Anyone interested in reproduction US tail lamps?

[esprist]

Currently we are working on getting US Tail lamp assembly made at same quality as the limited production Europeantail lights.

Since Euro ones are very expensive, and very few were made (MSA has few now also) , we are working very hard to get the cost down.

Our minimum order is 500 sets to get the cost down, so it will be a major investment and a space taker as well for us.........

Price target/goal is at rertail price of $399 a set. Considering tipycal tail lamps for 300ZX are 200-300 a side, this should be a great pricing.......

What do you guys think?

[WingZr0]

I think the price point is perfect. But 500 sets, thats alot of Z's. Is this for both 240 and 280z style lights and all rubber bits too?

[Inf]

I would guess he is just referring to 240 lights since the 280z lights would require an entirely different set of molds and tooling and would ruin the profit margins and/or retail price.

I hope these come to fruition, as all I'd seen previously were reproduction lenses by themselves. As I recall, some people mentioned the color was slightly off on those repros also...

Can't say for sure if I'd be in for a set (there are a lot of other things for my Z that need to be mended/replaced first), but it'll definitely make me think hard about it when the time comes.

[Travel'n Man]

I'm ready - let me know when!

[zpizzaman20]

For that price I would be interested.

[Mike B]

I think that $399 is a good price point for a reproduction set, but if I recall correctly, they will be missing the Koito name and maybe some of the other original lettering? Also, there was a slight color change over time. The earliest lights were a darker red and have a number that ends in 152 and the later ones are slightly ligher and have a number that ends in 166. Probably not an issue for most, but someone with a show car might get a deduction for it.

I still think it would be a good idea of they could also reproduce just the chromed plastic center trim piece. If your lens aren't cracked, the originals are pretty easy to polish up so they look like new. The plastic chrome center strips can be rechromed, if you can find a good shop that will rechrome plastic for a decent price. I want mine to be as accurate as possible, so I restored my originals.

-Mike

[Carl Beck]

I agree with Mike - it's almost silly to reproduce the entire tail light assembly when only the center plastic/chrome trim is bad on most of them.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Arne]

I'll agree with Mike and Carl. My lights (including the chrome trim) are great. But they could stand to be dissassembled and cleaned inside, especially the left side (over the exhaust). I haven't done it yet because I fear ruining the chrome trim while trying to get it off. That one long stud is fragile and darned hard to get the clip off without breaking it.

But if reproduction trim was available, I'd tackle the job, knowing that I could replace it if I did break it.

[WingZr0]

I think it's a terrific idea. Especially if all the factory markings can be reproduced as mentioned. I understand the minimum order requirement and the more you order the cheaper each individual part is. I just question weather there'll be 500 buyers all at one time to start production. Whats the minimum order number you need up front Esprit to start the production of 500?

Edited February 10, 2010 by WingZr0