Retro Tail Lughts

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davery
Posts: 806
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:51 pm
Your car is a: 1985 Spider
Location: Ohio

Retro Tail Lughts

Post by davery »

Is it posible to retro fit the older tail lights (1970 or so) onto an 85?
Don Avery
Dayton, OH/Sarasota,FL
1985 Pininfarina
2011 Eos
2012 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet
BEEK
Posts: 1833
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:45 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Spider
Location: clermont fl

Re: Retro Tail Lughts

Post by BEEK »

depends on your body man. the openings in the body are different, but the overall shape is the same. So yes it can be done, but you need to weld in some steel and make new openings for the smaller lights. i like the 68 style lights myself
Automotive Service Technology Instructor (34 year Fiat mechanic)
75 spider
, 6 Lancia Scorpions, 2018 Abarth Spider, 500X wifes, 500L 3 82 Zagatos. 82 spider 34k original miles, 83 pininfarina, 8 fiat spider parts cars
son has 78 spider
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azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: Retro Tail Lughts

Post by azruss »

not without some body modifications. Unfortunately, it means adding metal and not subtracting. There is a difference in early lights as well, so left and right need to be of the same year.
davery
Posts: 806
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:51 pm
Your car is a: 1985 Spider
Location: Ohio

Re: Retro Tail Lughts

Post by davery »

azruss wrote:not without some body modifications. Unfortunately, it means adding metal and not subtracting. There is a difference in early lights as well, so left and right need to be of the same year.
'It appears at some point the tail light opening increased in size. Anyone know what year that was?
Don Avery
Dayton, OH/Sarasota,FL
1985 Pininfarina
2011 Eos
2012 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet
bobplyler
Patron 2022
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Posts: 823
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:58 pm
Your car is a: 1979 spider 2000
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Retro Tail Lughts

Post by bobplyler »

1979
1979 Fiat Spider (since new)
2005 Lincoln LS (the wife's car)
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (daily driver)
1999 Honda Shadow VLX 600
1972 Grumman Traveller 5895L (long gone).
Ramzi

Re: Retro Tail Lughts

Post by Ramzi »

There are 4 spider tail lights.

'66-69 ... Single lens assembly w/o provision for reverse lens. The smallest assembly
~1971 (generally 1608cc cars)... Single turn signal & brake lens with separate reverse lens... The longest assembly
1970 and-1972-78... Separate turn signal, brake and reverse lens
1979on ... Teardrop style assembly ... Overall the largest assembly

It would take a bit of work to make any of the early assemblies fit in a late model Spider
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