68 charger tail light housings poll PLEASE RESPOND

[Charger-Bodie]

please respond to this as it could make a huge diff on these becoming available!!!

[Troy]

Better be well under $1000...

My understanding on the housings is this: the bezels are usuallly pitted beyond savable because they are directly exposed to the elements. However, the housings can still be found in relatively nice condition for a decent price with maybe some spidering in the chrome surround. That will impact the market more than anything because most/many people are more likely to rechrome originals than rely on the reproductions to be nice. The reason checkmark trim, console tops, taillight bezels, mirrors, and side marker lights have a market is because of the extreme shortage of good original pieces - and the outrageous prices when you do find them. So, my answer is that I'd buy them (3 sets even) *if* the price was less than purchasing used and paying for chrome. I got a very nice set last year for $100 so there's my starting point. I can't have $1500 worth of chrome just in taillights unless I'm entering concourse shows (which I'm not - I drive my cars). On the other hand, I would be extremely happy to see someone make even more parts for 68s but not if the first part is a failure and they don't make anything else.

Troy

[Charger-Bodie]

just to clear up 1 thing these would be done by an already sucessful repro parts co. and the other stuff they have is second to none!

[Mike DC]

I'm personally not a '68 guy, so I'm not in the market for these parts.

But just as a general comment, I agree with Troy about these things.  If a set of the reproductions isn't a noticeable notch cheaper than fully redoing an original pitted set, then they won't sell.  The Mopar hobby is 100% conditioned to assume that a repro is worse than an original part in any case whatsoever.  (Maybe that's a valid idea or maybe it isn't, but either way that's the prevailing mindset within the Mopar hobby at this point.)

I'm not trying to be critical; I'm just trying to help.  I don't wanna see this supplier reproduce a weak-selling part and then get disappointed on the Mopar hobby.  If this particular part doesn't pan out, then I'd rather see the supplier realize this fact ahead of time and spend his money on a different Mopar part that will give him a better investment. 

 

[charge-it]

So when is PG classics going to repop them?

[Troy]

I suppose you should clarify the poll as "any 68 Charger owners with an interest" because it's obvious that other year/other car owners wouldn't be interested in buying...








for their inferior vehicles.

If they are already in the business then they know how sketchy it could be so the decision to spend the money is the big one I guess. 1968 had the highest production numbers for any year between 66 and 74 I believe so you'd think the customer base would be larger. I think that if a package deal was available for the housings, bezels, and lenses it would be great!

Troy

[Dave22443]

Being a '68 owner myself, I would be very interested in seeing them.  I would not however be willing to pay $1,000 for a set, even if they did include all new lenses and gaskets.  I mean, lets get real here.  We're talking about a set of tail lights.

I've picked up two spare sets of tail lights off eBay for $20 (each pair).  For around $300 or $400, I estimate I can get these rechromed and be like new (the lenses are good).

Don't get me wrong, I would love to be able to simply pluck down a fair price for a nice set of repops.  That would make life simple.  But speaking personally, I can't justify spending almost $1,000 on a set of tail lights.  The wife is understanding, but... 

I will say that I would be willing to go as much as $500 for a nice set, but that would be my absolute maximum.

Mopar = Most Over Priced Auto Restoration.

[Troy]

My understanding is that this thread is about the outer housings only. The bezels are already reproduced at $235+shipping. I can't find a price on the lenses at the moment.

Troy

[8WHEELER]

These are the Charger Specialties units.

CS127 68 CHARGER

TAILLIGHT LENSE

$53.95 EA

$159.95 SET 4

These are reproduction talilight lenses
for 1968 chargers. Price includes gaskets
=========================================================



Me being a ''68 GUY''.... I also would not pay anywhere near that much for a set of repo units.

I can get a OK set of original housings re-chromed for $300.00 to $400.00, at most, in my area.
The last set was so nice, it only cost $150.00 to re-chrome both housings.

But I am happy to see somebody out there, trying to help us restore these cars with good parts.

Dan

[Old Moparz]

I voted no for the same reasons the others did, the price. About 2 years ago, I found a nice, used, unpitted set that are not show quality, but much better than just driver quality for $125.00 per pair, complete. That's the housings, bezels, lenses, & I can bolt them in & be done. The only way I think someone would pay $1000 for these, would be if they were restoring a Hemi car to show condition, but the parts would have to be NOS & not repro.

I think it was roughly 7 or 8 years ago that someone reproduced '67 GTX, chrome, tail light, bezels that were nice. I saw them at Carlisle, but from what I recall, I heard they lost a bundle for lack of interest & a high price at close to $500 per pair.

[41husk]

I have found very few repops that match the original,  there are a few out there but not many.  I definetly would not go with 1k for a set.

