So it's not just me. When I first got my '51 last year I saw the upside down tail light and it drove me crazy. I thought the PO was an idiot but, after after spending countless hours researching it I could not come up with any other explanation that what has been stated above.
Does anyone know if the original taillight had a bottom clear lense for the licence plate? That's the only thing stopping me from putting right side up - other than that and re-working the bracket.
Very frustrating.
I am now doing battle with replacement outside door handles which is a whole other story.
P