1956 Lowlight tail light positioning help needed

[Braukuche]

I am nearly done with body work but want to fit up a few items before I stick a fork in it.
I am having a hard time figuring out the tail lights.
In the pictures below I obviously have a left right set but not sure which is which.
No matter how I position I get this big gap between the housing and the body, so I am not sure if I need to work the metal to fit the housing better or if there is supposed to be this huge gap?
Also, how do they attach? The housing has screws in it do they attach from the inside or what?
I didn't take the car apart so I have no clue.
Thanks.

_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1956 Ghia
1959 SO-23 Westfalia
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now

[Exaktaphile]

The part you're holding goes on the inside. Here's a thread with good description -

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=499871&highlight=taillight

[aerosilver]

You need the foam insert, bulb holder sits on that (inside), screwed to the body through the top left/bottom right holes.
No rubber seal for 56/57 (I thought)

[Braukuche]

[aerosilver]

There's no reason you can't fit a rubber seal, sure many got retro fitted when the foam insert started to disintegrate.
The foam inserts are hard to find, when they pop up for sale they usually sell instantly!

Picture from a Jan. 57 parts manual, no rubber seal.

[Braukuche]

I have the remnants of one and will use it to make two new ones from Lowes insulating foam rubber and some glue.[/vimeo]
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1956 Ghia
1959 SO-23 Westfalia
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now

[fedwards58KGLL]

[Braukuche]

1958 uses the later style which I think is the same more or less up to 74? If so they should be easy to find in the classifieds.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1956 Ghia
1959 SO-23 Westfalia
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now

[fedwards58KGLL]

thanks Braukuche, but I've learned on this forum that "transitioning" year models are special...my 58 was built in oct 57 and comes with a 57 license plate housing ...as per the rectangle lenses....

as said too many times in this forum...this cars are special....jajaja
for instance...this is my dome light "housing"...still not sure if it is for the rectangle or oval light

and these are my taillights ....festoon bulbs and need to find a way to restore them....but afraid to lose the rubber seal....if still can be called like that...

[Braukuche]

They were still doing gradual changes that late. Ugh.
That looks like the mount for the later style interior light. The early boxy one has a different mount from what I recall. Yours looks a bit mangled.
Do you have the newer style twilights or the early style? Does yours mount to the body or a bracket?
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1956 Ghia
1959 SO-23 Westfalia
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now

[fedwards58KGLL]