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