37-38 Tailights?

[R Walling]

My 38 Buick Coupe has a set of 37 tailights on it. Is it possible that they were put on by the factory when new?

I ck'd the serial #s and it is a 38.

Thanks, Roger

[JoelsBuicks]

Roger, that's a lot of tail lights for one car!

just kidding.....Do you know the history of the car? This just doesn't sound like something that would happen at the factory - more like someone took a few liberties on an earlier resto.

[egor]

I've heard of '37 front fenders mounted on '38 cars. Maybe a previous owner needed to replace the rears and got the real deal on a pair of '37's.

[Guest DaveCorbin]

Dear Roger:

It's possible that the factory would use up the last parts on a VERY early 1938, especially if it was built at Southgate or Linden at the very start of production. If you post the frame number, I can tell you when the car was built. Otherwise, I'd second the suggestion that a restorer or early body shop got a deal.

Regards, Dave Corbin

[R Walling]

I think that you are right about the earlier restoration as one of the lights has a plate light lens on the top that had been bondo’ed over and repainted.

Thanks,

Roger

[R Walling]

I think that you are right about the earlier restoration as one of the lights has a plate light lens on the top that had been bondo’ed over and repainted.

Thanks,

Roger

[clive3738]

Strange things were done by G.M. in the antipodes. I had a 38 series 40 sedan in my shed for some years that had been factory assembled in Trentham New Zealand with a 37 engine with the flat top pistons. The body and engine numbers on the car were identical to those on the original bill of sale. Everything would have been sourced CKD via Oshawa Ontario.

Cheers,

Clive