[Charger-Bodie]

1 more thing guys some repro parts are better than nos and the rechromed one are NEVER as crisp as they were new i just thought there would be more folks willing to step up  to be able to buy nice repro housings

[Troy]

Another of my theories on the repro market is that most buyers know that manufacturing parts costs money but 99% of the guys "restoring" a car are on a (limited) budget. That means the part can be perfect but if the price point is too high then the warehouse will be full of parts and guys will be driving their cars with "nice original" pieces. As mentioned, the guys restoring rare cars or professional shops doing work for clients will fork over the cash for NOS if it's available. Now, not everyone realizes it but these parts can cost a LOT of money to make (usually due to the low volume) so you'll always have some people that claim $29.99 is too much for any part. Those people will never buy anything any way so you have to aim for the market where the buyers can afford and appreciate quality. This is my main contention with Chrysler certified parts. If the part has to be priced $50-100 more just because it has a part number on it then I'd rather do without a part number on my windshield wiper mechanisms, door handles, grilles, bumpers, chrome trim, engine seals, etc. I mean, no one can even see the numbers on most parts in the first place! The guys wanting numbers are prepared to pay for it but I think that most people (at least ones I've met) would rather have affordable parts that look right. I'd appreciate a company that put the extra money into making the parts look and fit correctly.

As for the chrome, sure, you lose some detail when a part is rechromed but, fortunately or unfortunately, only the most detail oriented person can tell the difference in most cases. I almost never see two 68 Chargers in the same place unless I'm at a Mopar show so any casual onlookers would have nothing to compare the quality with. Taillight housings also aren't the most conspicuous pieces on the car - unless someone is admiring the shiny new bezels and notice the spidered chrome on the housings.

Trust me, I'd love to be able to buy brand new taillights but I'd have $120k into building my car if I bought all reproduction parts. I have three Chargers and a Barracuda so that just isn't feasible on my salary. One thing to note: taillights are easy to remove and replace which is a good thing. It allows the buyer to pick up pieces as their budget allows. Once a car is painted and all the shiny new stuff is put on then the old housings will look out of place. It's a good winter project for most or a necessity for someone restoring a car that's missing pieces. I think the market is bigger than what the poll shows but the price still has to be in range. You'll find more buyers once the part is out and word of mouth spreads about the quality. I just can't guarantee how many.

Troy

[hemi68charger]

It's my understanding from talking with one of the vendors that it's already in the works........

Troy

[OttawaCharger]

I voted No for the same reason the guys above noted.  $1000 is too steep for my driver quality resto

[Joshua]

I'd CONSIDER buying a pair if/when I redo my '68.....IF the price was right.....would HAVE to be under $200 ea for ME though....

And yes '68's ARE the best year...no UGLY Pontiac center grill divider or wrap around bumper, cool ROUND taillights, and the door locks are not in the way when I put my arm out the window....hahaha! *Right guys?? right! 

[blackcharger]

too many decent used ones out there. have to be $500 or less for the set. but then I'm chap.

[daytonalo]

Wouldn't it be more cost effective to make them for 69-70 , or taillight bezels ? it just seems like everyone has a 69-70

[CHASWINGMAN2]

Wouldn't it be more cost effective to make them for 69-70 , or taillight bezels ? it just seems like everyone has a 69-70

Not so much as "more cost effective" in fact there is a distinct difference between the 69 and 70 lenses.  70 has a little reflector built in (put one of each side by side and you will see what I mean.  70 was a low production year compared to 68 and 69.  The plans for the 69 are to make the bezels that will screw on instead of those stupid pins that were swedged over or smushed flat.  There is enough material in the pot metal to do it with studs and that's what we plan to do.  The size of the lens is what will make them somewhat expensive.  We pay the mold maker based on the number of little refracters per square inch, and if you look at a 69 lens, you will see there are a million of them.  The laser cannot cut these into the mold and get the depth right, so they are done by hand.  We have learned this from our 69 GTX lenes we just finished. 
     The 68 outer bezels will be better than new, as in better quality pot metal and better plating.  Price will reflect cost of tooling, plating, shipping, licensing, qty produced, projected sales over the first year, and of course some perceived profit in there for future product development.   Not everyone will buy these housings, but a lot of fellas (and ladies) will.  I'm still running around with nice used ones on my car, of which I am happy with for now, but I can tell you, when I restore the car, I will want new perfect reproductions on it.

  Now, to answer 1hot68's question, yes I would buy them, but not at a $1000.00 per pair.  If I wasn't involved in all this resto stuff and found new repops that were perfect, I'd be willing to pay up to $800.00 per set, of course that all would depend on how much extra cash I had at the time, which is the case with most of us Mopar Knuckleheads.

