Formal rear bumper reflectors... Brand New.

[cantflip]

I picked the nicest car I could find for the picture... The reflectors in these bumpers are tough to find at all and sometimes don't survive removal attempts. I have been talking to @Zymurgy about the possibilities for a small batch of them... I believe I can provide the necessary lenses for making the mold.

The critical issue in this, is how many of us would be interested? They would be produced as a pair, so singles are not what we are offering... at least for now. By scaling the mold to produce multiples, the expense would be reduced. It's still not a cheap process and the materials are the majority of the expense... but I would like to see Mike get some funding for his equipment and utility expense. Nobody will be profiting, just car guys teaming up to keep Mike's project going and getting us some needed lenses.

I picked these to start with, because I believe them to be the most difficult to find and have seen a lot of for sale cars that are missing them. There is a possibility of other lenses as well. I have lots of mold cores, if I take them off my cars.

Right now the goal for the reflectors is to find homes for 10 pairs (cost projected would be $100ea pair), the more pairs the better the price could be (the mold ties up a lot of the $$). I'm not counting on finding more than 12 and if less than 10... the price may be a bit higher.

Who here wants to help keep Mike creating the unobtainium?

 

[75LandYacht]

I don't currently own one, but I do see one in my future. Put mt down for pair.. Since you guys seem to be jumping into entrepreneurship, any chance you'd be doing formal weatherstripping? Lol

 

[1978 NYB]

Sorry, I don't forsee needing any of those reflective lens ever again. I doubt the bumpers will ever come off my NYB ever again. The Imp/NY'er reverse light lens is the real PITA to replace!

I would be interested in 2 sets of Formal 4 door HT Roof rail seals if someone would make a viable repop.

 

[commando1]

I would be interested in 2 sets of Formal 4 door HT Roof rail seals if someone would make a viable repop

This roofrail weatherstrip situation annoys the crap out of me.
Restoration Specialties is ready to go on this immediately if he chooses to do so but he seems not interested.

 

[commando1]

 

[73 T&C]

Thank you cantflip!

Thanks for taking the initiative to turn our speculative desires into reality.

I’m definitely in for a pair sir!

Where do I send the Benny to?

I actually found my missing right side one in the trunk but one of the pop on tangs was broken The edge was of the lens is also cracked and is missing some of it.

I can see from the original design that this is a fragile part.

What we also really really need are the clear fender mounted fronts turn signals.

Any chance we can get those too?? I’m in for another Benny for a pair of those!!!

 

[1978 NYB]

Thank you cantflip!

Thanks for taking the initiative to turn our speculative desires into reality.

I’m definitely in for a pair sir!

Where do I send the Benny to?

I actually found my missing right side one in the trunk but one of the pop on tangs was broken The edge was of the lens is also cracked and is missing some of it.

I can see from the original design that this is a fragile part.

What we also really really need are the clear fender mounted fronts turn signals.

Any chance we can get those too?? I’m in for another Benny for a pair of those!!!

Arizonaparts.com has NOS front signal lens. Chrysler and Imperial models.

 

[cantflip]

I don't currently own one, but I do see one in my future. Put mt down for pair.. Since you guys seem to be jumping into entrepreneurship, any chance you'd be doing formal weatherstripping? Lol

No entrepreneurial crap going on here. If anyone has followed Zymurgy's 66 tail light thread, it's easy to see he has invested plenty into his "hobby". I won't speak for the man, but he doesn't own a Formal... so my request that he consider helping us with these more or less would give him materials to continue what he's doing.

But, if he ever finds a way to enter production and profit. My full support would be behind him.

Now if he ever gets fancy ideas about weatherstrips... I do know a guy... but you'd be bummed to find they're for 4 doors.

Sorry, I don't forsee needing any of those reflective lens ever again. I doubt the bumpers will ever come off my NYB ever again. The Imp/NY'er reverse light lens is the real PITA to replace!

I would be interested in 2 sets of Formal 4 door HT Roof rail seals if someone would make a viable repop.

Wow post #2 got us onto weatherstrips... Dang John, thanks alot

Bob... I'd be saving my lunch money to buy three sets just to start. Personally, i'm glad you don't need the reflectors... you've done so much to her already.

This roofrail weatherstrip situation annoys the crap out of me.
Restoration Specialties is ready to go on this immediately if he chooses to do so but he seems not interested.

We know you tried IDK how many units it would take for them to break even, but I bet we could get them there if they were willing.

View attachment 174852

That is plan "B" provided plan "A" gets off the ground. I made the decision to try the reflectors first based on how many I've seen missing and the fact that they are smaller and cheaper to produce. I'd be willing to help out with a mold sample if somebody was motivated enough to pay for the mold, otherwise they are the next lens on my list to approach. I'd expect a higher cost and lower demand for them.

Thank you cantflip!

Thanks for taking the initiative to turn our speculative desires into reality.

I’m definitely in for a pair sir!

