[T3] Question: Tail Light Lens?

[D & L Walters <waltee@prodigy.net>]

I believe that Euro spec lenses always had amber turn portions, whereas
US spec lenses had (were required, SAE, don't ya know) to have a red
turn signal portion late into the '70's, probably for the same reason
that US autos were required to have round headlights long after it was
shown that square lamps threw a better pattern (I don't know the real
answer to either question, other than perhaps 'cuz we didn't think of it
first) Nowadays, alot of US cars have amber turn signals to the rear,
although it is still illegal to have any color other than red for a
brake light (watch out, all you blue dot people) in  the US. I had to
sign a DOT affidavit attesting to the fact I would "never" use the Euro
lenses I bought from T-3 Detectives in GB because they were "illegal"
(I'm *still* not using them, in case anyone is looking over my shoulder
reading this). As for Type III tail lights, I've seen (early) flat
Euro's, flat all reds, "long" Euros's-I've been told that these are all
repros- and "long" all reds, like the ones found on all early US Type
III's. Late model Type III's (and Ghias, FTM) will take either US or
Euro spec lenses, and I've also heard that European Type III'ers lust
for all red lenses, too. As for Big Al's trivia question- I believe the
only difference in the two lenses appears to be the reflective "X"
patterned insert on either side about half way up. Please donate my
prize to the "Save the Big Bumpered Notches" Wildlife Fund. Thank you,
David "when in doubt, go to the garage and dig 'em out" Walters
'73 1600 L Notchback, with by the way, Euro spec tail light lenses,
S. FL, USA

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