teardrop tail lights versus beehive

teardrop tail lights versus beehive, what's more desirable I know they belong to different years, but what else you guys think or have to add to this?

Whichever you like more. Hey you might even put some funky cadillac bullets on there if you have the guts...I guess that was just a dream, never mind.

No doubt in my mind, the beehive are very cool. I will convert mine to beehive this summer, though the parts will be around $250.

Steve,

Here's my opinion, for a classic body only (for what little it's worth). Whatever sets your car apart from the typical replica seems to make it a bit more desirable on the resale market, as long as it was original to some model year 356. If you go with beehive tail lights it marks the car as a pre-57, and it is cool if other details match that year. Not a lot of replicas have them.

Of course, if you don't care about driving up your resale, and you only want to build a car that's cool to you, then get whatever you want. It IS a replica, so you're not butchering a classic.

I like the taillights from a '57 Plymouth, but then, you need the fins also.

Seriously, the beehive tailights have a sort of 'mystique' to them, and do set a car apart from a later Speedster. I like their looks, and if I were getting a new car built, would choose the beehives, and tailor the car accordingly.

This is a topic I did have to wrestle with recently. I was leaning towards beehives since they are more unique but finally decided on teardrops since I believe they are more visible. I am also choosing the split lens with red/amber, what I think is referred to as the euro style.
John H.

I've always thought that if I get wacked in the rear and survive I'd switch to beehives. If I bought a new replica I'd definatley get them. I'm sort of looking for a coupe or a Beck coupe replica but probably won't be doing anything for a couple of years.
ed

I feel a song comin' on;

"There's teardrops on my Speedster
And teardrops in my beer,
There's a beehive in your hairdo
Where you hid my keys, I fear

No drivin' till I'm sober
But you're prettier now my dear,
Teardrops on my Speedster
And teardrops in my beer!"

Greg: I sense a hit!!!

Thanks Bruce, would you like to be my fan club? I'm waiting for my record deal to happen, afterall I am in Nashville, I think its supposed to work that way - everybody gets a record deal at some point.

Hey John Hallstrand, how did they do that attached windshield on your cabriolet, is it fabricated with fiberglass reinforced with metal rod frame inside or what?

I heard here that Teardrops came halfway through 57.

As far as Quality the beehives win Stoodard offer some nice ones of brass construction that are as well made as you could ask for.

All the teardrop ,I have seen dont even come close to keeping the bulbs in the sockets. Thats a real problem!!

Beehives up to 1956.

Teardrops from 1957, to end of production

I wish the beehive suppliers to Stoodards would make a teardrop kit with the same sockets then the would be up to snuff.

I wanted Teardrops bad enough to change out the sockets with salvage parts to improve them.

Opps that is right. 1957 was when it changed. That, and the door handles.

Greg,

Is your tone poem going to be backed by the dueling banjos? Only right I think.

As far as tail lights go, I have the red/amber and always run with the lights on. The amber part is illuminated that way, a little more piece of mind when pulling up to stop lights.

Bruce

As for the tail lights, I've always thought the teardrop shape is more sleek and low profile like the shape of the body of the car, where as the beehive lights sort of stick out from the body in a strange way, and don't blend well. Kinda like an after thouhgt. JMHO Eddie

Robert would probably like this Cadilac conversion done on a Miata. I wonder how it affects the car's balance?

Greg, something like that; it's pretty darn rigid. Eddie, That's kind of where I am with teardrops. I remember way back when I first started studying these cars that the teardrop lights had a more appealing look for me, subjectively speaking. The beehive look grabbed my attention mostly because they looked unique. Greg, do you need any side men? I can back you up on my dulcimer if you will sing in the key of D.

Has to be twangy Fender Telecasters, fellers, its the law around here. Lordy, the site of that Miatallac just sobered me up!

What do you mean, I would like that Miata?

That IS my Miata! Very tasteful, don't you think? It's a real chick magnet. I put on my Elvis suit, and away I go....

Install these retro style lights on your Speedster.

Joe,

That looks like a big red, puss filled boil! Even the bulge it sits on. It does look like a 356 tail light though!

