question on rear lights

[toml]

Has anyone purchased new rear brake lights with the housings from Vicks or autoricambi?
The l one's on the car now have faded chrome and the original lights are dull.
I am just wondering if they look like the originals on my 1978 fiat spider 124.
Does the chrome look good and does the color of the new lens look like the color of the originals.
Is there anything I should watch out for.
Thanks
Tom

[vandor]

They look great, but the chrome on the plastic is extremely sensitive and can peel off if exposed to extreme weather, hard rubbing, etc.
Apparently some of the chemicals that were used in chroming plastics are now banned and the new process is not as good as the original. I called a few local chrome shops as well and they said that the plastic chroming they do is intended for interior use only, so it seems to be a worldwide phenomenon.

[aj81spider]

I have a set on my 74 that look like new versions of the originals. I'm out of town this week so can't post a picture.

I wasn't aware of the chrome issue. I haven't had a problem and the car is never out in extreme (any) weather - but I'll be conscious and careful of that now!

[toml]

Which place did you buy them from?
Thanks
Tom

[124JOE]

http://www.autoricambi.us

[aj81spider]

I bought them from AutoRicambi. Probably 25% of my car comes from them!

[basso]

Hi,
i was searching for good rear lights too and decide to go a different way
I do have a CS0 and the reflectors where blind ( it is not chrome it is alloy wich is applyed und vaccum on the Reflectors.
I bought an old rear light and cut of the reflectors ( a poor job) then send the reflectors to specialists wich are able to renew them.

i finally "glued" the reflectors in the case with an soldering iron ( it is ABS ) and the perfect temperature is 200°C.

i was just about to write it in my spider restauration ( fiat spider 2000, 1980) under restauration projects...

Basso