[charge-it]

Wouldn't it be more cost effective to make them for 69-70 , or taillight bezels ? it just seems like everyone has a 69-70

Not so much as "more cost effective" in fact there is a distinct difference between the 69 and 70 lenses.  70 has a little reflector built in (put one of each side by side and you will see what I mean.  70 was a low production year compared to 68 and 69.  The plans for the 69 are to make the bezels that will screw on instead of those stupid pins that were swedged over or smushed flat.  There is enough material in the pot metal to do it with studs and that's what we plan to do.  The size of the lens is what will make them somewhat expensive.  We pay the mold maker based on the number of little refracters per square inch, and if you look at a 69 lens, you will see there are a million of them.  The laser cannot cut these into the mold and get the depth right, so they are done by hand.  We have learned this from our 69 GTX lenes we just finished. 
     The 68 outer bezels will be better than new, as in better quality pot metal and better plating.  Price will reflect cost of tooling, plating, shipping, licensing, qty produced, projected sales over the first year, and of course some perceived profit in there for future product development.   Not everyone will buy these housings, but a lot of fellas (and ladies) will.  I'm still running around with nice used ones on my car, of which I am happy with for now, but I can tell you, when I restore the car, I will want new perfect reproductions on it.

  Now, to answer 1hot68's question, yes I would buy them, but not at a $1000.00 per pair.  If I wasn't involved in all this resto stuff and found new repops that were perfect, I'd be willing to pay up to $800.00 per set, of course that all would depend on how much extra cash I had at the time, which is the case with most of us Mopar Knuckleheads.

So when is Peter going to release these parts? ( 68 tail light housings)

[JimShine]

I would consider them if they were $400 or less for a pair.

[dkn1997]

I got my originals rechromed for about 400 total, so new ones would have to be around 500. 

[dpm68]

I'm lucky, mine are in pretty damn good shape...wish I could say the same for the quarters!

[CHASWINGMAN2]

Wouldn't it be more cost effective to make them for 69-70 , or taillight bezels ? it just seems like everyone has a 69-70

Not so much as "more cost effective" in fact there is a distinct difference between the 69 and 70 lenses.  70 has a little reflector built in (put one of each side by side and you will see what I mean.  70 was a low production year compared to 68 and 69.  The plans for the 69 are to make the bezels that will screw on instead of those stupid pins that were swedged over or smushed flat.  There is enough material in the pot metal to do it with studs and that's what we plan to do.  The size of the lens is what will make them somewhat expensive.  We pay the mold maker based on the number of little refracters per square inch, and if you look at a 69 lens, you will see there are a million of them.  The laser cannot cut these into the mold and get the depth right, so they are done by hand.  We have learned this from our 69 GTX lenes we just finished. 
     The 68 outer bezels will be better than new, as in better quality pot metal and better plating.  Price will reflect cost of tooling, plating, shipping, licensing, qty produced, projected sales over the first year, and of course some perceived profit in there for future product development.   Not everyone will buy these housings, but a lot of fellas (and ladies) will.  I'm still running around with nice used ones on my car, of which I am happy with for now, but I can tell you, when I restore the car, I will want new perfect reproductions on it.

  Now, to answer 1hot68's question, yes I would buy them, but not at a $1000.00 per pair.  If I wasn't involved in all this resto stuff and found new repops that were perfect, I'd be willing to pay up to $800.00 per set, of course that all would depend on how much extra cash I had at the time, which is the case with most of us Mopar Knuckleheads.

So when is Peter going to release these parts? ( 68 tail light housings)

Still in the planning stages.  We are working to fill the Chrysler order on our other parts now.  Hopefully by early summer we will have the prototypes in our hands for fit and QC testing.

[Charger-Bodie]

well, do to the respone from this poll im pretty sure these will prob. not happen come on people we all wonder why noone has a wide selection of parts for our chargers this stuff cost money to produce and in the end we get nice parts but i guess some of us just want that " good enuf " crap instead of paying something 

[BEAPARTS]

New to DodgeCharger.com, My name is Mike Ross, owner of B/E & A Restoration Parts.  I am the financial partner with Peter at PG Classic and our company handles all the licensed parts, all the new parts being purchased by DiamlerChrysler for their new restoration parts program and we handle all parts distribution to all our dealers in the US and abroad.  I've been in the Mopar hobby for 25 years turning wrenches and restoring my own cars and a true mopar knucklehead no question.  It's nice to here all the good comments about our existing product and we look forward to producing additional parts for all our fellow mopar nuts out there. 

I've been watching the comments in reference to the 68 Charger tail light bezels, we are currently doing a market survey and they are not in production and based on the responses my not be produced.  This morning I received our official projected list price for these bezels which will be between $599-$699 for the pair.  These are a very heavy and expensive piece to repoduce.

Guys, we go to great lengths to insure the parts are of the highest quality, that we would use on our cars and be proud to show them off.  I always encourage input, good or bad, from all our fellow mopar friends in the hobby.

I am always available by phone (330-725-3990) and encourage anyone with input to call anytime, I love talking mopar.

