I hope someone can help me with this. I've searched here and on the web and I can't find the inside diameter of panel opening for the 70-73 round tail lights. I hope I don't upset the purists among you, but I want to use these tail light lenses on the sports-car I'm building. Any help with that dimension would be very appreciated.

Bud

 

The opening is 5-1/2". Keep in mind that the light assembly uses a rubber gasket that fills some of that hole. Hope this helps and I'd be interested in seeing some pics of this sportscar.

 

Thanks for your quick reply. So basically they're about the same size as Vette lights except flat. I was sure hoping for something a bit smaller but I really like the look. I'd better mock up some 5 1/2" circles back there and make sure they don't overwhelm the back of the car before I go out and buy some. Maybe I can make them look a little smaller by making them a tight fit so that no gasket shows.

I can't post pics yet. When I can I'll post what I'm working on. It's a '70 Lotus Elan +2 with a 2.0l zetec crate motor (sorry about the ford talk). It will only be about 165-170HP, but the car is under 1800lbs.

 

Are you recessing the tail lights or mounting them flush? Have you looked into round LED tail lights, like what are used on trucks or trailers? I put a pair on my Jeep Wrangler, which is a popular mod to replace the stock lights. They fit into a 4.5" hole with either a rubber gasket or a screw on flange.

 

None of the gasket shows on the stock Camaro setup either. So that hole size is with the gasket hidden. The opening on a stock early 2nd gen has a lip bent in on it, and the gasket seals against the panel, not the lip. Reducing your hole size even further will result in the opening not sitting close to the lense.

 

Thanks for all your input. I plan on recessing whichever light I go with, very similar to the opening in the stock Camaro panel. I really like that look.

I actually bought C5 Vette lights (the oval ones) but they look immense back there. They'll go back on Fleabay where they came from. I have looked at the LED 4" round truck/trailer lights like those above. I may go that route if all else fails, but they do look like they belong on a truck, Jeep, or other utility vehicle.

The hunt for the right light is compounded by the fact that I live out in the middle of nowhere in Northern Nevada. The closest salvage yards are two and a half hours away and, as you can see, judging the sizes of lights from pictures isn't working well. Might be time for a road trip.

 

Another option may be the round Corvair tail lights. Those may be surface mount thou but Im sure they were smaller diameter than the Camaros.

 

Also take a look at United Pacific's online catalog for LED lighting. They have some very nice lighting options that aren't all factory style. I bought 4 lights for my Austin project and they are about 2.75"-3" round. I think they were about $20-$22 ea., and very nice items. Mine are surface mount, but the chrome rings are separate, so they could be flushed in without the trim rings. But they have a huge selection, so might find some designed to flush in also.

 

All great suggestions, thanks. The three inch lights look good on the back of your Austin.

After looking further at the 4" truck lighting selection available, I'll probably go that route. There are some available that don't have the industrial look and can be easily recessed mounted. When I get it done I'll post a pic or two.

Again, thanks for all your help.