I had posted a few weeks ago about rear courtesy lights on a 70 Chevelle convertible. I ended up finding some original bezels but the wiring has been a bit more difficult to locate. Found one used Skylark loom but they seem to think it is made of gold. So I called M & H Electrical Fabricators (they had just made up $700 worth of new harnesses for me so I figured whats a few more bucks!). According to M & H, the Chevelles never came with these lights, only GTOs and Skylarks. I argued my case and even pointed out several reporoduction companies (inlcuding this sites sponsor) sell the bezels. Who is right? Does anyone have an "original" car with these lights? Regardless, I'm going to have M & H make up the harness for me. It's just the principal of the matter that's bugging me...

Well although my memory seems to fade more each year, I dont remember ever having a 68-72 chevelle convertible with the lights, and I have had quite a few. I have had plenty of cutlass and skylark convertibles, and they did have the lights. I just sold a couple sets of the side panels at the last swap meet I was at. As for the harness, all I remember it being were push in light sockets and some wire that tied into the dome light circuit. Very easily made.

I have had several convertible chevelles and none of them had the lights. I have also had a buick skylark convertible and it did. To my knowledge I don't think 70 had them. But i have been wrong before!

Dana -

The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle "restoration kit" seems to indicate that there was a change initiated to the original offering of RPO ZJ9 which was the Auxiliary Lighting package. The GM restoration kit shows that you could not get the Courtesy Lights portion of this package for the convertible but that it was available for some other models.

Considering that many of us have never seen the rear Courtesy Lights on any Chevelle I'm wondering if the change noted in the material might have meant that GM decided to delete the rear Courtesy Lights from the Auxiliary Light package for all Chevelles.

If someone out there has a buildsheet with RPO ZJ9 listed and has rear courtesy lights in their Chevelle please step forward.

Both of my 71 Chevelle convertibles have the lights. I didn't add them. But, alas I have no build sheets. Both cars were built in Baltimore.

My 72 has ZJ9 on the build sheet but no rear seat courtesy lights. Kansas built...

It was my understanding most Chevelles did not have this as an option, it was mostly offered in the Pontiacs and Buicks. I found some rear panels out of a Pontiac to add to my 68. The wiring is very simple, tying into the front courtesy light harness. I can't remember if the rear console light worked off the dimmer, but it could be a connection point as well.

my all original 70 has the lights under the dash but no rear lights, so i am thinking that on the chevelles, the courticy light package only consisted of the additional lights under the dash. just a guess.

It has recently come to my attention, all other A body converts had this standard, and chevelles never came with them. there is no RPO listed anywhere, and even the factory arm rests which do have sort of a provision for these lamps are located in the wrong place. I am in agreement that these do look nice, and even have a very nice set of original bezels, which will no longer be being installed in my car (maybe for sale; the bezels that is). but if you insist on installing, you can get a partial harness from any A body specifically for the lamp housings splice at the rear seat and run to the front of the car and wire to interior lighting. i mean after all its only an orange and white wire. your middle body harness does not have provisions for these lamps. just my .02 worth. jason