We recently picked up a number of hard-to-find tail lights from the 1930s, including the ’36 Dodge light mentioned in the last post. This beautiful light and license plate bracket is another example:
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240303_104508.jpg?resize=525%2C814&ssl=1)
This 1937 Buick light has Art Deco-flair that repeats the look and lines of the grille:
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1937-Buick-brochure-grille.jpg?resize=504%2C638&ssl=1)
Buick, like most makes of that year, had a license plate light and bracket that mounted on the center of the trunk of at least some of the models.
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1937_Buick_8-40_200073661802.jpg?resize=525%2C350&ssl=1)
Car companies spotlighted this new arrangement as a selling point with an emphasis on symmetry, beauty, and safety.
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The_Seattle_Star_Mon__Nov_16__1936_2.jpg?resize=525%2C714&ssl=1)
My light/bracket combo was likely on a coupe originally, as the rear of the ’37 Buick coupe sloped steeply and prohibited the mounting of the light and bracket there.
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1937-Buick-brochure-coupe.jpg?resize=525%2C247&ssl=1)
I also found the tail light/bracket combo on something called a “Sloper” made for the Australian market. It was made by General Motors-Holden, an Australian subsidiary of GM, that manufactured and sold automobiles under its own marque.
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1937_Buick_8_Century__sloper__coupe_9597539578.jpg?resize=525%2C385&ssl=1)
GM-Holden called the body style an “All-Enclosed Coupe,” and the back seat folded down for additional luggage space. For 1937, the Sloper was also part of the line-up for GM-Holden’s Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Chevrolet.
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1937_Chevrolet__Sloper__coupe_hot_rod_54093522153.jpg?resize=525%2C387&ssl=1)
After reviewing conversations and comments on the internet, it is apparent that many folks prefer the looks of the Holden version with its fastback styling and forward sloping B pillars, but I think the American-made coupe is tough to beat. Either way, this gorgeous light is the perfect finishing touch:
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240303_104500.jpg?resize=525%2C406&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240303_104531-2.jpg?resize=525%2C394&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240303_104518-2.jpg?resize=525%2C783&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240303_104521-2.jpg?resize=525%2C705&ssl=1)