1971 Tail Light Lens - Early or Late???

[Peter B.]

Hi Everyone. I want to replace my tail light lenses. I noticed in the catalogs there are "early" and "late" lenses. How can I tell which one I have based on my old ones?

Thanks!!!!!!

[Dick W.]

Re: 1971 Tail Light Lens - Early or Late???

About VIN 7,000 1971 they changed to the later style.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1971 Tail Light Lens - Early or Late???

The later style being the 72 style with the rounded center of the lens; the early lens is the same as 70 or with a conical center. The early style will be harder to find NOS.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 Tail Light Lens - Early or Late???

Chuck,

Trim Parts makes an excellent reproduction of both lenses. I can't think of a reason to spend much time looking for either in NOS form.

Patrick

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1971 Tail Light Lens - Early or Late???

I agree...I doubt you can find either lens design NOS anymore. They were getting scarce when I bought mine ten or fifteen years ago. I avoid telling folks you can't find original parts unless I KNOW it's true...it shouldn't take them long to confirm if it's a lost cause.

[Geoff C.]

Re: 1971 Tail Light Lens - Early or Late???

Chuckster

Psssssssssst ...
I just checked a database that has 90 complete new genuine 70-early 71 complete
lamp assemblies in their original GM boxes, but sadly there were only 19 late 71-73 lamp lenses only in their original GM skin packages.

Geoffrey

[Chuck S.]

Well, There You Go...

Don't ever say never! Complete light assemblies...cool.

Owners of old Corvettes are very lucky someone was smart enough to buy all those old parts and store them away in a database for a rainy day.