[fergal286]

Hello, I'm new to the site and I'm in the process of doing a mod on my 50merc.
I'm going to FRENCH in the head and tail lights and was wondering what that term means. Where did the term "FRENCHING" come from and where did it start in the hot rod game?
Thanks for the help.
Signed \Ferg -

[poncho62]

Frenching in the headlights means to build the fender out around them, thereby sinking them back in a tunnel of sorts.......it was also done with taillights a lot

[fergal286]

Thanks, but I know what FRENCHING is and how it it done.
What I'd like to find out is where did the term "FRENCHING" come from?

[poncho62]

From Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frenching_%28automobile%29

"The name originates from the end result looking like a French cuff of a shirt sleeve, which has a ridge at the end. Also known as tunnelling, it is a common modification used on leadsleds and customs since the 1930s."

[fergal286]

Great thanks for the info.
I'm much smarter man now.
Thanks again

[AutoGear]

To me 'tunnelling' lights meant being way 'deeper' than the typical frenching buckets you could buy. As to how deep one needs to go in order to be tunnelled vs frenched...no idea. I assume its like the Supreme Court's definition of pornography...you know it when you see it