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I have noticed on ebay several sets of rear lenses and bezels for sale that are apparently original parts....the condition of the bezels tend to be some pitting and in need of rechroming. This suggests to me that car owners are replacing these with after market parts rather than go thru the expense of chroming. I have a set on my car with some pitting and am studying redoing my parts at whatever expense as opposed to buying after market parts. I would appreciate some opinions on these options. Are the judges able to tell the difference between real parts with fresh chrome vs good after market parts?
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Re: 1967 rear lights
Richard - I replaced mine with Trim Parts several years back and still have the originals. The foam gaskets are different, but the quality of the lights themselves were superb and even had the GM numbers from the molds on the back. Fixing the pits and replating would probably cost a lot more than replacing.....in spite of "originality"......Craig -
Re: 1967 rear lights
Richard,
-------Chroming your original tail-light housings will be an exercise in futility. Repairing the pot-metal pits and rechroming those deep, cavernous housings will either end up with you being a bunch lighter in the wallet or very unhappy with the quality of the chrome work, or both. I can almost guarantee this eventual outcome. Either buy NOS or Trim-Parts. I am aware this sounds negative but believe me Im right. Hope this helps.........Bill SComment
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Re: 1967 rear lights
Richard,
The tail lights and many other parts from Trim Parts are from the ORIGINAL molds. Originally Wolverine Casting made the parts for GM and Trim Parts but they are out of business. The ORIGINAL molds have been transfered to another pot metal casting company and the supply lines are filling once again.
To get your original lamps to look like the Trim Parts lamps would take several hundred dollars and still the parts would be questionable.
Buy the Trim Parts lamps and trade out the gaskets.
JRComment
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Re: 1967 rear lights
Nobody has weighed in in favor of chroming the original parts. Does this philosophy extend to the front grill and the shift console? I am in appreciation of the responses provided. thanks. richardComment
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Re: 1967 rear lights
Richard,
----------The grill would fall into the same catagory in my experience.
----------I have not yet seen the current console reproductions, so cant answer your question in that regard, but, basicly, ask any plater about high quality chrome finishes on pot-metal parts and if they are honest you will get the same answer; Not impossible but difficult and difficult translates into time and expense, often big expense. Consoles (especially 4-spd consoles) are very difficult to find NOS, therefore worth looking at the repros at the very least. Some of the above would also depend on exactly how bad your original console is and your restoration expectations. Hope this helps.........Bill SComment
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