is there a kit to convert round tail lights to rectangular?

[t walgamuth]

I like the look of the early tail lights. Were they installed on any original 427 cobras?

[1985 CCX]

If your car has the two per side and installed correctly all you need is a cutting tool to connect upper to lower and two Lucas L542 units.
Very simple......

If you need a backing plate that can be cut from alloy from the hardware store.

[Blas]

You will need boxes inside the trunk for the sockets and they also act as reflectors. I might have 2 boxes available if you are interested. You want the 2 bulb versions not the single bulb unless you also want to wire in a converter. LED versions are also available but quite costly by comparison to bulb units.
Blas

[patrickt]

Go with the LED upgrade. It's a one time cost that will last the life of the car, and the performance improvement is impressive. LED Upgrade to Rear Rectangular Lights

[desgros@vtlink.]

The LED upgrade is much brighter and safer. The relay for the directional lights will have to be changed if LED's are used.

John
ERA #3010 Slabside SB 289 BRG

[joyridin']

Get the LED versions. The non-LED are about impossible to see and you would be shocked how many people do not see the LED versions.

Just doing a basic search on Google, they show CSX 3004, 3045, 3006, 3169 and others with the rectangular tail lights.

[patrickt]

That's why you need an attractive and functional third brake light that looks OEM. 3rd Brake Light/Running Light - Detailed Instructions & Part Numbers ("Chas. Runner")

[patrickt]

Here's a pic. It's almost at perfect eye level for the idiot behind you.

[strictlypersonl]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I like the look of the early tail lights. Were they installed on any original 427 cobras?

I think they were used on about the first 1/3 of the 427s. However, the fender shape is different so they aren't going to fit very well.

[xb-60]

Here's a pic. of CSX3003, the earliest 427 that arguably could be called a "production" car....



Cheers,
Glen

[PaulProe]

427 cars below CZX3200 had the rectangular lights and the body shape to match them.

3200 and higher had the four round lights with a slightly different rear shape to accomodate them.

Fiberglass bodies are easily modified to accomodate the different lights. Blas is right about the standard rectangular lamp needing an internal reflector. Even with the reflector, they are not the brightest

Paul

[t walgamuth]

Thanks guys for all the helpful comments

So sort of a semi advanced electrical project. The rectangular lights are not very bright? The round ones I have are brighter?

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Thanks guys for all the helpful comments

So sort of a semi advanced electrical project. The rectangular lights are not very bright? The round ones I have are brighter?

The round taillights are brighter. I upgraded to LED lights from Superbrightleds.com for my round taillights and they are, well, super bright. I left the standard 1157 incandescent bulbs in the front and my old-style relay still works just fine. If you put LEDs up front as well, you probably will need to get a new relay designed to work with LEDs.

If you do upgrade to LEDs, be sure to get red.

Kevin

[t walgamuth]

Thanks Kevin! Do you mean red LED bulbs? ...Or lenses?

[kevins2]

Red LED bulbs. The red taillight lenses will filter out all the other spectrum colors anyway, so red LEDs allow all the light to pass through and are very bright.

Kevin

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Thanks guys for all the helpful comments

So sort of a semi advanced electrical project. The rectangular lights are not very bright? The round ones I have are brighter?

The LED rectangular lights are bright, they are just small and low. I thought I read somewhere the original Cobras changed to the round due to DOT regulations at the time. I have to believe the round are a lot easier to see especially if the guy behind you is in a truck or SUV.

[t walgamuth]

Thanks guys!

[CHANMADD]

A Lucas motorcycle rear light ,has the license plate light and taillight and brake light all in one....and cheap.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by CHANMADD

A Lucas motorcycle rear light ,has the license plate light and taillight and brake light all in one....and cheap.

But does it look as cool as my custom made one?

[kevins2]

Tom, whatever tail light configuration you go with, get the Superbright LEDs. They are significantly brighter than the incandescent bulbs and, accordingly, much easier to see.

Kevin