Chevy HHR tail lights on Coupe

[John Dol]

These are the size of Chevy HHR tail lights. Regardless of the hassle of installation what do you guys think about the size?

http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae46/jdcoupe1969/2013-09-25_18-04-46_994_zpsd11c19c7.jpg (http://s956.photobucket.com/user/jdcoupe1969/media/2013-09-25_18-04-46_994_zpsd11c19c7.jpg.html)

http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae46/jdcoupe1969/2013-09-25_18-04-57_279_zpsfdbf0ff4.jpg (http://s956.photobucket.com/user/jdcoupe1969/media/2013-09-25_18-04-57_279_zpsfdbf0ff4.jpg.html)

Thanks,

John

[68GT500MAN]

From a personal standpoint they are too large. From a safety standpoint - bigger is better. If you like them then go for it.
Doug

[jkrueger]

what doug said. ^^^^

[frankeeski]

John, my wife Julie has an HHR. After looking at it and the Roadster, I had the same thought as you. However, after mocking up the lights on the back of the Cobra I got a better understanding of just how BIG the HHR lights are. They just look a bit out of place. Just like the 2 before me, If you like it, go for it.

Take a look at these. Plenty bright and they may be closer to the size.
http://www.honestcharley.com/hot-rod-parts/taillight-pontiac-ea-l-e-d.html

[loeffler1]

John

I too think they are out of proportion. Why don't you take a peek at Watson's Street Works catalog? That slim third brake light like mine does not look out of proportion, almost hidden, except when it lights up, especially being much lower than a regular third brake light. And it has the turn signals incorporated. I like Frank's idea with the hot rod lights. With a name like Honest Charley how can you go wrong? LOL. LED lights sure are much brighter than regular bulbs. I replaced the stock bulbs in the FFR rear lights with much brighter bulbs also available at Watson's. Even in daylight they seem much brighter.

[tirod]

I somehow think that the sight of a Daytona on the street will attract attention anyway. One point of using the HHR's is that they correct the downward tilt of a surface applied light, throwing more of the normal incandescent bulb's output back up into traffic. Being larger won't hurt, either.

As I suggested in the other thread, spacing them further apart in relationship to the crescent might help the looks, along with having them on the slant Daytonas also used. Having more room between them should balance the mass of light, crescent, and cove area. Try having them about 5/8th's of the diameter apart and see what it does.

Mounted, in daylight, I suspect they will look more natural than large white dots. That might be throwing off the perception. Thanks for posting pics tho, it does give some scale to the reality. Things don't always look the same in our head.

[JAE]

Hi John

I tend to agree with some of the things tirod said, the contrast between the black gel coat on the body and the white templates might be making them look bigger than they really are. Of course a lot may depend on what color you plan on painting the car, if you are thinking of something in the red color family, they would blend in more than say black or white which would make them stand out more.

[John Dol]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b247/blueskysmiling/HHR_001_zps973f836f.jpg

This is a rendering with color that Cobrakai did after seeing my whole punch disks on steroids.
Looks different already.

John

[John Dol]

http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae46/jdcoupe1969/CoupeHHRlights1_zps46166342.jpg (http://s956.photobucket.com/user/jdcoupe1969/media/CoupeHHRlights1_zps46166342.jpg.html)

http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae46/jdcoupe1969/CoupeHHRlights2_zpse6b42deb.jpg (http://s956.photobucket.com/user/jdcoupe1969/media/CoupeHHRlights2_zpse6b42deb.jpg.html)

So this is more spread out per some of youzes suggestions, hanging under the angle so they face out straight, and in color.

John

[QSL]

I personally don't like the size. But I don't think they are so big that people will hate them... But who cares if that's what you want. Its your dream car!

[xlr8or]

Personal opinion is they are too big for two on each side. Look at tail lights for a 37 Chevy. Bigger than standard coupe, smaller than the HHR.

[Vman7]

John, what is your reasoning for the HHR tail lights? Is it to be more visible when braking? or you like the LED look? or just would like to be different?

If you are somewhat set on the HHR, I would say go with just 2 instead of 4, and center them vertically to the rear vents, and maybe go with 2 2.5" mini backup lights down low.

Depending on what you are looking for, I can post some links for tail light options.

David

[John Dol]

Not stuck on these (my son has already decided we are using the stock set up LOL). I do like the fact that they are angled and therefor will face traffic straight on rather then pointing down. Others have mentioned the poor visability of the stock lights in the day time and in the dark, so safety is also a factor. Two or three years ago we had an HHR for a rental car, and I saw the lights which is where the idea was born. Just playing around for now to see what people think. I found the size of the lights on a chevy forum but I'm not sure if the 5" is the true size. They look kind of big compared to when I visually see them on the HHR.
Pondering the suggestion of a third brake/turn signal LED strip in the rear wing to off set the stock lights.
Still thinking.

John

[John Dol]

double post sorry

[STLMARSHALL]

I have to agree with other that the large taillights are just too much. I have been through this process and did not like the larger housing. I looked at the 50 Pontiac 4" Leds but they were also just too big. I finally found a very bright light that does not over power that looks of the rear of the car.

Here they are:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-1937-1942-Willys-22-LED-Brake-Stop-Turn-Tail-Lights-1938-1939-1940-1941-/400332999568?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_100&hash=item5d35b4cb90&vxp=mtr

The angled gasket corrects much of the downward angle of the car and the flat spots on the lens shines a majority of the light into the eyes of drivers behind you. These lights are very bright! I went with only 2 lights as they were bright enough to not need 4 and I thought 4 started to overpower the rear of the car as you see in John's pics of his mockup. My Willys lights are are about 1/2 the size of the HHR's (around 3 3/4" OD).

Here are pics:
http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr2/mmarshall01/20130616_141319_zps848ac448.jpg (http://s464.photobucket.com/user/mmarshall01/media/20130616_141319_zps848ac448.jpg.html)

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr2/mmarshall01/20130823_173316_zps076ceb9e.jpg (http://s464.photobucket.com/user/mmarshall01/media/20130823_173316_zps076ceb9e.jpg.html)

And some video of them in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdBQu9M938M&feature=c4-overview&list=UUd16s9zwPBUCB8EpK7OAzJA

[Vman7]

Those willys' tail lights look really good, that's not a bad way to go.

John, here is Watson's Beehive LED conversion, they are 2.75" DIA
http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=83_247_248&product_id=109