56-61 tail lites

[70's Looker]

hey folks, in the "snowflake" style tail lites, inside on the other side of the glass they have a dark plastic peice in there, curious do they do much? would the tail lite be brighter without em, vw had to of done their homework im sure but i just dont see how a lite can be brighter with a tinted up plastic bit in em, whats your ideas on this??

[Bruce]

I think they were installed originally to help diffuse the light from the bulb.  Also, I think they weren't as dark when new, and that the plastic got darker with age.  Most guys leave them out so there's more light.

[beetlemandan]

it was probably put there to keep the drivers behind you from getting blinded by the sheer intensity of those sun-like 6-volt brake lights