Rear tail light fitment, how flush are the corners supposed to be?

[eriknetherlands]

Hi Guys, amids virus and staying at home in the Netherlands, there is actually some coupe time for me.

I'm digging the rear panels of my car and have cut both rear quarters, ready for (excelent fitting) walloth and Neesch patch panels.

My question is regarding how my tail lights fit in the point where they wrap around the fender towards the cars' sides. They are about 4 to 5 mm overflush, sticking out from the quarter panel . Both taillights side have this, my left has 3 mm, the right taillight sticks out 5 mm, but that seems to have previous damage repairs.

In the second and third picture i tried to show which dimension i measured. I expect that the surface are supposed to be flush, but mine are not.

How are unrestored cars in this aspect? Anyone with a possibilty to measure?

 

[bavbob]

The holes for bezel attachment are ovoid so there is some room for lateral movement.

 

[rsporsche]

Erik that is a fair question, the lightest bump of the back end (in the middle) will throw off the position of the curved end of the fixture. a good body man can massage the recessed inner mounting panels to make the lights fit better without changing the external sheetmetal. they should fit as even as possible with similar gaps.

 

[eriknetherlands]

Ok thanks for the hints.

The lateral movement in the ovoid holes was used to the max.

Let's see if I can massage them in.
Erik.

 

[eriknetherlands]

Update: the hint from Bavbob for the lateral movement was a hit in the end. Turns out one hole was round (meaning metal has been replaced here in the past!). It is now enlarged to correct dimensions and the lamp fits better.

Thanks guys!

 

[bavbob]

Yes, redone rear with hole geometry altered. I lived this also.