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Gauging interest in the stock factory headlight gasket
I've been getting a fair interest in my new lens gasket but seems it may be daunting for most to install.
SO... Depending on the interest expressed here I will consider reproducing the stock gasket. I am already using the factory gasket material with the stock profile (see my other threads here and in "for sale" for pics). Profile is a couple of mils thicker to fill in the void around the headlight and fender/bumper more so than stock.
It will take around 6 to 8 weeks (and money) to produce the first ones. I certainly don't mind but has to be a market to warrant.
I have a spare headlight set I am building right now, in black, and I have a set of your pre-production lenses (nice BTW). I also have an extra set of HL gaskets in excellent shape that I will use with the black lights. If I decide to do my factory VR headlights, I would replace the gaskets new with these, but that's not a definite.
I understand your challenge. Spent half my career as a manufacturing engineer. I've seen lots of great ideas not make production BC the marketing piece didn't or couldn't work.
In this case, you are talking about a replacement part on a discontinued production car. From a marketing perspective, the size of the entire audience is pretty fixed knowing production numbers, and of that, those no longer in service, etc. Then, will interest be in a form/fit/function or cosmetic need, maybe all.
Right now, you're getting the "wishful" input, but a long way to go to solid purchase commitments. I'm guessing you are probably in the best single place to test market interest. I also think there is a far bigger potential past CF, but how to you reach and "herd" those cats?
I understand your challenge. Spent half my career as a manufacturing engineer. I've seen lots of great ideas not make production BC the marketing piece didn't or couldn't work.
In this case, you are talking about a replacement part on a discontinued production car. From a marketing perspective, the size of the entire audience is pretty fixed knowing production numbers, and of that, those no longer in service, etc. Then, will interest be in a form/fit/function or cosmetic need, maybe all.
Right now, you're getting the "wishful" input, but a long way to go to solid purchase commitments. I'm guessing you are probably in the best single place to test market interest. I also think there is a far bigger potential past CF, but how to you reach and "herd" those cats?
All the Best,
Thanks and you are spot on. It is a niche market for both the lens and gaskets and a finite number of C6's out there.
I redesigned my gasket for my lens to get a better fit, fill in the gap and stay in place. Since I sell my lens with my gasket already installed I suspect the stock gasket won't be much of an issue since the gasket typically doesn't get replaced until the lens gets replaced.
Since GM has stopped producing the gaskets or at least being in a perpetual backorder situation and my lens positioning to be the primary replacement lens and gaskets I don't think the market will last for the stock lens to warrant the cost involved to tool up and produce these.
I have ran a couple of threads over the past couple of weeks and had maybe a dozen members express interest. I run the threads a few more weeks and evaluate it then. For those that have expressed interest I do appreciate it. Spread the word and maybe we can make this worthwhile.
06-08-2017, 01:33 PM
Gauging interest in the stock factory headlight gasket
