1959 356A S/R coupe project chassis # 108625

[JTR70]

This is a full on 356BT5 tail skin factory installed on this late 356AT2.

Took a hard detailed look as to why this factory T2 rear bumper was so oversized in its fitment against this particular tail. Again, the example 356AT1 does swing wider at its corners but not to this degree.
The embossment for the coming T5 reverse light is the obvious "transitional" detail but there is more to it as this rear bumper issue began to highlight.
Again, after taking a really hard look at it I finally noticed the detent markings for the eventual T5 reflector bases above the tail light; both sides.
Then there are these later drain holes in the corners. Definitely an evolutionary thing.
Confirmation against this loose T1 tail section with the typical teardrop update from way back in the day. The tail is relaxed of course but it still fills up and sits well into the profile shape of this bumper. So the problem isn't with this rear bumper.
By contrast this tails' profile tapers and narrows much quicker; its different. You could easily assume this was just an A rear tail with a simple embossment add on change to the middle but coming to find out that the entire tail section is subtly different. The bumper is 356A and this entire tail is 356B. It was beginning to make sense as to why the fit was so off. More on this next...

Thanks for looking.

Justin