Tail Light Repair

So what to do about a hard to find, rare car tail light when there is not enough of the original lens remaining to simply patch up with lens tape?

Here is my first attempt at trying this technique.

Ok, the duct tape and gate marker reflectors worked for the short term, but since it could be a very long time before I locate a replacement, I wanted something that looked better and would be a more durable temporary fix.




As you can see, there is a lot missing. (red sharpie marker on the bulbs works in a pinch, but does not last very long)
This isn't a simple flat lens, it stands out several inches and rises in two steps.
It gets taller and wider towards the center of the car.





I used a sheet of clear plastic from the packaging of something I had bought and trimmed it to the correct width. I began bending it to match the contours of each step in the base of the lens. I used hot glue, so that it would not be permanent and I could make another attempt if it did not turn out well.





Once the shape is formed and attached, apply the lens tape to the new shell.




Reassembled on the car. Not perfect, but a much better looking temporary repair. Good enough to be legal, and should last quite a while.

 

Wow Steve, that actually turned out dang good. I was gonna suggest looking at 79-81 Firebird/Trans Am tails for just the plastic.

 

Now that is freakin' awesome! I've got one trailer light like that, and I don't want to import new replacements from Mexico. Mexican Nissan truck model, rear box. Impressive!

 

i dont know bubba i,m kinda diggin the duck tape thing,,,,,,,just kidding that looks good,,,,that car though rings a bell i remember seein one of them around here relatively close but i dont remember where

 

Steve...dont make me find one...
.what year and model is it?:confused:


otherwise.....snot bag (not bad)!!!

 

Rev, If you can find one, you be da' man.
Even the Corona fan sites have not been helpful.
It is my understanding that very few of these came to the North American market. Most of them stayed in Asia, or went to Australia and Brazil.

1974 Toyota Corona Mark II - MX13

I would want the entire assembly if one was available.
The backup light housing has broken assembly bosses and is clinging on for dear life.
I am also missing that corner chrome trim and the rocker trim. The trunk trim may be salvageable.

 

...dont expect miracles....but i have been known

 

is a 76 the same???.....if so....

these guys have one...
Blake's Small Car Salvage, Inc. USA-CO(Erie) E-mail 1-800-665-4326

as do these guys
Ten Acres, Inc. USA-TX(Houston) E-mail 1-800-553-7406

dude....your gonna owe me so much BV....

 

and these guys have a right....hey cant hurt to ask...
DeNaples Auto Parts USA-PA(Dunmore) 1-800-426-9696

nite johnboy

 

Not likely. They seemed to change every year and even differences between variants.

eg. this is a 1974 MX10 model. The lens looks the same, but the rest of the assembly is not.




Thanks for the links. I'll check them out.

 

Steve, keep the old one. You just never know when some shmuck will poke it.

 

No go from those guys. But thanks for trying.

 

Nice job on the taillight, Steve. Necessity is the mother on invention, they say, and your new "remanufactured" lens is evidence of that.

 

Nice work.
As an alternative, for a more permanent solution, you could try to fit another taillamp that has a similar shape. may require some minor sheet metal work to the rear body panel to mount it, though. As an example...'70 Torino:

 

I've thought about a custom fab job for alternate tail lights, but considering the rarity of this car, I want to keep it stock. Although I'm enjoying this car and plan on continued improvements to it, selling it off to a Toyota collector to fund another project is not out of the question.