Michael C. Ross
Owner - B/E & A Restoration Parts Inc.
www.beaparts.com
(330) 725-3990

[Old Moparz]

well, do to the respone from this poll im pretty sure these will prob. not happen come on people we all wonder why noone has a wide selection of parts for our chargers this stuff cost money to produce and in the end we get nice parts but i guess some of us just want that " good enuf " crap instead of paying something 

I wouldn't use one poll on a forum to judge what the entire hobby needs, or is willing to pay, but most of the responses seem sincere. The problem that is most obvious to me, is the target price of $1000. The average hobbyist knows it takes money to produce a product, but you have to understand that it's mostly a hobby, not a necessity. (Maybe to some it's a necessity, but not most, lol.) Save the replies & pass them on to the person considering the manufacturing of the housings so it can be one of several references. You have to remember one important thing, a forum for Chargers may only have a small percentage of Charger owners represented.

I'll give you an example that's local to me in the Newburgh, NY area. Of the local Mopar owners that I know of, which number about 25 that I see at cruises & such, l am friends with or talk to 12 of them. Of the 12, only 4 of us are on line regularly, including myself & only 3 of us are on forums, 2 on this one, & 1 on a Cuda-Challenger site. If this represents any kind of percentage, it tells me that if I were to ask all of the locals who saw the poll, it would be 2 out of 25. Not a good way to conduct a marketing survey if you ask me. Car shows seem to be the best way to get word out on new products & what's needed.

Forums & the internet is an important part, but not the only part.

I never wondered why there was never a wide variety of parts available, I already know it has a lot to do with production numbers. I knew that 25 years ago when friends of mine could get brand new stuff for their Mustangs & Chevelles for a lot less money than I could for my Charger, if I could get anything at all. As far as settling for "good enough" parts, for me I look at it as a trade off. I'd rather have several nice, clean, used, original parts, than spend every penny on only one repro part & still need other things. I have several cars & have no plans to make them museum pieces, just nice drivers. I also have a house & family, so I have a makeshift budget to consider.

[OttawaCharger]

New to DodgeCharger.com, My name is Mike Ross, owner of B/E & A Restoration Parts.

Welcome aboard! 

[Troy]

Hello Mike, welcome to the site!

You kind of hit on my point earlier, I'd rather see companies make necessary/impossible to find parts vs losing money on an expensive part that they can't sell because it's available from other sources. However, at $600 that changes things a bit. That means I can get the housings, bezels, lenses, and wiring for right at $1,000 which is pretty attractive compared to rechroming the old parts. I know you guys make it out to shows so you have a bit of an advantage. I can say without a doubt that after a day of trudging through a swap meet looking at overpriced, rusty garbage (ok, not all of it) that I'd be more than happy to spend my money on a nice, shiny new part. It's all about "state of mind". Todd mentioned before about selling more parts after the show from people who see the items in person but weren't planning on buying. I think that's a good way to really judge interest and a great approach to selling parts - but you have to make them first. The guys who are impressed will go tell everyone they know. Along those lines, I'm sure you meet a lot of people at shows and probably have a good idea of what the typical customer is like and how much they can spend.

To 1hot68's point, it's not always a matter of "want". I "want" perfect parts but by the time I buy them all I'll have $75k in a car with a book value in the mid $20k range. The average guy wanting to visit local cruise-ins and take Sunday drives may only have $8-20k total in his car. When it costs $1,500 to buy new grill plastic, $800 for upper door pads, $1,000 for a console, $1,000 for taillights, $700 for gauge refinishing, $1,500 for seat covers and door panels, plus maintenance like tires, brakes, gas, and oil (I'm not even not counting paint and body work here) then they will often times settle for the best they can do at the time. That's where I am with my Barracuda - as long as it is drivable and parts aren't falling off then I just keep putting the miles on it. I've learned that when a car is moving it's a lot harder for people to pick apart the details... and my smile is bigger!

Here's something that may be interesting: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,17038.0.html

I might also add that the price of good original parts and the lack of quality reproduction parts is what drives a lot of people to forums like this - to learn how to recondition the stuff they can find without spending a fortune. If there's one underlying theme among most of the threads in our tech section it's "how to get good results on a budget". Maybe that's just the online world but, in the real world, most of the local Mopar guys I know are pretty much the "MacGuyver" type. Perhaps it's a side effect of not having anything decent to work with for the last couple of decades.

Troy

[Joshua]

- as long as it is drivable and parts aren't falling off then I just keep putting the miles on it. I've learned that when a car is moving it's a lot harder for people to pick apart the details... and my smile is bigger!

That's awesome Troy!!!! My feelings exactly!

Made some very valid points......

