AFTER MARKET TRUNK TAIL LIGHT COVER FOR 69 CHARGER

[almerkel]

I cannot find the resource for the after market tail light protector inside the trunk on a 69 charger.  Anyone know who does this?

[mikepmcs]

 

[Shakey]

Grab a copy of Mopar Collectors Guide, the company is in TN and they advertise each month.  Just under $200.00 USD.  My magazines are all at home.

[JimShine]

They used to be on eBay for a while. I remember them being on there atleast up to last fall. They were usually in the $150 range. I wonder why we don't see them on there anymore.

[grek]

As mentioned above, they're advertise in MCG.  I also saw them selling them at Carlise last year. 

Grek

[Mfr426]

I saw them at Carlisle last year. I've got to say that they dont look right to me. I ended up getting an original one even though it was a bit "rough" I liked the texture much better than the repop'd one.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

RMC Components
P.O Box 97
Piney Flats, TN 37686

(423)538-5100
hemicuda@naxs.net

$189.00

[almerkel]

Thanks to all of you for the info.

[Brock Samson]

that's priceless!... 

[resq302]

FYI, I got one from RMC components and there are two verisions of the originals.  The only one being repro'd now is the narrow version but not the deep version.  What I am talking about is the area where the tail lights are on the plastic panel.  Mine is the deep version and would not fit with the narrow version.  There is like a 1" difference on the flat section where the tail light would go depth wise.  If I remember correctly, the deep version is something like 3 1/2".

[tan top]

sorry guys not trying to hijack this thread but does it also attach to the top of the welded on bumper support  bracket in side the trunk with 1 screw each side , i am sure i have seen this before some time ago , but my cover has not even got the plastic  flaps that would  be screwed on to them.don't look like they have been snapped off eather.

[resq302]

According to RMC components, the covers with the plastic tabs were only for 1970 model years and the screws were never installed due to no way being able acess the screws once the cover was installed.  Again, just going by what he said.

[tan top]

According to RMC components, the covers with the plastic tabs were only for 1970 model years and the screws were never installed due to no way being able acess the screws once the cover was installed.  Again, just going by what he said.

intresting     thanks for the infomation (resq302) 

[694spdRT]

According to RMC components, the covers with the plastic tabs were only for 1970 model years and the screws were never installed due to no way being able acess the screws once the cover was installed.  Again, just going by what he said.

My '69 is a very late build date and it as the two tabs and screw holes to match. 

[JimShine]

My '69 is a November 1968 production and still has the cover. Here is how mine used to mount (it broke).

[694spdRT]

I will have to go look at mine again...I am almost positive it attaches down by the bumper support.

[resq302]

The pictures that were shown are the holes that attach the cover just under the trunk lip.  From what RMC components told me, the holes were punched in the bumper floor brace but screws were never installed due to clearance of installing the screws with the way the tail lights were recesses into the trunk.  Again, I am only going by what RMC components told me and they could be wrong.  1970 versions had two little rounded tabs on the bottom of the plastic cover that angled out to the area of the bumper floor brace.  They tended to easily break off which made them look exactly look like a 1969 as those tabs were the only difference.

[bill440rt]

My '70 had the lower screws. You either need to use a stubby or right-angled screwdriver to attach them. Or, a ratchet with a Phillips socket.
I've never seen or heard of deep & shallow tail light covers before. If only a narrow version is being reproduced, then I would think it's safe to say it would not fit most, if not all other Chargers, right?? Otherwise, Dodge produced two different design tail lights?? Deep & shallow?? Never saw that, either.
Anyone else?

[resq302]

Bill, I pointed this out to Galen at the Mopar Atlantic Nats and he was suprised also.  Guess it is another one of those things like the long and short front bumper guards.

[bill440rt]

Brian,
I might be opening a can of worms here, & I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but... I don't buy it.
Think about it: How many variations of this plastic trunk gizmo did Dodge make? Right now, we're up to FOUR versions:
1) Shallow with tabs.
2) Deep with tabs.
3) Shallow without tabs.
4) Deep without tabs.

Then, there's the smooth/rough grain scenario. Now, we have FOUR MORE variations of a plastic tail light cover thingy. Again, I think covers made between '69-'70 with & without the tabs is a viable argument. But all these different variations of one part, used only in two model years, doesn't make sense. And, they're only repro-ing ONE of them??

[resq302]

Bill, I agree with you but I found it strange that my original tail light panel that was cracked and all marred up fit where as the repro one (narrow) didn't fit.  Again, I am just going but my observations and what was passed onto me by RMC.  I did talk to people that had the repro ones on their cars at the Mopar Atlantic Nats and theirs fit fine yet they were narrower than mine.  Who knows what Mopar did back in the day.