Where do I send the Benny to?

I actually found my missing right side one in the trunk but one of the pop on tangs was broken The edge was of the lens is also cracked and is missing some of it.

I can see from the original design that this is a fragile part.

What we also really really need are the clear fender mounted fronts turn signals.

Any chance we can get those too?? I’m in for another Benny for a pair of those!!!

Hold your $$ for the moment, we need to get the group together first. The number of folks who buy in are going to share the cost of the mold... more contributors will mean better pricing. I'll pay the same as everyone else, I just want to see these made available.

Let us know if you have other lenses that you need, there are still NOS available for most of them... the method Zymurgy uses is good for small runs and prototypes, but until they become unavailable, it probably will cost too much... especially if the inner lens was needed too.

If the price is too crazy, let me know... I'll check the stash. The one's with eagles are jealously guarded finds... I have some NYB's too. BTW... Benny may be cheap for a pair... dig around, if you're patient fair priced ones float to surface once in a great while.

 

[Big_John]

Benny may be cheap for a pair.

One repop tail light for my Barracuda sells for $105 at Classic. $100 for a pair that nobody makes is right in the ballpark.

 

[cantflip]

So far the list is cantflip, 75LandYacht and 73T&C...
Time for a little telemarketing...
@imperialman
@Robert Saigh
@Caper
@Finn Yorker
@Bruce311
@Payton Mitchell
@Fast Eddie B
@NYB Lover
@nalambright
@Pete Kaczmarski
@QMopar
@streetmachine
@tunaboat75
@SuicideDoorLincoln
@march
@78Brougham

 

[cantflip]

One repop tail light for my Barracuda sells for $105 at Classic. $100 for a pair that nobody makes is right in the ballpark.

For whatever reason the NYB TS lenses are harder to find than the Imperial lenses. The difference is the eagle. I have watched them for a while, and they seem to want a bunch more $ if they have any.

 

[commando1]

Before I gave my RR seals to Restoration Specialties, I persued it on my own.
Soft Seal took my seals and quoted me 15k for the tooling. That meant 50 orders at $300/set to just pay for the tooling. Plus there was the manufacturing cost.
I couldn't take the risk.

 

[cantflip]

Before I gave my RR seals to Restoration Specialties, I persued it on my own.
Soft Seal took my seals and quoted me 15k for the tooling. That meant 50 orders at $300/set to just pay for the tooling. Plus there was the manufacturing cost.
I couldn't take the risk.

I understand completely. That racket really stinks if you sucker in, they keep the tooling so if you get a chance to do it elsewhere you have to pay for tooling again. I bet you'd have a hard time getting 50 takers.

 

[1978 NYB]

Before I gave my RR seals to Restoration Specialties, I persued it on my own.
Soft Seal took my seals and quoted me 15k for the tooling. That meant 50 orders at $300/set to just pay for the tooling. Plus there was the manufacturing cost.
I couldn't take the risk.

Thanks for your efforts Stan.

Like I said I would be in for 2 sets right off the bat.

I think if we had a way to mass contact Formal owners....50 sets would sell on day 1 alone.

 

[1978 NYB]

I would say one...maybe two out every ten Formal's have good roof rail seals.

 

[1978 NYB]

Arizonaparts.com has NOS front signal lens. Chrysler and Imperial models.

The Imperial lens are cheaper in cost and cooler because they have the Imperial eagle medallions on them. No one would know the difference except you, me, Stan, and now Jeff. LOL.

Other Formal experts like Mr, C and Pete would pick up on it in a second. There are other Formal experts on FCBO too so don't feel slighted if I didn't have your name posted.

 

[cantflip]

I would say one...maybe two out every ten Formal's have good roof rail seals.

Less... I'd guess that if they were available they'd get changed out every decade or so by the owners who wanted to cure wind noise and water drips... but I'm sure it would still be a slow return. I'd want 3 right off and then a couple of spares because I doubt they'd stay in production for very long... but I see a lot of weatherstrip available that I can't believe sells better.

 

[1978 NYB]

Less... I'd guess that if they were available they'd get changed out every decade or so by the owners who wanted to cure wind noise and water drips... but I'm sure it would still be a slow return. I'd want 3 right off and then a couple of spares because I doubt they'd stay in production for very long... but I see a lot of weatherstrip available that I can't believe sells better.

The roof rail seals are quite intricate and are different for right and left.

 

[Finn Yorker]

Thanks for the offer but our reflectors are fine. Otherwise a great idea to make repro parts.

Before I gave my RR seals to Restoration Specialties, I persued it on my own.
Soft Seal took my seals and quoted me 15k for the tooling. That meant 50 orders at $300/set to just pay for the tooling. Plus there was the manufacturing cost.
I couldn't take the risk.

I would also need a new set of RR seals

 

[commando1]

Door courtesy lamp lenses
As brittle as a 78 wiper bushing.
How many of you are limping along on 3 tabs on each lens?