Tail light stainless trim ring missing
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 2
From: Denton TX
Tail light stainless trim ring missing
So I was dusting off the car for a fall cruise, when I noticed one of the outer tail lights was missing the inner stainless trim ring. It must have fallen off on the last drive. Then I felt the one on the other side and the 2 back up lights....all were loose. I glued the loose ones, but I'm still one short.
I checked the large vendor sites and ebay, but all I can find is the entire plastic lense assemply (with the rings) for around 50 bones.
No way I'm paying that for a lense that is in otherwise working condition. Anybody got another source, or ideas?
Jeff
I checked the large vendor sites and ebay, but all I can find is the entire plastic lense assemply (with the rings) for around 50 bones.
No way I'm paying that for a lense that is in otherwise working condition. Anybody got another source, or ideas?
Jeff
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Hit up some swap meets with Corvette parts and buy a used lens. Not sure, but I think all the lenses use the same ring, so that can help increase the odds of finding what you need. Since the car operates fine 'as is', just wait till you find one you can afford. (At least, that's what I'd do.)
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,688
Likes: 41
From: Palm Harbor, Florida
First "upgrade" I did to my car, also at the wife's urging, was to replace the rear tailights, $160 if I recall. Like she said, nothing on the outside makes that car look old like those worn out faded, cracking taillights. Yeah, I know it's a lot of $
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I have a spare...
I changed out my tail lights some time ago and I noticed that the new rings were loose so I removed and re-glued them.
I do have an extra old ring so if you PM me your address I'll mail it to you.
Regards, PG.
I do have an extra old ring so if you PM me your address I'll mail it to you.
Regards, PG.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 7
From: l In
Thanks
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 2
From: Denton TX
Pete,
It arrived today, and it fits. I just sent a you PM about what I owe you for it . The '74 ring diameter is the same as a '76. Thanks again you are a true gentleman.
And thanks to all others for their offers of help...forum members are the best.
Jeff
It arrived today, and it fits. I just sent a you PM about what I owe you for it . The '74 ring diameter is the same as a '76. Thanks again you are a true gentleman.
And thanks to all others for their offers of help...forum members are the best.
Jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
No Charge...
Glad it got there so fast and that it fits.
Just one Corvette owner trying to help out another.
Just one Corvette owner trying to help out another.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
There are at least two manufacturers of C3 tail light lenses. Trim Lines (Trim Parts?) is one of them. I bought some repro tail light lenses for my 68 and 70 from Corvette vendors...I didn't know who made them.. (The brake light lenses for the 68 and 70 are interchangeable) Anyhow, I noticed some slight corrosion on my tail light stainless steel trim ..shouldn't be any since they are stainless. Called Trim Lines and they wouldn't address the problem unless they made them.. I shipped the lenses off to Trim Lines..and guess what?..they said the lenses were theirs...they said a subcontractor had sold them defective stainless trim rings for their lenses...they shipped me 4 all new replacement lenses at no cost. The reason I buy so many brake tail light lenses, is that the 68 had 4 tail light brake lenses and the 70 has 4 tail light brake lenses also since I converted the rear brake lights and back-up lights on the 70 to the 68 design.
I once had a stainless steel trim ring also fall off. Don't know who made the lens, just superglued it back on.
I once had a stainless steel trim ring also fall off. Don't know who made the lens, just superglued it back on.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Apr 8, 2015 at 10:35 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 282
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I replaced my lenses when I bought my 77, but I kept the old ones for parts. I have one that I can let you have. PM me your address and I'll mail it to you.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
It is a common problem, enough so that I have used on our web site. We kept the old lamps for year because GM wouldn't sell us the trims and neither will the reproduction people.
Glad you got one
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=28191
Glad you got one
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=28191
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thanks!
Will post some picks.
Thanks again!