Repop tail light bezel, '69 GTX
- Thread starter Dale Lucy
- Start date
- Local time
- 9:46 PM
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2020
- Messages
- 2,750
- Reaction score
- 9,226
- Location
- State College, Pennsylvania
One of the original partners was the previous owner of my '69 GTX and restored it with their stuff. Best out there if you can afford it. I had reproductions on my last '69, which were pretty good, but the fit wasn't quite as good as OEM. Photo is the reproduction piece. The OEM pieces on the current car have been in place for over 20 years, and show no signs of deterioration.
Last edited:
How much would it be to have them re-chromed?
From what I have read, it would be almost as much to get a set repaired/re-chromed, than to buy the re-pops (maybe more?)
I see on ebay that there is a re-pop bezel for sale that has some warpage, I wonder if that is just the risk you would take in buying them?
Dale
- Local time
- 9:46 PM
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2022
- Messages
- 753
- Reaction score
- 1,164
- Location
- Fredericksburg, VA
Can speak to the GTX, but I bought a pair of the re-pops from Classic Industries for my 69 Dart when I built it and they held up fine for the six years I had them on the car. I agree with the statement above that having an original set reconditioned or rechromed could prove to be more costly than just buying the re-pops, and no one would even know you don't have originals on the car.
My cores were in nice shape with very minor pitting, the cost to chrome them was more than the repops currently sell for…
So, an update. I ordered a pair of bezels from PGClassics a couple of weeks ago when they had a 20% off coupon, and got them a few days ago. On initial inspection, they look great, a few oohs and awws (so shiny). Its when you look closer that it becomes apparent that the molds are not that great. The edges on my factory ones are quite thick, the edges on the re-pops are thick, thin, and super thin, depending where you look. When I tried to install them, there was a significant gap between the bezel and the quarter panel extension on the 'trunk side' of the extension (both bezels had the same gap), the gap was about 3/16th of an inch, and I did not see any way to close it up.
In addition, neither tail light lens would fully seat into the bezel. So, they are going back for a refund. I thought about and exchange, but I assume that they will all be the same.
Dale
SW MI
In addition, neither tail light lens would fully seat into the bezel. So, they are going back for a refund. I thought about and exchange, but I assume that they will all be the same.
Dale
SW MI
- Local time
- 9:46 PM
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2020
- Messages
- 2,750
- Reaction score
- 9,226
- Location
- State College, Pennsylvania
What is your plan at this point?
I have a pretty nice RH bezel that I'm going to put on the car, I'll keep the original LH one (its a 6ft quality bezel), on until I find a nice replacement,
Did you try the place I suggested in post #3?
yep. nothing available at this time
- Local time
- 9:46 PM
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2020
- Messages
- 2,750
- Reaction score
- 9,226
- Location
- State College, Pennsylvania
I have the originals that came off my car with 6000 miles on them. Might be an improvement, or not. If you will be at carlisle, you can see them, and decide if you want them. Pictures probably won’t show the flaws, a few small pits on inner sections.
This is what I have now:
Factory bezel that is on the car now: you can see pits on all 3 'layers' of chrome.
The more better replacement, it has a couple of pits on the second layer, and several on the third
Dale
Factory bezel that is on the car now: you can see pits on all 3 'layers' of chrome.
The more better replacement, it has a couple of pits on the second layer, and several on the third
Dale
I do plan on being at Carlisle, never been there before.
I'll be looking for a trunk finish panel as well, as mine is way pitted
- Local time
- 9:46 PM
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2020
- Messages
- 2,750
- Reaction score
- 9,226
- Location
- State College, Pennsylvania
Dale, looking forward to seeing you there. I will bring the bezels. I just inspected them, and I would say the condition is comparable to your "nicer" right side piece. It is amazing how fast these things deteriorate when on a driven car. There was a '69 Sport Satellite in the survivor tent at Carlisle for many years. It had 7000 original miles, and condition was pretty close to what is on your car. I had NOS on Baby Blue, my '68, sold the car in 1991, and when it came back 22 years later, with 7000 additional miles, pits had appeared. I've always cleaned this stuff after every drive with the cars I've owned.
Adam
Adam
Similar threads