[tan top]

According to RMC components, the covers with the plastic tabs were only for 1970 model years and the screws were never installed due to no way being able acess the screws once the cover was installed.  Again, just going by what he said.

My '69 is a very late build date and it as the two tabs and screw holes to match. 

   
                  i have got the holes in the bumper support brackets in the trunk , my 69  had build date of November 22nd  68, . so my tail light cover is deep with out tabs ,smooth grain, i am sure it is the original one it was built with.

[resq302]

According to RMC components, the covers with the plastic tabs were only for 1970 model years and the screws were never installed due to no way being able acess the screws once the cover was installed.  Again, just going by what he said.

My '69 is a very late build date and it as the two tabs and screw holes to match. 

   
                  i have got the holes in the bumper support brackets in the trunk , my 69  had build date of November 22nd  68, . so my tail light cover is deep with out tabs ,smooth grain, i am sure  is the original one it was built with.

Mine was built May 9, of 1969 and has the deep version with a fairly smooth grain (or could have worn smooth over the years).  It also has the screw hole locations in the bumper support brackets but no evidence of the tabs where they could have even broken off. 

Certainly a weird situation.

[JimShine]

According to RMC components, the covers with the plastic tabs were only for 1970 model years and the screws were never installed due to no way being able acess the screws once the cover was installed.  Again, just going by what he said.

My '69 is a very late build date and it as the two tabs and screw holes to match. 

   
                  i have got the holes in the bumper support brackets in the trunk , my 69  had build date of November 22nd  68, . so my tail light cover is deep with out tabs ,smooth grain, i am sure it is the original one it was built with.

Wow! Our cars are brothers! Mine was built November 25th. I will go take the panel out now and get some good pics of it and post them.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

My car didnt come with one when I bought it.  The replacement I got has the lower tabs & my braces have the holes in them for screws.
There are however 2 extra holes in mine right on the top of the cover where the latch mechanism would be.....not the 2 on the verticle side of the cober but on the top horizontal side.  You can see it in this picture

As far as 2 different taillight housings, I have seen 2 different ones.

The difference is the "hood" of where the bulb socket goes into.   One is long & one is short.......this might be a factor in the shallow cover debate

[JimShine]

Here is something I never noticed before. Are the usual covers shorter on the drivers side to make room for the jack?

[tan top]

   
                  i have got the holes in the bumper support brackets in the trunk , my 69  had build date of November 22nd  68, . so my tail light cover is deep with out tabs ,smooth grain, i am sure it is the original one it was built with.

Wow! Our cars are brothers! Mine was built November 25th. I will go take the panel out now and get some good pics of it and post them.

awesome jim    just three days apart . mine was built at hamtramck

[JimShine]

My car was Hamtramck built as well.

[bill440rt]

My car didnt come with one when I bought it.  The replacement I got has the lower tabs & my braces have the holes in them for screws.
There are however 2 extra holes in mine right on the top of the cover where the latch mechanism would be.....not the 2 on the verticle side of the cober but on the top horizontal side.  You can see it in this picture

As far as 2 different taillight housings, I have seen 2 different ones.

The difference is the "hood" of where the bulb socket goes into.   One is long & one is short.......this might be a factor in the shallow cover debate

Chris,
The one in my '70 also has those 2 top holes. The texture also appears similar to the one just pictured.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

My 69 doesnt have holes in the body for it so I guess I have a 70 piece.

I think Im going to change back to the 69 style trunk mat as well.......maybe Ill get a tan plaid one

[tan top]

My car was Hamtramck built as well.

  looking at your pictures  jim   mine  has the  same one  
  yeah Chris i see what you are saying about the holes at the top eather side of the latch

[bill440rt]

Let me know, dude. I have a '69 that will sure find a happy home for it. 

[Skull-1]

My car was Hamtramck built as well.

My Charger is a 1969 built in St. Louis late 1968.   My tail light cover looked like yours.   I think it got lost or stolen in resto.   Very upset about that.

[Skull-1]

Here is something I never noticed before. Are the usual covers shorter on the drivers side to make room for the jack?

They are shorter.

[Skull-1]

The lady at RNC says it will fit.  Just have to tell them ahead of time if you have an early year 1969 and they trim the tabs to fit for you.

[Skull-1]

Are these being made again?   Last I checked they were working on it but had not done so...

[green69rt]

Found this, I don't know if they actually make any.

http://moparcollectorsguide.com/16mcgclassifiedads/index.php?page=item&id=586

[Charger-Bodie]

Found this, I don't know if they actually make any.

http://moparcollectorsguide.com/16mcgclassifiedads/index.php?page=item&id=586

They do. I've gotton several from them

[Skull-1]

Good news.  Thanks guys. 

