'79 Headlight Trim Ring Gasket Installation Problem

[kmoses]

My '79 Spider did not have have headlight trim ring gaskets when I purchased the car. My new trim ring gaskets arrived Friday and I can not get them to fit! I know they should fit (snap) in the trim ring and then insert into the headlight bucket, but I see no way the can fit. The plastic is just too much bigger than the hole it should fit into. Does anyone have experience installing the molded plastic rings?

[bradartigue]

They probably will not fit. The headlight (plastic) trim gasket was introduced sometime in 1980 for the 1981 model year. The opening for cars with the gasket is slightly different, and the little tab at the bottom (on your 79) is aligned differently. I've made them fit on some 79/80 bodies but it's a real bitch.

[kmoses]

Thanks for the information, I thought that the trim ring upgrade took place with the '79. I guess I will be returning them.

[bradartigue]

Thanks for the information, I thought that the trim ring upgrade took place with the '79. I guess I will be returning them.

It may very well have. You're in a weird span of time with 79/80 cars, the "CS2," and I find little rhyme or reason to what parts fit which models.