[dkn1997]

well, do to the respone from this poll im pretty sure these will prob. not happen come on people we all wonder why noone has a wide selection of parts for our chargers this stuff cost money to produce and in the end we get nice parts but i guess some of us just want that " good enuf " crap instead of paying something 

guy, it's a grand for a pair of tailights.  nobody's against anyone making a buck, but that's a mortgage payment for some people......for a set of tailights.    that's why there is some negativity in this thread.
The mopar crowd in general is going to hem and haw about prices for anything because we seem to be a more grassroots type group than the GM and Ford guys, plus it gets real annoying watching the chevy guys run around with dirt cheap repro parts for the last 20 years when we have gotten squat.
and there are some way overpriced items in this hobby...so when someone says "it's a grand" some of us think "here we go again"

Now that  BEAparts posted the target price, it sounds a lot more reasonable for the average guy to afford.  thanks to bea parts!!

[Dave22443]

Question for BEAPARTS:

What exactly would I get for the target price of $599-$699?  Lets be specific here, so everyone is on the same page.  In other words, if I bought your "bezels", what else, if anything, would I need to also purchase in order to have "perfect" tail lights in my '68?  And will you sell those items as well?  And if so, how much are they?

If it helps, can you provide a picture of the exact thing I would recieve for my $$$?  I know this question may sound dumb, but I want to make sure I fully understand what we're talking about here.  The price your estimating is not that far off from what I said I would pay.  I may yet be convinved to move my vote to "YES, I would buy!"

Oh and, reguardless of whatever becomes of these parts, I appreciate your coming on here and joining in on the discussion.  That in itself speaks volumes for your character and I like that.

[charge-it]

Build them, we`ll buy them!

[Troy]

Dave22443: the "bezels" are already reproduced - it's the outer "housings" that we're discussing here. The bezels are the four round, chrome, ribbed thingies that hold the taillight lenses (BEAParts already makes/sells these). The housings are what hold the whole assembly together and have a chrome outer edge with a black painted center. The lenses can be purchased from Charger Specialties as stated earlier and the wiring (if you count it - I do) can be purchased through many repro parts sellers. I think that bulbs and possibly the speed nuts might be all that's left. I'll check out my parts book at home.

Troy

[Dave22443]

Cool. Thanks for the clarification Troy.    Got any prices on those other items?

[Troy]

The bezels are already reproduced at $235+shipping...

These are the Charger Specialties units.
...

$53.95 EA

$159.95 SET 4

These are reproduction talilight lenses
for 1968 chargers. Price includes gaskets
...

Dan

YearOne carries the wiring harness for $132.00. I'm sure other places have it too.

Troy

[Charger-Bodie]

i would also like to state thate bea also makes the lenses and bezals .........if they did the housings that would meen we could get complete new t lights for 68s from 1 place

[69charger2002]

i don't think the issue here is the lack of want or need for these new pieces. the issue is flat out money. $1000 for a complete 68 taillight set up is insane. it doesn't matter if tooling costs are $995 and the manufacturer is only wanting a $5 profit. not many mopar/charger owners have that kind of spare cash for such a minor part in the big picture.  as brought up before, and as i've mentioned in long ago posts, it gets very frustrating to see camaro and mustang stuff sold new at 20% of what we pay .. my old example. 68 mustang front valance repop new $30 bucks on ebay, we pay $150. do the math, yes i'm not nieve i know about demand and the amount of mustangs compared to chargers. i am simply saying why it is so frustrating. we pay more for everything, and not many people have $100k to dump into their charger, whether it be a original 318 car or HEMI car.  i mean it would literally cost us $100,000 or more if we bought EVERY part new or repro for say a 1968 charger to restore it. that is absurd.  it is nothing against the awesome repro parts suppliers who are TRYING to help us get much needed new resto parts, i am simply speaking on behalf of what i feel would be the views of majority of charger owners. after a certain $$ amount, on any particular item.. it gets out of our price range.
trav

[Joshua]

You said it Trav........

[Charger-Bodie]

i have but 1 thing to say about people comparing camaro parts to charger repro parts ...for the most part the stuff repoped for gm cars is cheap because its crap and it came out when that far below standards were fine but we are alot more fussy about restos these days .....20 years ago a average resto was seat covers and a paint job ........thats just not where its at anymore atleast not the way i see it

[CHASWINGMAN2]

i have but 1 thing to say about people comparing camaro parts to charger repro parts ...for the most part the stuff repoped for gm cars is cheap because its crap and it came out when that far below standards were fine but we are alot more fussy about restos these days .....20 years ago a average resto was seat covers and a paint job ........thats just not where its at anymore atleast not the way i see it

What he said,  I have a customer that has a classic car dealership and he loves our stuff.  He is so sick of restoring mudstains and shovels that he could vomit.  He will buy parts from several different vendors and have to send back half of it until they get it right.  Even the simplest of parts don't fit.  The GM and Ford worlds both have top notch vendors and guess what, the parts are a little pricey.  It's the old saying "You get what you pay for".  Now, that being said, There are customers that are happy with the crappy parts because of the price, and the same really goes for the Mopar world.  I for one don't want to sell junk parts, in fact I won't.   If people shop price, they will "Get what they pay for". 