[b5blue]

I can't see seller as I don't have a subscription. Anyone got a link?

[green69rt]

I can't see seller as I don't have a subscription. Anyone got a link?

I didn't find a link, just a phone number.

[Dino]

1-423-538-5100

[b5blue]

Thanks! 

[Skull-1]

1-423-538-5100

Are they available again?

[Basketcase69]

Don't know if this means anything to anyone, but I believe I know why there would be two variations of these interior tail light covers.

My 1969 Charger was built on Feb 26th 1969. It came with a set of tail lights that were missing the bezels and even the reflectors were rusted inside. I was able to purchase a set of 69 tail lights with fair to good bezels and noticed that the curved guards that protect the actual light sockets are about an inch longer on the tail lights I bought than they were on the originals. Thinking I probably bought a set of 70 tail lights, I checked for the rectangular reflector in the lens....No reflector, meaning they should be 69 lights.....

These socket guards stick out from the backside of the tail light reflector to protect the light socket and are the rear most part of the tail light. My guess is that the early 69 cars probably had the short socket guards and later 69s had longer ones. This would cause the need for a deeper cover on the cars that have the longer guards....Can post photos if anyone wants to see an example (can't right now).....

[69RTSE]

Are these still available.  No answer on posted number.

[green69rt]

Don't know if this means anything to anyone, but I believe I know why there would be two variations of these interior tail light covers.

My 1969 Charger was built on Feb 26th 1969. It came with a set of tail lights that were missing the bezels and even the reflectors were rusted inside. I was able to purchase a set of 69 tail lights with fair to good bezels and noticed that the curved guards that protect the actual light sockets are about an inch longer on the tail lights I bought than they were on the originals. Thinking I probably bought a set of 70 tail lights, I checked for the rectangular reflector in the lens....No reflector, meaning they should be 69 lights.....

These socket guards stick out from the backside of the tail light reflector to protect the light socket and are the rear most part of the tail light. My guess is that the early 69 cars probably had the short socket guards and later 69s had longer ones. This would cause the need for a deeper cover on the cars that have the longer guards....Can post photos if anyone wants to see an example (can't right now).....

I would guess that I have the short guards.

[69RTSE]

Has anyone bought the inside tail panel recently.  Phone rings, but no answer or voice mail.

[69RTSE]

Update.   Email is undeliverable and the phone number is answered by a real estate company.  Of interest, that company says they've had the phone number for 20 years.   I definitely dialed the correct number. So either the original number was wrong or they're out of business .  Has anyone bought one recently

[green69rt]

Update.   Email is undeliverable and the phone number is answered by a real estate company.  Of interest, that company says they've had the phone number for 20 years.   I definitely dialed the correct number. So either the original number was wrong or they're out of business .  Has anyone bought one recently

Do you remember how they answered the phone?  RMC was a subsiderary of Century Enterprises and I think they answer as Century.  It's confusing.

[70sixpkrt]

Update.   Email is undeliverable and the phone number is answered by a real estate company.  Of interest, that company says they've had the phone number for 20 years.   I definitely dialed the correct number. So either the original number was wrong or they're out of business .  Has anyone bought one recently

Do you remember how they answered the phone?  RMC was a subsiderary of Century Enterprises and I think they answer as Century.  It's confusing.

Update, I called the other day regarding their tail light cover. The lady that answered the phone says they halted production because of Covid. She took my number down and said once they start up again she will call me. The phone number is (423)538-5100

[kent]

I order one from them a couple of years ago. Took my cc number and said it would ship. She(Patti) put me through to the "shop"  Talked to a Mark fella. He tried to get me to order a few. I said I'd take two to cut down on shipping. I think he was looking for more like a dozen. Never happened. Called back. She told me a few excuses. And she apologized. That was the last I heard. I was never charged on my card. I figure I would call them once my car was finished.
Yes I write everything down in my "little black book" about these cars. People I talk to on the phone. Orders and the like. Comes in handy from time to time.

And you guessed it. I wrote that new contact info down in it. lol  Thanks for the update 70sixpkrt. 
May I ask where you got the updated phone#. And would you let us know of any further updates?

Thanks

[70sixpkrt]

I called the number that was in Mopar Collectors Guide. I didn't get the lady's name or how they answered the phone.

[70sixpkrt]

I thought I read somewhere that someone was trying to do a group buy a few years ago.

[Alec]

Hey all...I also need a tail light cover 69 made in Aril..does anyone know where to get one?