Tail Light Print

[11SecAvanti]

Test mount installation. Will sand down, prime and color match next.

[gordr]

For drag racing, isn't weight on the rear an advantage? Or at least less of a disadvantage as weight at the front? I am still skeptical of the usefulness of this project, unless as an exercise in learning the methodology. Now, if you could 3D print '53 and '54 grille shells and bars, and vacuum-chrome plate them, you'd have a ready market. Even the headlight rings. And Hawk grilles (the finned Hawks, and surrounds for the GTs).

[swvalcon]

I second the grille surround on the gts. If you could make those and chrome you have a market.

[(S)]

It used to be a slight advantage. Now days a good tuned suspension and slicks 'plants' the tires. Some of these engines are only so powerful, so shedding weight is like adding more power.

[11SecAvanti]

Showed the new taillights to a Lexus yesterday evening. Record run for the Super Lark clone and first sub 12 second pass. He launched rather early while staging so I went ahead and nailed it. Yesterday was my birthday. 71 and having fun (well trying anyway).

[Bo Markham]

How about doing that with the 53 and 54 C/K tail lights that are no longer being repopped?

[garyash]

The 1953-55 taillight housings are good examples of where the drawings won't lead anyone to the correctly-shaped parts. You can draw them up on the 3D CAD system, but it takes a lot more work to blend the shapes to a smooth surface. As I recall, Dick Steinkamp went through the exercise some years ago and estimated it would take about 300 pairs of lights to break even after the costs of development and tooling, even at $200 or more per housing - and Chinese costs have gone up a lot since then. These are not ever going to be CASO items. Here's a glimpse of how a 1955 housing might look after chrome plating.

What happened to the 1953-54 tooling? I thought those were produced. One very tough aspect of making parts like those is getting excellent quality chrome. If it isn't the right color or it peels after 6 months, customer screams will be very loud. When I made the M5 bumper guards, I had them cast in 316L stainless so I would never have to answer a complaint about chrome quality. I sold all the ones I had made, but it took 10 years and I won't make another batch due to increased costs and my unwillingness to wait another 10 years to get my money back.

[Bo Markham]

[What happened to the 1953-54 tooling? I thought those were produced.

Very good question. I've dropped Jim a note of inquiry. I'll let everyone know the answer when I get word. Ed had them remade years ago, but then stopped. As I recall, he said something about fitment, plating and cost vs demand? Which, as you've noted, is about what you mentioned enduring through your ordeal with the M-5 bumper guards.