          I worked two jobs to support my family and my Mopar addiction, I ponied up for the right stuff when I could.  I'm not rich now and don't plan on hitting the lottery either (you have to play to win).   Don't anyone think that we aren't bringing you the parts at the best price possible.  We all started with nothing and have real jobs as it is.  This is not our lottery ticket, we are having fun and filling a void that has be empty for a long time.  When I go to sleep at night, I don't dream about my girlfriend (s), I dream about parts, plastics, polymers, metals, plating processes, vernier calipers, 400 ton presses, shipping charges, US customs, ebay fees, pain in the ass customers that aren't even Mopar guys etc.  Pretty much the same thing we all dream about.   Well, my #2 girlfriend just walked in, gotta run, I'll rant some more later.

[Charger Aficionado]

i have but 1 thing to say about people comparing camaro parts to charger repro parts ...for the most part the stuff repoped for gm cars is cheap because its crap and it came out when that far below standards were fine but we are alot more fussy about restos these days .....20 years ago a average resto was seat covers and a paint job ........thats just not where its at anymore atleast not the way i see it

EXCELLENT perspective.


So how do you all feel about PPR pricing '68 & '69 Grilles around $599?  I was asked to ask around.  (Keep in mind, the original price was supposed to be $750).  I think the price if fair, whatabout you all?  The product looks superb so-far in photos. 

Grille = all plastic pieces:   Center Grille, Headlamp doors, and Headlamp Door Surrounds. 

[gtx6970]

Interesting reading to say the least.

I can say that IF the part is nice, (and this applies to any part )  I would be willing to bet it will sell if priced accordingly, not over priced but fair for both the seller and the buyer.

If it's cheap looking or poor fitting , word will travel fast and it will collect nothing but dust

[Silver R/T]

well the price is expensive. This is for Charger parts not chevy. You do not see Ferrari owner complaining about $5000 to redo seat, because its high priced car to start with, quality is higher as well above your daily driver.

[dkn1997]

well the price is expensive. This is for Charger parts not chevy. You do not see Ferrari owner complaining about $5000 to redo seat, because its high priced car to start with, quality is higher as well above your daily driver.

however.....ferrari guys are not pulling cars out of barns and junkyards to restore them (I am talking about the average guy who is NOT pulling a hemi car or a superbird out of a field, just average joe pulling a 318 car from somewhere)  , so comparing them to mopar owners is apples to oranges. sure there are plenty of mopars worth more than a ferrari, but the majority of us don't own them and thus, are on some sort of budget.  there are no ferrari owners on a budget, at least not like any we are on.  and a ferrari might have better parts than my daily driver, but most old mopars do not.  plastics?  they have come a long way.  engines?  well, they are not done at 100k anymore.  bodys?  they don't rust out after 5 years anymore. 

I wish we had the choice on most parts like the chevy guys do.  there are instances,  where I would take a repro part that was not perfect for my daily driver.  the problem is that for some parts, there is only one choice and sometimes, it's too expensive. 

[Silver R/T]

you're not saying that nobody's restoring ferrari's? Restorers have to pay out big bucks for their parts also, it's not just Mopar guys.

[dkn1997]

you're not saying that nobody's restoring ferrari's? Restorers have to pay out big bucks for their parts also, it's not just Mopar guys.

I said that they were not pulling them from barns and fields to restore, not that they were not restoring them period.   they are pulling them from garages and self storages.  ferraris don't generally get used as daily transportation and disposed of like our daily driver 60's/70's mopars.  those cars were collectible when new, and thus, treated as so.  so the point is that they usually don't need the sort of resto (rust repair,etc..) that our cars do and since they have no real budget to speak of,  using them as the example of a group that does not complain about the cost of resto parts is pushing it since they are much wealthier than the average guy who posts on here.

and since I work in a business that caters to very wealthy, I am talking extremely wealthy people, I am qualified to say that Yes, in fact the ferarri guy is complaining about his 5000 dollar seat.  They go out of their way to beat my company out of 50 or 60 bucks any chance they get.

[resq302]

Troy, I absolutely agree.

Granted, I own a 69 and therefore did not vote in the poll.  I will mention that our cars have a LOT of "one year only specific" parts.  I, myself, am currently being forced to restore my trim rings as 1969 trim rings for the magnum 500 rims were year specific and no one repros them.  If someone made a "correct" repro, I would certainly have paid well over what decent originals were just to get them in pristine condition.  The upper door pads are the same thing in which I think they are way over due being reprod.  With the 68 taillights being a one year only part, that itself might hurt the project where as the check pieces for the vinyl top that are now reprod (I was hesitant at first but after hearing about the quality and then seeing them in person), I was amazed at how exact they were compared to originals.  What might have helped those pieces out was that they were used for 3 years and would have had 3 times the perspective buyers.

