fabricating a small rear light panel of sorts??

ok im probably gonna get slated for this but here goes…. is there any reason why i can't
1, remove my large rear light clusters
2, have a thin piece of metal cut slightly longer than the existing piece
(where the number plate goes) and obviously shaped correctly at each end to accomadate small lights
3, fix it over the top of the existing piece with some adhesive or some sort or self tapping screws (hidden obviously) or better still welded
4, the only bodywork to do as such would be the bottom edge of this panel to fill in and smooth and maybe some of the top, although most of it gets covered by the number plate lights,
5, repaint this section???
6, stand back admire and reach for the kleenex
i hope this make sense?
 in effect all you are doing is adding a skin on top of the existing between the inner edges of both rear lights…
PS I KNOW SOME MAY SAY WHY NOT JUST BUY AND WELD ON A SMALL REAR PANEL, BUT THIS WAY SEEMS CHEAPER AND LESS PAINT INTENSIVE, AND I WOULD BE TACKLING IT MYSELF

NOW LET THE SLATING BEGIN!!

Because you would have to cut out the complete centre section too if you want it to look as per original - look carefully at the swage lines, they are not in exactly the same place. As you are butchering your car anyway, this might not bother you.

Your car your choice mate, just make sure you've done ALL your homework before you start.

As for how you're going to do it you really ought to weld it, don't see screwing it as an option, that would just be terrible. Ultimately to be honest people have done much worse and always will, personal choice is to be applauded! However it all depends on how professional the finish is, if you botch it then you're in a world of hurt. Personally I'd be very weary.

Your call!

T

surely the only line that would change is the one at the bottom of the said panel where it angles itself back out, but the only difference is the depth of the material that will go on isnt it once its smoothed back in??
and im not exactly interested in butchering it as you so politely put it hence why im asking if its possible before i attempt it

tian,

cheers mate,
 tbh im not one for modding cars atall, if i had the money i would do the job properly or better still buy a series 1, i just had this crazy idea while driving home and thought i would throw it out there for debate,
im sure the way i worded it by mentioning screws and the such like didnt sound great, but if i were to attempt the job it would be in the correct manor
thanks again

Did you no in the early 80's that a swop to 'Larger lights' from small was a popular update to make your MK1 more modern     :mrgreen:

Now its the other way round .

Good luck with it .

chudd said

Did you no in the early 80's that a swop to 'Larger lights' from small was a popular update to make your MK1 more modern     :mrgreen:

Now its the other way round .

Good luck with it .

Funny old world.

T  

bit like this one?





if i remember rightly its rear panel is formed from sheet steel and cut down series 2 lights 2…

Ive been thinking of doing this mod myself.Just weld a plate the right size in the original hole to shorten it.Quick skim of catty and paint and itll look great.Wont be a Swallow tail but you can fit the small lights.I wouldnt do it the other way and have a large piece in the middle as itll be hard to secure it and make it look good,hard to catty in the top line also.Plus itd be more work to hide it from the inside.Welding small plates in the holes will be un noticible once you have skimmed it.Only thing that was holding me back was the fact i just bought some red and smoked lights,fairly expensive so i didnt want to go and buy new cabby lights to fit.

littlelegs said

surely the only line that would change is the one at the bottom of the said panel where it angles itself back out, but the only difference is the depth of the material that will go on isnt it once its smoothed back in??
and im not exactly interested in butchering it as you so politely put it hence why im asking if its possible before i attempt it

Why don't you take a tape measure to both panels if you want it to look original? As the above pic shows, the swage line is incorrect. The bottom of the lights is supposed to be ABOVE the swage line, not parallel to it.

If your lucky enough to find a rotten series 1 with a good rear panel getting cut up this is the best way to do it.

check out a comparison of the two panels, they are completely different! I've been thinking of doing this myself but; I'm pretty sure the small lights arent as tall so new plates would have to be welded underneath, and the most tell tale sign, is the sloping corner from the number plate edge of the small lights which does not exist on a series 2. It's possible but its alot more fabrication (to get an authentic look) than you're suggesting.

(It's possible but its alot more fabrication (to get an authentic look) thanu're suggesting.)

hey dan, nice work with the photos mate i see the problem clearly now,
i had assumed the lights were the same height on both series 1+2,

i suppose the the only quick fix way would be like the one in lawsy's pic, which looks ok, but like dubboy says is clearly not original looking,

thanks for all info though everyone  
im off into town now to sell my arse for new metal