Side markers...fill'em or leave em???

[crcarch]

I'd agree that the 72-74 markers look tacked on, but I wouldn't lose 'em.  I'd install the 70-71 slit style lights.  Very clean look IMO and much safer than deleting the sidelights.

[torredcuda]

Unless you are biulding a Foose style custom I vote leave `em.As far as door handles the e-body pieces are stylish and already flush with the body so why would anyone want to get rid of them? 

[carcrazyguy]

Okay does anyone sell the 70-71 style side marker housings and lens??  Or is it just find them on  ??  

[4Cruizn]

You can get the reflectors aftermarket but the rest you will have to find.  I see sets of these go for alot!   

[hotrod98]

They're recessed so you'll need to weld up the old side marker recesses and install used donor recessed areas for the 70-71 style side markers lower down on the body to be correct.  You may be looking at spending around $500 to $600 for all of the pieces and probably 20+ hours of body work.
You have your work cut out for you my friend.

[TKat13]

Hotrod98, do you have any pictures of those side markers recessed, meaning, in-progress type of pics. I am interested in doing just that and those looked great.

I am a firm believer that the design of the cuda is great and the 72-74 sider markers were never part of the design, they were an after thought to meet Government regulations. Kind of like the first '3rd brake light' that happend in '86 on most cars.

I had been leaning towards shaving mine, but after seeing that recessed, it still says I am a '74 but look at my sexy body line not at my big orange and red body growth. 

[360 'CUDA]

Over the years I have noticed that the 1990's design GM cars have very similar sidelights to the '70-'71 'CUDAs. If you wanted the look but wanted to recess them using those would be kinda cool.  (unless you hate anything from GM)

[willhaven]

SHAVED. 

[hotrod98]

Hotrod98, do you have any pictures of those side markers recessed, meaning, in-progress type of pics. I am interested in doing just that and those looked great.

I am a firm believer that the design of the cuda is great and the 72-74 sider markers were never part of the design, they were an after thought to meet Government regulations. Kind of like the first '3rd brake light' that happend in '86 on most cars.

I had been leaning towards shaving mine, but after seeing that recessed, it still says I am a '74 but look at my sexy body line not at my big orange and red body growth. 

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pics. I just happened to have several old patch panels with the 72 up recesses in them. I cut them out and made a piece to weld all of the way around the edge to make a pocket just deep enough to make the lamps flush. Make sure you're making the pocket just large enough for the markers to fit nicely. Use an old marker as a guide. I then bolted the newly made pockets inside the fenders and quarters using the holes in the original recesses and my new recesses to hold them in line perfectly and tacked them in. Then I cut out the original recesses using a cutoff wheel. Then I carefully and slowly welded them up all of the way around and ground down the welds. I then shimmed the lamps a little until they were perfectly flush. I think it makes them look clean without looking pro-streetish, if you know what I mean. Most cuda people look at them and don't realize at first that they've been altered. When they finally realize that they're flush, they mention how clean it looks.

You could probably carefully cut out your recesses in your car and use them to make the pockets, it just may be a little more difficult lining them back up.

[Cranker]

I hate the 72 and after. I am shaving mine on my 72 challenger. I am however leaving the door handles. I think the marker lights take away from the nice lines on the body.

Crank

[hotrod98]

Now all you need are the gills and your car will be complete.

[carcrazyguy]

I think I am going to try to gather the parts needed to install the 70-71 style lights.  Heck with what paint and bodywork is going to be, why not spend a little more for a "cleaner look".   But then again that would lead to wanting a 70 grill (and all thats needed for that) and then a 70 tail light panel.      

[CUDA JAS]

I vote for shaved - clean look.

I will be shaving the marker lights for sure on mine.  Might do the door handles, might not.

 

[cudasteve72]

I say shave them or recesse them.  there is something about them hanging an inch off the body that just dosent do it for me.

[willhaven]

I vote for shaved - clean look.

I will be shaving the marker lights for sure on mine.  Might do the door handles, might not.

 

Do it! I think the muscle car community needs more custom work and less clone work. Clones and restorations have their place, but you don't hardly see as many customs with these cars as you do with pre-60's rides. It's a shame really. I like seeing what people can come up with.