Any interest in NEW '66 Dart tail light bezels?

[KevinB]

I'm weighing my options for redoing the tal lights on my dart. Rechroming pot metal with pits is very expensive. So here's the option I'm looking in to...

I'm contacting a 3D scanner company about scanning my bezels, I know someone with a 3D printer, or I may buy my own if there's enough interest. Then there are companies out there that will chrome plate a plastic printed piece. It ends up being fairly strong. There will likely be some amount of sanding required on the plastic.

I would be much more inclined to do it if I knew I could sell some of these to help recoup the cost of reverse engineering them. Obviously I can't say how much they would cost yet, but I'm hoping to be at $150 per tail light. Thoughts?

 

[Mopar Tim]

I paid about that to get mine re chromed. just sayin...

 

[KevinB]

I paid about that to get mine re chromed. just sayin...

Really? Were they pitted? I was told it was much more than that

 

[Mopar Tim]

they were original 66 parts, had to be worked on quite a bit. drilled out the pits, and filled drilled holes with what I dont know. Triple chrome plated. Copper to start to get smooth. just checked $155 each including the center bezels. One bezel was too far gone. I would have called them driver quality before. I was getting all chrome done, so I might have got a discount considering the quantity .

 

[KevinB]

they were original 66 parts, had to be worked on quite a bit. drilled out the pits, and filled drilled holes with what I dont know. Triple chrome plated. Copper to start to get smooth. just checked $155 each including the center bezels. One bezel was too far gone. I would have called them driver quality before.

Right on, I'll look in to that too

 

[mopowers]

$300 for the pair? I'm not sure you'd sell too many plastic reproductions at that price.

 

[KevinB]

$300 for the pair? I'm not sure you'd sell too many plastic reproductions at that price.

Well a few things to consider...the price was a starting point. Would they be plastic, yes, but much stronger than plastic because of the chrome. They will never rust out. Is $150 too much? I guess that depends on your options and point of view as everything does. But again, we will see. Right now I'm more interested in opinions on the idea, not so much price since it will likely change anyway.

In other news I have access to a handheld 3D scanner, I just don't know if that's the right way to do it. I also need to call my local chromer and get an official estimate on the old fashioned route. One thing that worries me about te helming the original piece is the likelihood of future pitting, making the chrome job an epic waste of time and money.

 

[Mopar Tim]

On a car like ours, not really a daily driver, pampered and garaged and loved, After all, we spent lots of time and money getting it pretty again, No way will the lights ever pit again.
And by ours, I mean anyone who has done what I described, bring back a Mopar.

 

[KevinB]

On a car like ours, not really a daily driver, pampered and garaged and loved, After all, we spent lots of time and money getting it pretty again, No way will the lights ever pit again.
And by ours, I mean anyone who has done what I described, bring back a Mopar.

That's true, maybe I'm just paranoid about it! Well I'm still going to explore the option for myself at least. If it ends up being cheaper, maybe I'll go for it. If I can get a good scan with the equipment that's available to me, then it's just paying for the printing and plating. If there's others that are interested, just watch for a thread about it

 

[Mopar Tim]

I have a few NOS lenses I would sell if you want. NOT a full set. But a good place to get good dimensions for your housings.

 

[KevinB]

I have a few NOS lenses I would sell if you want. NOT a full set. But a good place to get good dimensions for your housings.

Thanks Tim but I've got two complete sets at home that I can go by. If I do this I will likely join the two bezels, inner and outer, as one piece to save on printing and playing costs.

 

[Mopar Tim]

Thanks Tim but I've got two complete sets at home that I can go by. If I do this I will likely join the two bezels, inner and outer, as one piece to save on printing and playing costs.

And then cut them in half? One goes on the trunk lid.

 

[KevinB]

No sorry I meant each light has an inner and outer bezel, the touch on the flat side of the light...those would be one piece. And I'll reuse the back of the light housing as is.

 

[Mopar Tim]

No sorry I meant each light has an inner and outer bezel, the touch on the flat side of the light...those would be one piece. And I'll reuse the back of the light housing as is.

Having just assembled four of these lights, Im not sure one piece will work out. Might not be able to get lens in place.

 

[KevinB]

Having just assembled four of these lights, Im not sure one piece will work out. Might not be able to get lens in place.

I thought about that so I took one apart and the lens seems to pop in through the back at a slight angle. But that will be further discovery should I choose this route

 

[Mopar Tim]

They did a poor job designing these lights. They dont go together good. poor fitting. I think you will you work cut out for you. Good luck!

 

[rod7515]

I live in Pa and I had 3 estimates on rechroming my original lens, all were $175 to $225 apiece. I decided to find the best quality ones I could and going with what I got. I would have consider a $100 a light but no more. Even at that rate thats $400 for a set of tailghts. I decided to draw a line.
Rod