Six tail lights

[William V.]

I just heard the old Jan & Dean Song "DEAD MAN'S CURV" and the verse "all he could see was my six tail lights" brought back memories of the tail light modification to 61 thru 67 Corvettes. I haven't seen this for years and wonder if there are still six tail lighted Corvettes around.

I suppose most that had this modification have been brought back to stock.

[Rob A.]

Re: Six tail lights

Bought a '67 coupe in '79, in San Diego, and it had six tail lights, from the previous owner. Bought it for $7200 and sold it in Chicago two years later for $7500, thought that was great. Guess it's all relative.

[Jim W.]

Re: Six tail lights

Bill, I still see them occasionally on modified cars, particularly in California. There is one though that is very special and that is a Goodwood Green '67 that was at the 2002 NCRS National Convention in Monterey. It was originally purchased by Bob Wingate, a major Chevy dealer in the '60's in California. It had six tail lights, white racing stripes, torq thrust mags (I believe) and Goodyear Blue Streaks and more. The current owner has all the documentation and old photos of the car and has restored it to the way Wingate had it in 1967 with the above mentioned features. Pretty cool. Maybe the owner or someone will post more information on the car.

[Donald T.]

Re: Six tail lights

Jim, there was an extensive article on that car a few months back. I think it was in Corvette Fever, but I'm not certain.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Six tail lights

we installed extra tailights when we put in a sequencial turn signal kit.

[Jim W.]

Re: Six tail lights

Don, Let us know if you find out what magazine or issue it was. That is one beautiful '67. Jim

[John H.]

Re: Six tail lights

There was a two-part series on the Wingate coupe (owned and restored by Bob Radke) in the Fall 2002 and Winter 2003 issues of the "Restorer"; fascinating reading. It received the American Heritage Award at the Monterey National Convention in 2002.

[Sydney G.]

Re: Six tail lights

There are still quite a few cars out there with this modification (at least for 1963) as I have seen many for sale ads with photos and 6 tail lights.
Syd

[William O.]

Re: Six tail lights

I thought it was my "Frenched tail Lights"

[Gary S.]

Re: Six tail lights

When I bought my 66 12 or 13 years ago, it had the "California mod" with six tail lights. About 9 years after I bought this car, I decided to remove the extra light and just repaint the mounting surface. Boy did I ever curse that decision. A full paint strip and repaint later, I had a great looking car.
Gary

[Dennis C.]

Six tail lights...

...My 1962 #99 Red/White Matt Rauan race car which was on the cover of The Restorer a while back had the California RPO 6 Tail light conversion, but over the years, someone had filled them in. Of course on a 61/62 one glance in the trunk area tells the tale. Once I uncovered the history of the car, the additional 2 lights were re-installed. Chevy should'a done it that like that anyway. Looks cool, easy to do in a half a day. No wonder it was a popular mod.

[Michael H.]

Re: Six tail lights

The story that was going around in the late 60's and 70's was that only the fuel injected 63's came from the factory with 6 tail lights.

I heard that Harry Mann Chevrolet in Los Angeles was installing the extra lamp in all new 63's unless the new owner requested otherwise. Not sure of that's true but there sure were a lot of Harry Mann cars with the extra lamps.

[Jim W.]

Re: Six tail lights

Monterey was the first time I saw the Wingate coupe since I'm an East Coaster (South Florida) but it made an impression on me. I enjoyed looking talking with Mr. Radke's and looking through his photo album. Another very special Corvette. (John, Thanks for the reminder about the Restorer article on this car. I want to go back and revisit it.)

[Steve G.]

Re: California RPO?

OK, people are talking like these really exist... I don't see anything in the Black Book, is there someone who has real information about this? Does NCRS recognize 6 taillights on a '61-2 or 3?? I'm not talking about mysterious rumors, real facts now.

[Gary S.]

Re: California RPO?

Steve, I believe that Dennis' tongue was firmly planted in his cheek. Can you say "having a little fun here"?

Gary