Tail light lens

You see some cars with all red rear lens and some with yellow/red. I think there was a US regulation that they had to be red and the cars could be ordered with Euro lens but I am uncertain of this history and what might have changed year by year. See for example the three S cars in the photo - a 68, a 71 and a 72. The 71 and 72 were picked up in Germany before coming to the US. Not sure about the 68.

So - what illumination (pun intended) can the knowledgeable experts shine (ugh) on this issue.


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I'm far from an expert, but I think you are correct with your assumption ROW cars had a requirement for a amber indicator light, and a separate brake light in red.

The rear housings are the same from my understanding, and the difference is just in the lense.

The fronts are a whole different matter. ROW cars have an extra globe holder and a partition in the housing close to the grill side of the housing to give the "parking" light. ( small white section).