My opinion is if the reproduction piece is just as good as the originals, then I would not have a problem buying the reproduction pieces as the metal is newer and will probably out last the originals due to weather, workmanship back then, and such.  Probably within a year I will be looking for a new 4 speed console top plate for my Charger.  From what I have heard, the repros that are being made are basically exact to what the originals were.  Mine is starting to blister but my options are...buy a repro that will probably not blister for years or get mine replated and then chance on having it blister up in a different spot 2 months after it is redone.  (we had this exact same problem happen in our head light buckets that were white metal on our 71 Buick GS convert that we sold).  So for me, if the item will not externally look different or show any things that were not visible on original pieces, and since I will not be having the judges remove these said pieces off the car just to look for those specific items such as part numbers or the penta star, I would purchase the repros.

Just my .02.

[Charger-Bodie]

Troy, I absolutely agree.

Granted, I own a 69 and therefore did not vote in the poll.  I will mention that our cars have a LOT of "one year only specific" parts.  I, myself, am currently being forced to restore my trim rings as 1969 trim rings for the magnum 500 rims were year specific and no one repros them.  If someone made a "correct" repro, I would certainly have paid well over what decent originals were just to get them in pristine condition.  The upper door pads are the same thing in which I think they are way over due being reprod.  With the 68 taillights being a one year only part, that itself might hurt the project where as the check pieces for the vinyl top that are now reprod I was hesitant at first but after hearing about the quality and then seeing them in person, I was amazed at how exact they were compared to originals.  What might have helped those pieces out was that they were used for 3 years and would have had 3 times the perspective buyers.

My opinion is if the reproduction piece is just as good as the originals, then I would not have a problem buying the reproduction pieces as the metal is newer and will probably out last the originals due to weather, workmanship back then, and such.  Probably within a year I will be looking for a new 4 speed console top plate for my Charger.  From what I have heard, the repros that are being made are basically exact to what the originals were.  Mine is starting to blister but my options are...buy a repro that will probably not blister for years or get mine replated and then chance on having it blister up in a different spot 2 months after it is redone.  (we had this exact same problem happen in our head light buckets that were white metal on our 71 Buick GS convert that we sold).  So for me, if the item will not externally look different or show any things that were not visible on original pieces, and since I will not be having the judges remove these said pieces off the car just to look for those specific items such as part numbers or the penta star, I would purchase the repros.

Just my .02.

VERY WELL SAID!!

[bull]

I might pay close to $1,000 but only for a complete, assembled pair (bezels, housing and lenses) not for the housings alone -- at least not in the immediate to near future. If I were done with my project and everything but my taillight housings were in good shape I might consider it but that's pretty steep IMO. I'd say $600 to $700 is way more doable, as mentioned by BEAPARTS, but I would most definitely have to wait for quite some time before I could justify it. PG Classic can sell you a complete '68 console plate kit for $765 so I can't really see how/why a pair of taillight housings would match or top that. I hate the thought of our comments here being responsible for the scuttling of this project but I think it's an honest take on the reality of our lives. As dkn1997 said, we are grassroots guys trying to put together grassroots cars at Ferrari prices. Something has to give in that formula and usually it's the part we see as being over the top expense-wise.

I also don't think it's fair to use this site as your only source of information to make this decision. From what I've gathered over the years, while talking to the guys on this site, it seems there aren't too many of us with gobs of expendable income. I would imagine there are hundreds of '68 Charger owners though who do not frequent this site that have that kind of money but I don't know them or talk to them. They are the guys buying and selling Hemi Chargers and I don't see that going on here.

[Silver R/T]

It's much easier to pick out a good pair on ebay and put together a set from good housings/lenses. That's what I did. Granted my Charger won't be on BJ anytime soon, Im going to drive it as much as possible once restored and so will my family when I pass it on.

[Mike DC]

 
In the big scheme of things, I just want the repro industry to start getting serious about the major panels on the popular cars. 
IMHO everything else pales in comparison to that. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Man, if decent 2nd-gen Charger shells & large panels were as cheap as VW Beetle parts, I'd practically be willing to hand-carve all the smaller parts I still needed to get them assembled.

I think mopar guys get SO crazy about making these cars SO perfect because it's SO much effort just to get a decent one we can drive.  By the time we've spent 4 years and $28,000 just to get a driveable 383/auto cruiser that isn't blatantly corner-cut, we're no longer in the mood to settle for ANYTHING being second-best on it anymore.

.

[dkn1997]

we are grassroots guys trying to put together grassroots cars at Ferrari prices. Something has to give in that formula and usually it's the part we see as being over the top expense-wise.


That's it in a nutshell.  Many of us slightly older (I am 37, got my car when i was 24) guys bought our cars when they were relatively cheap and the recent boom market has priced everything up so much that we cannot afford to do it all, especially when we are not flippers who intend to sell to recoup their investment in these expensive parts.  That is not to say that the vendors who are making the parts are doing anything wrong, If people are willing to pay "x" amount of bucks for a part, then that's how it is.  I am just glad that some of these obscure parts are being made at all.  at least I can get them in the future if I can afford them.