Bruce

Then you probably had something to do with this creation too Robert. By the way, the rest of you can get some ideas for your own rides at Beaterz.com.

Hey, I need a family car go with my Miata, you know. Something to take the wife out in once in a while, with more class than my Miadillac.

That comment about "take the wife out" begs for an observation relative to the photo but I won't go there ;-)

Yeah, better not.....

Yeah I agree with ya Bruce. That light assembly is for a PT Cruiser. I have also seen the 59 Caddy style in this configuration. I do like the shape of the stock PT tail lights. I going to borrow one of the neighbors Pt taillight lenses to see what it looks like. The light contiur just may work. I'll post a picture for commens and roasting.
Joe

That Miati-lac owner is from Pa and has built two of these things ....the "why" of that I can't really say....

The beehives remind me of Lucas left-overs, and yet there are some beehive applications that say, "Look at me, ain't I cool" unfortuneately I don't think the ass end of speedster is one of those places. I like 'em on the coupes though...
The teardrop seems to have been designed to fit the flow of the body line after Ferry and the boys could afford a little design work maybe with increased sales dollars!

I read where the transition from beehive to teardrop did take place mid '57.

Contrary to the above thought, I saw some of Gary Emory's flock at the Thunderhill event that had 911 or 912s with small flat button brakelights in the rear lamp recess instead of the stock wrap-around units and they lookd pretty clean.
From deep inside the Benicia 'who cares department'
MM

Belinda! Incredible, Mmmm, that's giving me an idea for a very unique airbag...

Greg: You're not supposed to enjoy an accident....

Oh George, ever on the defensive, of course the beehives were more expensive, of course they remain more expensive, it is the primary criteria for the GB-mobile.
Shit

Ok, my tailights are made from a '67 Sunbeam Tiger. I told John Steele I wanted recessed tailights, and the only style that seemed to look about right were Sunbeam Tigers. John calmly said, "no problem" and walked across the shop to retreive a pair of those exact lights. I about fell off the chair, but today those are my lights. At least on the inside, the red lens is custom made to fit the fiberglass cut out.
Fun to be different. I don't need authenticity. Half the people I talk to think this is a "Car Mine Gee Yaa" anyway.

In George's defense he is of course referring to the factory making the switch to save money and not implying that beehives are better than teardrops. Its just a historical fact as he recalls it...

And George I haven't mentioned it but the car you spec'd out is very, very nice. You should be proud to own and drive it and Henry should be proud of creating it.

Brian

Hey Bob, just read an article on the new turbo Miata....looks VERY nice and fast too.
Ron

The switch from beehives to tear drop rear lights was to save money - buying and mounting one unit is less expensive than buying and mounting two. Actually, when that change occurred most Porsche owners and prsopective owners didn't like the new teardrop tail lights.

Thanks, Brian; it was easy to formulate the idea and of course an expensive project (you can't take it with you...) but the results are definitely the creation of Henry at IM.

Many features of my car were first time items/requests and Henry went above and beyond the call of duty engineering, testing, and perfecting their integration into the final result. Other items (Bivens alloy wheels, PreLuber, restored vintage Becker Grand Prix radio, 1950's Bosch fog lights, etc.) were simply a matter of patient research and reaching for the checkbook. Carquip (in Colorado) helped spec and then built the close ratio 901 5-speed with torque biased LSD.

Pat Downs at CB Performance was very patient and enthusiastic with my engine build, and the result is up to his usual high standards. CB also turned me on to their new wide-five four wheel disk brake setup which was then in the testing stages and became available for use on my car.

Some of the people on this forum snipe at me for spending the money (and it ain't over yet - 2,500cc four cylinder Porsche 911 engine in the works), but at least I'm getting what I want in a true, all-purpose sports car with vintage eye appeal.

Ron O, very nice aftermarket Miata supercharger kits have been available for Miatas for several years.

George:

You're right. But I think Ron is referring to the new factory Turbo Miata. Puts out around 180 h.p., I think.

Got your car yet?

Bob

Robert, my car is somewhere between Vancouver and Maryland in a covered semi trailer; ETA is approx. March 26/27.