Tail lights styles for Kadett B

[t425i]

I have seen that it is several types of tail lights for the Kadett B in the US.

Here in Europe we only have to different styles. Pre 1968 (small) and post 1968 (bigger).

Can anyone explain to me the connection between model, year and the style of the tail lights for the US Kadett B..?

Best regards
Lars I.

[oldopelguy]

That's all we have here too, except that there were two different pre-68's on the wagons. The US ones are different from the European ones in that the US models had all red tail lights and in Europe they had amber turn signals, but to the best of my knowledge we only had the two types as well. At least that's been my experience, with 15 or so US Kadetts. Some here are converted to the Amber Euro spec lights, but that would still only give a total of 4 options.

Keep in mind, though, that what we got in the US as a Kadett was part European Kadett and part European Olympia. Some of what you might see here reflects those differences in chrome trim and the like. I'm not sure but that there wasn't a couple different chrome trims on the early ones, I've only had a couple of those. Do you have pictures of the differences you were refering to?

[t425i]

Thank you for your response!

Here are the two euro-versions + a bigger US-version:

Eurofoto

The red Kadett is a pre 68 in Europe, the yellow is a post 68, and the green one is the US-style that we dont have over here...

I see you have the post 68 in an all red edition, but I have not seen the Euro pre 68 in pictures from US. Does this one exist in US as well?

The Kadett B and the Olympia A share the same tail light in europe. The difference is in the front (Grill, placement og turn signal etc.)

Best regards
Lars I.

[heimue]

Here's a pic from my rustbucket parts car. It's a '69 with the 'large' tail lights.

Dieter

Edit:

Well, now it gets interesting. I compared my own picture with the one that Lars posted in the "parts wanted" area. Both pics show later model (post '68) Kadetts, but the Kadett from Norway has wider tail lights on it. You can clearly see the difference when you compare where the lenses end in relation to the bumpers. I added the pic of the green Kadett for quick reference.

Dieter

[oldopelguy]

Dieter, you have posted pictures of both of the types that were imported into the US. The first one you posted is the earlier "small" one, and the green Kadett has the later style "large" ones. The later, larger ones actually wrap around the side, and the bulbs are accessable through a little panel in the center of the lights with hinged sockets. The earlier style does not wrap around the side as much and you have to take the whole lens off to replace the bulbs.

You can install the earlier ones into a newer car, I sold my Sport Sedan to Kevin with one side like that because I couldn't find a replacement lens anywhere. On the car body the only differance is a couple holes drilled into the side of the newer cars to support the outer edge of the lenses.

My '67 Coupe, the "early" style:

[t425i]

This is the Pre-68 tail lights in Europe. The US Pre-68 is like our Post-68... Everything is bigger in the US..

Lars I.

[t425i]

Originally Posted by heimue Here's a pic from my rustbucket parts car. It's a '69 with the 'large' tail lights. Dieter Edit: Well, now it gets interesting. I compared my own picture with the one that Lars posted in the "parts wanted" area. Both pics show later model (post '68) Kadetts, but the Kadett from Norway has wider tail lights on it. You can clearly see the difference when you compare where the lenses end in relation to the bumpers. I added the pic of the green Kadett for quick reference. Dieter

PS: The green Kadett is not from Norway, but have the tail lights I am looking for. I have just borrowed the picture from a gallery here in opelgt.com.
Lars I.

[heimue]

Originally Posted by oldopelguy Dieter, you have posted pictures of both of the types that were imported into the US. The first one you posted is the earlier "small" one, and the green Kadett has the later style "large" ones.

Now, when was the cut-off date between the earlier and later one's in the US?

Dieter

[manyopels]

Not sure of the cut-off date here in the U.S., but I know of another important difference between U.S. and Europe...

Some years ago I purchased a set of Kadett taillights from German eBay. Imagine my surprise - and horror! - to find one of the lenses shattered into teenie - tiny splinters of glass!!! Through no fault of the seller, someone in transit placed a heavier package on top.

U.S. taillights are plastic.

I imagine the U.S. DOT made it a federal reg in case of accident, etc.

[heimue]

Originally Posted by manyopels U.S. taillights are plastic.

German tail lights are plastic, too.

Dieter

[manyopels]

Dieter, that is curious. If I can find either of the pair over the weekend I will get a pic and post, or PM you. I was surprised by the shards of glass, so let me get back to you on that...