GT Tail lights

[pancho]

Copyright 'pancho 2013'

Ok, so there are the following tail lights that I know of. I will post pictures when I get a chance. Note: None of the body gaskets are properly interchangeable.

Metal Housings:

GT/GTV/GTC/GTJ/GTA (pre 1750 GT)
* Carello - Lens is a one piece unit no chrome surround (this is provided by the base). The reflector has two bolts and chrome surround. Found in Euro spec of Amber and red and US spec of Red Red. There is a metal partition between the two colours. No reproductions available.






* Altissimo - two split half pieces of amber and orange (never seen a red/red set). Chrome surround again provided by the metal base. Reflector is a separate one bolt item with chrome surround. There is a few revisions of the amber lenses. The partition is always provided by the amber (indicator lens) and is either in silver paint, black tape or I have seen some with no partition mechanism. No reproductions available.






** GTA - unsure if the GTA would use such a heavy metal housing - perhaps if there was no option of plastic pre 1967....


1750 GT S1
Carello - One piece plastic lens with reflector built in. No chrome surround. The base is a two piece item. Metal back with a chromed plastic surround. The housing contains the partition. Body Gaskets are unique. No reproductions available.




Altissimo - One piece plastic lens with reflector built in and metal partition built into the lens. No chrome surround. I have never seen a set of bases up close. I know that they are once again metal backed and have no partition inside them.





Plastic housings:

GTV GTA GTJ GT 1750 S2
Carello - Plastic all in one lens, chrome surround built in and created by chrome paint (which scratches and fouls easily). Reflector is again a two pole type with chrome surround. Found in Euro spec of Red Red and Amber Red. White plastic housing with a partition built in. Carello marked Reproductions readily available and are not the same quality.

US Spec RED / RED




Euro Spec (Repros)


Altissimo
No known Altissimo plastic backed units.

Then there is the larger longer 2 litre Altissimo only type tail lights. Sorry, I don't go this far but I know there are a few types of lenses. Euro and US coloured.

[pancho]

Here's a few things on the repro v original lenses.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=157989557699463&set=a.157989534366132.1073741829.137555459742873&type=1&relevant_count=1

And here on the gaskets

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=161003224064763&set=a.161003187398100.1073741831.137555459742873&type=1&relevant_count=4

[aggie57]

6-HR sponsorship opportunity available.. 

[pancho]

Huh?

[Davidm1600]

Thanks Pancho that is hugely helpful. I wonder what's on my gtv. Will look more closely next time I visit the lockup shed. I had no idea there were so many differences. Great to learn something new.

[branko.gt]

..........................

Altissimo
No known Altissimo plastic backed units.

....

Not offered in the Patrick's shop = NOT KNOWN ! 

I have seen Altissimo branded lenses for the plastic backed units and they had reflector moulded in. They did not look very attractive and i thought they were repros rather than OEM item. There are similar looking repros offered on the usual UK sites but i have not seen them up close. They are not currently advertised as Altissimo.

[pancho]

Please provide evidence of said Altissimo plastic backed tail lights or a part number - I am very curious to see this.

yes, not known. I did not say there were none. But you seem to know everything - so show us Branko.

[Davidm1600]

Well having had a look at a photo I have of my GTV, it would appear I have Carellos, given Pancho's "catalogue of rear lights.

[DaveT]

Thanks Patrick, much appreciated by a 105 tail light dunce like me. Not sure it's helping me to mend my former obsessive ways though.

Is there a consensus that the repro Carello's are a bag of poop or will they do for a 'good driver'?

Dave

[ItalCarGuy]

Thanks Patrick for the info. Always good to know what I am looking at when I go to Concours shows etc.