California option

[Gary F.]

I had the good fortune to find a 65 coupe awhile back that was a low mileage,AC car from S. Calif., in excellent condition, documentation back to the 60's, and the previous owner of nearly 30 years willing to share plenty of info on it. I had big reservations when looking at the car though, because it had the "California option" - triple tail lights! The remainder of the car was original/restored stock.

I ended up purchasing the car but was not sure about those lights.

To my surprise, I have come across several triple tail light cars, mostly in pristine condition since then. I have shared many fond hours and a few brews discussing these lights at local shows. After doing some additional correct restoration myself, I would now like to have it judged to find out what else it needs to bring it up to NCRS stds. But I fear the point deduction for the tail lights.

I'm curious how many other midyears are out there with this "option" and what their experiences are good or bad. What should I do?

[Bill Bonnichsen]

Re: California option

Gary, I also have a 65 coupe with the triple tailights and after considerable thought and posting a message on the board I have decided that the lights are part of the history of this particular car and since I have no plans of having the car judged in a NCRS event or such I plan on leaving them on and just enjoying my Vette the way it is. The rest of the car is orginal and as I understand and have been told by people who seem knowledgeable on the subject, it doesn't take away from the value. I know this doesn't answer your question about points but just giving you another view on the subject. I hope you enjoy your mid year as much as I enjoy mine.

[Tom Freeman]

Re: California option

The triple tail lights were an after market customizing trend in Calif. So many were converted that it developed the name of California Taillights. It is totaly not original or factory. As for the points deduction, maybe one of the judges can comment.

tom...

[Gary S.]

Re: California option

Gary, when I bought my 66 10 years ago, it too had the triple tail lights. I lived with it since I didn't show the car and it had a very professional look to it. When my gas tank developed a small leak I decided to go ahead and pull that extra tail light out. This was an easy job, since the spare tire tub and gas tank were already out. After I had the tank out, re-glassing in the holes was easy but I was disappointed at the quality of the modification, once I was able to look at it closely. The hole wasn't very neat and the wiring splicing looks it was done by a 15 year old trying to wire a new stereo. VERY ugly.

If you like the way it looks, great. If you want to pull it, that is easy too.

Gary 21316

[Lou Lapham]

Re: California option-Urban legend?

Here in the Detroit area there was a employee of the Corvette Shop,a repair shop for Corvettes,that converted by his own addmission at least 50+ midyears to 6 tailights.He claims he saw a dealer in California that advertised this as an option.He has yet to produce the hard data.He still retains his original hole saw he used to commit this sacrilage.At least one of my fellow Downriver Corvette Club members cars,a 64 coupe carries the scars from,"Frankie's curse",under a restored tailight panel.I think he's going to start a support group for other Vettes that have this now hidden modification.There also are a few around here who just grin and bare it,6 tailights and all!Seriously the first time i remember 6 tailights in a Vette they were on Big John Mazmanian's 61 race car.One of Jan and Dean's versions of Dead Man's Curve imortalized this modification with the line,"All the Jag could see were my 6 tailights".The other had the 6 tailights line replaced by "Frenched tailights".Gary,if you like it keep them and wear them with pride. "Frankie" he no longer goes by that name,has been known to post on this board. Lou

[Juliet P.]

Re: California option-Urban legend?

OK, totally wet behind the ears green newbie question here... Does someone have a picture of what this looks like? I'm having a hard time envisioning it... I keep seeing cyclops lights. :p Is there a pic online? Or if someone has one, I'll be happy to put it online & post it if you can e- me the picture! Please? Thanks! ~Juliet


Got a '70? Click here to Visit the Online 1970 Corvette Registry! E-mail me to join!

[Chuck S.]

Re: California option-Urban legend?

Juliet,

I have seen pictures of this modification, but I don't have one available now.

On each side of the car, a third tail-light is added inboard of the two original tail-lights with identical center-to-center spacing as the two originals. The effect is to have three equally spaced tail-lights on each side, reminiscent of the '65 Chevy Impala (and, I guess, the '58,'60-'64 Impalas too).

Ah, but that was before your time; you'll have to buy a copy of "Super Chevy" magazine.

Chuck Sangerhausen

[Ol Geezer]

Re: California option-Urban legend?

One of our lab techs had this mod on his '67. Had difficulty w/ current draw in the brake lights.

Have also seen Riv tail lights installed. Looked quite clean. I guess that, as the General has foresken round tail lights on C-4s and C-5s, just about anything goes.