Reproduction 66 cuda / valiant lenses

-

DECIPHER

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Messages
244
Reaction score
30
Location
Denver
Who if anyone would be interested in rear lamps/lenses. I myself had been searching for the lowers and some middles for my cuda and have found them especially hard to find. I finally paid a arm and a leg for a rear lower left nos and found a almost new lower rear i plan to poss make some replacements. Would anyone be interested?
 
21z9s8.jpg
the middle and especially the bottom ones are what im working on
 
I think if they were modestly priced ( like the Mexican uppers on eBay for about $50 for a pair including shipping) they would be popular, I think you'd have a steady stream of customers.

What I would like to do is have an amber middle lens for a turn signal, basically the '66 Valiant lens but made with an amber tint. They would be easier to make compared to the Barracuda center lens. The lower lens would need to be clear for the reverse lights ( like the '66 Valiant).
 
I think if they were modestly priced ( like the Mexican uppers on eBay for about $50 for a pair including shipping) they would be popular, I think you'd have a steady stream of customers.

What I would like to do is have an amber middle lens for a turn signal, basically the '66 Valiant lens but made with an amber tint. They would be easier to make compared to the Barracuda center lens. The lower lens would need to be clear for the reverse lights ( like the '66 Valiant).
I GOT MINES FROM EBAY TOO

I TOOK A LITTLE LONGER ..BUT CAME IN CHERRY
 
Ya my vehicle has the upper two already replaced by the previous owner. but being i have a 66 it looks like they only repop the uppers as i believe they would fit 64-65 also but others change and have not seen them anywhere. so i have a brand new nos left lower and really good valiant clear lower right. I also have a ok set of middles from a cuda and a right from a valiant that i should be able to mold.
 
The '66 lenses (all of them) are '66-only. The uppers are available as nice quality, inexpensive repro items out of Mexico. AFAIK the middles and lowers aren't being reproduced, but I could be wrong about that; need to check one particular cattledog when I get back to homebase tomorrow.

It takes effort, skill, materials, practice, excellent originals, and a lot of time to make repro lenses good enough for people to want to buy. One technique is described step-by-step here. Figure out your costs for materials, supplies, tools, equipment, and the value of your time and you will quickly understand why most good repro lenses cost a lot of money.

As far as the amber idea raised by SSVDP: Good idea if it's done right; see here (that's my old '71 Dart in the top pic, also I wrote the article) and here (hookup info on how to have dual-function turn/backup lights).
 
Ya im sure i may have some learning but am not really worried i wont be able to do them well, but who knows maybe it will be a grand disaster. I have a small vac chamber and can heat it, so i think if i can make the molds well i should be able to hopefully be successful.
 
I have a 64 Valiant and would be interested in the whole shebang for both sides.
 
The uppers i see on ebay also like the 66 versions a pair from mexico for about 60$
 
I got my uppers on Ebay from Mexico. I would be interested in the lower ones. Looks like someone put the wrong bulb in my passenger side has a nice bubble in it.
 
ya same here my left is all melted and hosed. I will start with my hand at the mould and maybe even pouring resin this weekend depending on how quick it goes.
 
I would be interested. I am about to purchase the ebay mexican uppers

Question from those who have purchased the ebay mexican uppers - are you happy are they worth purchasing?
 
I would be interested. I am about to purchase the ebay mexican uppers

Question from those who have purchased the ebay mexican uppers - are you happy are they worth purchasing?
Be careful when tightening the screws as the holes may be a bit top tight and need a little drilling. I know the coloring isn't the deep red like OEM lenses. Has a little bit of orange tinge' to it, not much though. For 50 bucks its a god deal if you have a show car. Just my .02
 
The '64-'65-'66 Valiant & Barracuda taillamp setup puts the lenses directly above the hot bulbs. Eventually they get a melt-divot in them even with correct bulbs. This can be worked around, and any not-quite-red-enough tint in the new lenses can be dealt with at the same time, by clever bulb selection. Be real careful with your "LED bulbs" -- in quotes because most of them are unsafe junk. Detailed info here. The only ones worth using for the brake lights are these...for the backup lights these...for the front turn signals these.

Don't mess with "load resistors" (good way to louse up the reliability of the system), instead put in a flasher configured to work with LEDs.

(While you're in there, clean the reflectors and shoot 'em with "chrome" spray paint, which is ideal for the task)
 
I have some eBay led's in my dart reg bulbs were too dim. I probl change the ones in my cuda so they don't melt again
 
AFAIK the middles and lowers aren't being reproduced, but I could be wrong about that; need to check one particular cattledog when I get back to homebase

Sorry I'm late. Yes, all the '66 Barracuda tail lenses are being reproduced in nice quality by David Azzopardi in Australia. His website's very basic and he can be difficult to get hold of, but it's worth your persistence; his lenses are really nice quality and very affordably priced.
 
Well hopefully I will be able to make them As nice I have never heard of him and having no choices sucks.
 
-
Back
Top