tail light differences...?

[ZSaint]

I am cleaning up my '71 Z tail light assy's and noticed that the driver lenses are much darker then the passenger lenses. Is this due to age or have they changed their lenses with newer light assy? I think the passenger T/L lense has been changed. I like the newer lenses. Can I get lighter lenses or do you have to buy the complete assy?

[MikeW]

I'm not aware of any changes in taillights for the 240Z between years other than the difference of the so-called "Euro" style amber lenses which should probably be referred to as "non North America" lenses. Typically the left side lens will be in worse shape than the right because of its proximity to the exhaust. That may well explain why yours is darker.

[Bambikiller240]

Could it be due to the exhaust (tail) pipe being on that side of the car?

I know it (the exhaust) can make a mess of the chassis paint, chrome (bumper), and tail light finisher panel on the left side of the car over time.

[Dans240z]

The lenses could be darker as a result of the exhaust pipe being directly below it. I know on my car, the drivers side one is not darker, but the chromed plastic is falling off, and the overrider is rusty there too. My guess is the exhaust.

[Dans240z]

carl, you beat me!

[chickenwafer]

carl is a fast sucker, ain't he?

[Inf]

Yeah, like Carl said : it is from the exhaust. Mine are the same way.

[Bambikiller240]

Well, actually MikeW beat me by < 1 minute

[ZSaint]

I just realized that exhaust damage syndrome. I restored a '68 Dart with one left taillight bezel needing to be re-chromed. I did a '73 Duster last year and it had the same malady. Exhaust is very toxic to autos. I never realized the plastic would also be darkened or damaged. Thanks for the info. Some times you have to take time to smell the roses and it will all make sense. As Johnny would say, "I did not know that!" :surprised

[somecreep]

I could be wrong about this, but I think early 240z taillamp lenses actually were a darker red plastic. I realized this from digging through parts bins, both RH and LH lenses. And Im pretty sure it wasn't just exhaust carbon...

One of your taillamps might have been replaced at some point.

[somecreep]

Anybody know of these taillights are OEM? They are solid red on the bottom half.

[somecreep]

oops, here it is...