the rear four holes were used for red taillights!!

Any mid-year with 6 holes for rear taillights had two extra cut by someone after the car left St. Louis.

redred65cpe

'63 and '64 had the T86 backup lamp option and starting in '65 the Z01 "comfort and convenience" option included them.

larry

Black_Magic

Ray

Here's a '65 with optional Backup Lights Nothing special to fiberglass

George

ghoastrider1

The six hole was pure custom,from back in the 60s. Personaly,I like the look. Another common custom touch was to put a back seat in,using the back seat of an old ****** jeep.Great place to put small kids.

raytex

Guess I did not read it properly and sorry if I was not clear enough but I was refering to the regtangular light above the licence plate.
My car (65) appears to have had this light but the rectangular opening has been closed again.
Will try to post a picture when I am home (very busy at work right now )

Ray

here a picture

[IMG][/IMG]

Or is this just a damage repair?

raypilot65

Looks like someone put a 67 back-up light in at some time and then changed it back, or you have a 67 rear clip.

Steve

G-BOAC

George,

That is a goregous midyear. What color/paint code is it?

thanks!
Mark