Scootin_Z

I'm looking up a screw kit for the tail lights on my 69 on Corvette America's website and the picture shows them as black. Corvette Central shows 68-69 as being chrome, but then shows 70-73 screws as black.

Anyone know what they should be on a 69 and did they go to black in 70?
I'm pretty sure they are chrome and I think CA's website just has the wrong pic up for 68-69. I was not aware that 70-73 were black.

Also anyone know how the quality is on the repro rear License Plate chrome Bezel. It's $70 compared to $140 for NOS. Mine is just starting to look crappy...so I was thinking if the repro is decent...what the heck.

427SIXPACK

Tail light lens screws on my 68 are metal color not black. I'm almost certain it was the same for 69

427SIXPACK

as far as the tail light bezel..........well i really don't care for any "REPRO" chrome anything. I think most comes out of CHINA poor quality, poor fit etc. I'd prefer to have an orignal redone. I'm certain you can have it rechromed, keep it original for the same $140 for an NOS or less.............

Roughrider

On my '69 the rear lens screws appear to be natural metal finish. Unless you're interested in absolute authenticity I would go with stainless steel screws if available.

Scootin_Z

Thanks guys. Yeah that's my next step. Called this morning and there is none available (aftermarket) Corvette America said...you guessed it...Chrome issues. I'll look into mine getting dipped over spending the 140 on a NOS one. Rep said he thought that the screws should be metal not black and the pic was wrong as I thought. But 70-73 had black? That's news to me....

GD70

natural metal on my 70

Scootin_Z

well I don't know why these guys have black listed but that's why I posted here. I'm no NCRS guy and have not really paid attention to what they were on cars I have seen in the past!

Thanks guys

GD70

here's a pic of my tail lights. The screws on the reverse lenses are rusty so they don't show up very well. Hope this helps.
Glenn

Scootin_Z

Thanks Glenn

early shark

Both '71's have a plated screw. Color looks to be a dark phosphate not quite black, but pretty close.

gq82

Black phosphate on my 71.

babylonvette

i bought one on fleabay the seller said they were perfect and he sold hundreds of them well you guesed it it is a piece of c***p it looks like a plastic imitation i cleaned the old one and sold the garbage at a loss at a swap meet

7T1vette

Original '68s and '71s [at least] have cadmium plated screws...they were not phospate coated from the factory. I think either cadmium plated or chrome would be acceptable...but it is a special design screw rather than a standard issue that you can buy at Lowe's. There is a short, unthreaded shank on the screw that allows it to bottom-out so you can torque it tight, without putting pressure on the plastic lens.

Rowdy Rat

Tail light lens screws for 1968-1969 were chrome plated.

Tail light lens screws for 1970-1972 were black oxide plated.

Regarding cadmium... By the time our cars were built (1968 and later), almost all of the bright silver plating was being done in zinc. Cadmium had been phased out due to cost and the toxic nature of the plating process.

Regards,

Rowdy Rat

Charley,

Good information... I should have mentioned this in my original post.

The configuration of these screws is somewhat unique and not something that you are likely to turn up at the local hardware store.

Regards,

Stan Falenski

gq82

Well at least I knew they were supposed to be black....as always thanks for clarification Stan.

Scootin_Z

amazing how much info some of you guys know about a screw!
Anyhow, I just got some in from Corvette America and the just look like a standard machine screw. I don't have one of the screws out of the car to compare right now, But if the originals have the non threaded shoulder etc...these don't.
Not the greatest picture...just took a quickie....