[bull]

I just read a quote by Dane (DaytonaGuy) where he responded to a thread about someone who is considering reproducing Daytona wings that I thought might be appropriate here. "I hope you are able to do this. I think it is great for the hobby. We need a variety of options for all levels of restoration."

I know 1hot68 said that many GM reproduction parts are of mediocre quality and priced accordingly, and that's probably true, but there are many in the hobby who just cannot pay one large for every major component on a car. I think it would be great for the hobby if you guys did this, and I think the housings would sell at $700, but I hope one day (despite any quality issues) there will be taillight housings priced for the paycheck to paycheck guys who are at the lessor "levels of restoration."

[JimShine]

i have but 1 thing to say about people comparing camaro parts to charger repro parts ...for the most part the stuff repoped for gm cars is cheap because its crap and it came out when that far below standards were fine but we are alot more fussy about restos these days .....20 years ago a average resto was seat covers and a paint job ........thats just not where its at anymore atleast not the way i see it

EXCELLENT perspective.


So how do you all feel about PPR pricing '68 & '69 Grilles around $599?  I was asked to ask around.  (Keep in mind, the original price was supposed to be $750).  I think the price if fair, whatabout you all?  The product looks superb so-far in photos. 

Grille = all plastic pieces:   Center Grille, Headlamp doors, and Headlamp Door Surrounds. 

I feel that is an excelent price. But in my mind a clean Charger grille has a larger impact on the look of a car than what eventually ends up being about a 1/3" strip of chrome around the taillights.

[towman]

I would buy them i have brought several of your products before they are great top qualty stuff in fact i am saving up to buy your dash kit now but anyway i wish you would do the 69 charger tail lights or just the chrome trim you cant find any of them with good chrome trim i have been looking for a year now just my 2 cents

[SeattleCharger]

someone make a 68 glove compartment latch please, 

[TylerCharger69]

In my honest opinion....not only would I do '68,   but '69 and '70 as well.   That way none of the second generation cars are segregated. 

[CaptMarvel]

Ive got pretty decent factory ones on my 68, but even if they were not, they would have to be well under a grand to get my interest.

[Corellian Corvette]

FWIW - I'm with the folks above who said that $1000 would only be interesting if that was a complete, repop assembly ready to bolt on. Gaskets, lenses, the studs, nuts, the works. Then I would probably do it.

Frankly, there are a lot more parts I think that are *needed* than taillights. Taillights can be re-chromed and re-painted. Lenses are available, as are the lens housings.

I would much rather see 68 grilles, or even better somebody do the freaking upper door panels for gosh sakes! Those things go for a fortune on ebay, they're hard to restore, and they work for both 68 and 69 cars. Tell your friend to start on that instead!

[BB1]

Dang it, I'm in the same boat. New ones would look so much better.
I hope we get some direction of interest soon, there is a market out there for sure, be it limited to one year.

[ran396]

i own 2 1968 chargers r/t. i restored on in 1990-2 and paid $500.00 each side to get them mint NOS mopar housings. i have never seen any good rechromed housings . if car has new paint job and new interior the car deserves the best in taillights. i would buy the repro taillights for $1000.00 if they were available

[68 CHARGER R/T]

I HOPE THEY MAKE SOMETHING FOR MY 68

[Wheels of Terror]

I suppose you should clarify the poll as "any 68 Charger owners with an interest" because it's obvious that other year/other car owners wouldn't be interested in buying...

True.....but it could lead to the manufacturing of different years. Maybe if there is enough interest the 68 lights.

[NMike]

So how do you all feel about PPR pricing '68 & '69 Grilles around $599?  I was asked to ask around.  (Keep in mind, the original price was supposed to be $750).  I think the price if fair, whatabout you all?  The product looks superb so-far in photos. 

Grille = all plastic pieces:   Center Grille, Headlamp doors, and Headlamp Door Surrounds. 

sign me up for one of those kits...

ok, please return to topic now....

[daytonalo]

I love all 68-70 chargers , for every one 68 car I have seen 10 ,69-70 chargers , just don't understand why they would concentrate on 68?

[Troy]

I love all 68-70 chargers , for every one 68 car I have seen 10 ,69-70 chargers , just don't understand why they would concentrate on 68?

Simple - because they are cooler.

Troy

[SeattleCharger]

They are cooler, heh, ya Troy, and maybe cause if you see one to ten ratio, maybe its ten times harder to find a part, I don't know.   

[tommymac]

No too much mulla.Mine are fine and I have a good spare set.

[Charger-Bodie]

No too much mulla.Mine are fine and I have a good spare set.

thats easy to say when you already have 2 nice sets !!

[The70RT]

I love all 68-70 chargers , for every one 68 car I have seen 10 ,69-70 chargers , just don't understand why they would concentrate on 68?

The reason is they concentrate on 68 is because the pitting of the housings and 69 & 70 dont have that problem.