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59 headlight bezel

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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 03:14 PM
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Default 59 headlight bezel
my headlight bezels fit like crap. how much can i try to bend them down to fit? will it end up breaking the metal or fracture the chrome? they stick up about a 1/4" above the fender spear.
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by C1 rookie
my headlight bezels fit like crap. how much can i try to bend them down to fit? will it end up breaking the metal or fracture the chrome? they stick up about a 1/4" above the fender spear.
To the best of my knowledge you can not bend the rings. In my case when the body work was being done I had the shop build the area under the spears to fit tight. It is not unusual for cars to the gap your talking about.


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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by C1 rookie
my headlight bezels fit like crap. how much can i try to bend them down to fit? will it end up breaking the metal or fracture the chrome? they stick up about a 1/4" above the fender spear.
most bezels have a bad fit. this is very common. place a nylon washer under fender spear to make difference less noticeable.
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by firstgear
To the best of my knowledge you can not bend the rings. In my case when the body work was being done I had the shop build the area under the spears to fit tight. It is not unusual for cars to the gap your talking about.

that's what i did
Bill
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 06:17 PM
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check out this article, it's focused on 61-62 but perhaps it will provide some ideas for your car.
http://rarecorvettes.com/RARE/FenderTop.html
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 10:12 PM
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the chrome 58-60 is completely different from the 61-62....as the trim extension fits and rests over the fender spear, and I do not believe them to be parts interchangable ......



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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 08:17 PM
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That seems to be a very common problem, I have seen too many to count in 58 & 59 with a poor fit. It was definetly a poor factory fit issue, and unless you go to the extreme of filler and paint, that is just the way it is.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by oldsarge
That seems to be a very common problem, I have seen too many to count in 58 & 59 with a poor fit. It was definitely a poor factory fit issue, and unless you go to the extreme of filler and paint, that is just the way it is.
That is pretty much it.

If you see a car with a perfect fit ring set, the front end has been worked extensively.

Doug
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 10:28 PM
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I bought a new set of repo headlight rings for my 58 and took my chance at bending them.

holding them upside down and pushing down, a little at a time. Worked for me.
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