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How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 midget

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RickB

RickB

Yoda
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Tony almost ordered me the parts that go under the tail lights but they were for an MGB. I need to "fix" those areas, before I put on my chrome bumper.

I'm totally open to suggestion here, I've already thought about fabricating something up but if someone has a great idea I'd really like to hear it.

Thanks!
 
The only suggestion I have is to beat them out yourself. Looks like it would need to be three pieces. The big bumpers from the pre 1970 midgets would obscure most of it, so it wouldn't need to be perfect.
 
I'd say, save yourself the hassle and either 1) leave it as-is (only purists will notice) or 2) cut the sheet metal out of a parts car, and graft it on.

I've been pondering the same thing myself, but have decided to stay stock. If I can't live with a rubber bumper car, I'll sell it and buy a chrome-bumper.

-D
 
Re: How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 mi

racingenglishcars said:
It's English. Form them out of wood.
Click to expand...

heh heh - I was thinking along those lines...

make them nice & smooth, couple screw holes from inside the trunk, bit of putty & some paint... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
Re: How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 mi

I was able to find a rusted out car that I could cut the pieces from. I haven't gotten around to attaching them yet, so can't report on whether it was a good idea or not.
 
Re: How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 mi

Morris, I'm sure that's an 'upgrade' that many on here would be interested in hearing about!

-D
 
Re: How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 mi

Pop rivits and bondo, hehe.
 
Re: How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 mi

Rick,

I called Spridgetech today. Nice guy. He does not make an OEM style chrome bumper valance, however he told me he could shoot the corners from the wide body kit out of the molds for 70 bucks. For reference, here's a pic of the wide body kit..
streetglass3.jpg


He said that you will have to work them a little to get it to blend into the valance and rear fenders.
 
Re: How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 mi

I have the complete rear fenders from spridgetech. They are real great but that arear is made to fit over the existing pre 74 valance at least it does on mine, so they are a bit wider that the originals.
 
Re: How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 mi

mmm... that's a pretty car..

Right, so that would be just the bits under the lights correct?
 
Re: How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 mi

blkcorvair said:
I have the complete rear fenders from spridgetech. They are real great but that arear is made to fit over the existing pre 74 valance at least it does on mine, so they are a bit wider that the originals.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about just that. I was thinking about having him shoot me the whole rear valance and then I woul work down the sides where it meets the OEM fenders, which probably would mean scratch building them. Not an entirely difficult option, since all I would have to do is fit the rear valance overlay and use the existing tailight openings as a guide to glass the panel up to where it meets the OEM fender- I'd probably end up building the sides where it meets the OEM fender from scratch, suing fiberglass and glass filler. I'm going to call him back about that and see if he will shoot me an entire rear wide body valance overlay.

Working this overlay in doesnb't seem difficult when compared to the other option: scratch building them. I'd at least have something to work with.

BTW, I told the guy he should be making these pieces as it seems a few people would like these corner ends. He's not a big buisness guy and he's just out looking for a few bucks and to make a living..

hmm, maybe i should buy an early 60's style valance and make a plug myself. I'd pay for the whole thing after about 3 shoots.

Do you have a pic of the rear valance overlay?
 
Re: How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 mi

preform resources actually makes those fenders for spridgetech, as well as WC they are the same. Rob from WC may be someone to call on that. I got my fenders through them, just a bit more user savy it seemed.
 
Re: How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 mi

I don't know about everyone else, I'd be more interested in a pressed metal part than fiberglass. A couple of stitch welds, a tiny bit of filler and you're done.
 
Re: How to 'fix' under the tail lights? on a 78 mi

tosoutherncars said:
I don't know about everyone else, I'd be more interested in a pressed metal part than fiberglass. A couple of stitch welds, a tiny bit of filler and you're done.
Click to expand...

Ditto. If I was to do them in fiberglass I would want a way to fasten them, short of just using resin, glass or epoxy.

I'm ghoing to make some more calls tomorrow to Spridgetech and the guy Black Corvair mentioned and get some more dope on this.
 
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