I've got three different inner tail light lenses. What does the bottom one go to? I can't remember taking it out of anything.

 

looks like it should have a backup light in it!

 

The top one looks to be for a 70. No idea on the bottom 2. They look to be 71-72 but the back up lights are stand alones in the bumpers of all 3 year models.

 

I have never seen the one with the larger open section. It looks like the one in the center but someone has continued to cut out the flat area? Look real close at it & let us know. The top one is for the upper lens on '71 & '72.

 

I know the top two came from my 71. I don't know where the bottom one came from. I think it came from a spare set of tail lights I bought, but I'm not certain and I don't know for sure what year those were. One of the ones I'm restoring was one of these replacements I bought, but I can't remember if this came out of it. I'll have to take the other set apart and see what's in them.

edit: It really does not look like anything was cut out of it.

 

Hmm, I thought I posted this yesterday but must have deleted it by mistake.
Scott is right about the top one.
The other 2 are for the lower lens of the 71 Cutlass. The lowest one simply has the other red inner lens broken off. I believe they built the inner lens differntly because the outer lense has a built in diffuser in the middle. Have a look....

1972 - relies totally on inner lens for light diffusion; not plastic is very transparent


1971 - center of lenses have diffusers built in.


HA! Another thing to add to the thread "Differences between 1971 and 1972 Cutlass"

 

I'm certain that the center part was not removed from that lens. I don't think it would be possible for me to remove the center and have it look the way it does. I'll try to get some pictures, but there is a thin little line around the center of the opening that appears to me from the molds. There is also a very small number on the lens followed by a space then a 2, the other lenses have a 1 instead of a two. I'll post some more photos and such later after work.