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Expert
Posts: 2003
Location: Branson, MO | I was reading where the back-up lights were optional on the '61 DeSoto. I saw in some pictures where what looked the back-up light lens assembly was totally absent and the side trim that usually connected to the lens was short. It made the rear end of the car look like it was customized and actually look pretty good to me. However none of these pictures appeared to be factory as all the pictures shown in factory brochures and other publications have the standard back-up lights featured and whether their "dummies" or not - I don't know.
Does anyone know if the '61 DeSoto without back-up lights looked like the photo in the picture or was this customized?
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Attachments ---------------- ch1016-257583_8.jpg (81KB - 157 downloads)
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Location: The Mile High City | If they were an option, it seems more likely they would have blank plate inserts rather than having to cut out metal to install the option later. My guess is the image is a custom job. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9912
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
Here is a 61 Desoto with cheap-ass back-up lights:
This is all the 1961 Desoto brochure shows, i.e. With the big back-up lights
Edited by 56D500boy 2021-02-14 9:19 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2003
Location: Branson, MO | I actually like the "cheap-ass" back-up lights better than the factory version. Just my opinion though. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9912
Location: Lower Mainland BC | Viper Guy - 2021-02-14 6:48 PM
I actually like the "cheap-ass" back-up lights better than the factory version. Just my opinion though
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1960 Chryslers had a cheap-ass version too:
The fancy 61 Desoto back-up lights look like they used the 1961 Chrysler taillight housings with clear lenses:
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7410
Location: northern germany | Viper Guy - 2021-02-14 8:25 PM
Does anyone know if the '61 DeSoto without back-up lights looked like the photo in the picture or was this customized?
Of course the 61s w/o back up lights featured the same trim and body panels as the ones with back up lights. The 61 DS lenses/hsgs are impossible to find, hence the "cheap ass" mods in the pictures.
The OE back up light hsgs fit very well and you can see it was designed that way, the "cheap ass" mods looks completly out of place and aftermarket/added/home build.
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Expert
Posts: 2003
Location: Branson, MO | 1960fury - 2021-02-15 9:11 AM
Viper Guy - 2021-02-14 8:25 PM
Does anyone know if the '61 DeSoto without back-up lights looked like the photo in the picture or was this customized?
Of course the 61s w/o back up lights featured the same trim and body panels as the ones with back up lights. The 61 DS lenses/hsgs are impossible to find, hence the "cheap ass" mods in the pictures.
The OE back up light hsgs fit very well and you can see it was designed that way, the "cheap ass" mods looks completly out of place and aftermarket/added/home build.
Yeah, I guess the same can be said for the New Yorker pictured above? |
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Expert
Posts: 4043
Location: Connecticut | Aren't the '61 Chrysler taillight and Desoto back up light housings the same ? The difference being that the DeS has a clear lens and the Chry has a taillight lens.
Ron |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7410
Location: northern germany | ronbo97 - 2021-02-15 1:47 PM
Aren't the '61 Chrysler taillight and Desoto back up light housings the same ?
No |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7410
Location: northern germany | ronbo97 - 2021-02-15 1:47 PM
Aren't the '61 Chrysler taillight and Desoto back up light housings the same ? The difference being that the DeS has a clear lens and the Chry has a taillight lens.
Ron
No, different bumpers and body panels. The 61 back up hsgs fits the corner, goes along with the bumper design and joins the side trim in a tastefull way.
You can clearly see, it was designed for the car to work together with the trim.
The 60s have bumper wings, the bumper curves upwards and the round back up light hsg fits that round corner quite well. That said, it looks certainly more
"aftemarket add on" than the 61 design. |
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