ConcoursMustang Forums
1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1964 1/2 - 1965 => Topic started by: C5ZZKGT on December 14, 2010, 08:28:57 AM
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Anyone have experiance with the "newer" "best on the market" $50.00 tail light bezels? as far as quality and appearance? are these "Ford Tooling" parts? I'm guessing they would be an improvement over the older cheapo reproduction ones...
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Anyone have experiance with the "newer" "best on the market" $50.00 tail light bezels? as far as quality and appearance? are these "Ford Tooling" parts? I'm guessing they would be an improvement over the older cheapo reproduction ones...
We handle these tail light bezels, and I think that they are very nice. Scott Drake Mustang has these made. The chrome and details look very good, and they fit way better than the cheaper imports.
I even replaced a set of NOS Ford ones on my own car with these after the chrome on the Ford ones started "crazing."
http://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/65-66-CHROME-TAIL-LIGHT-DOOR-BEZELS-MADE-IN-USA-SHOW-QUALITY-PAIR-P2097.aspx
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Brant, Thanks for the review and link on these bezels, I knew you had them and am very inclined to buy my car a set for Christmas based on your word alone since it seems to me that you care about quality and your customers-besides how can I go wrong in replacing the cheapo Chinese ones that are on my car now?-Rick
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Guys I ordered a set of these bezels yesterday from Brant along with some other small stuff (near the end of the day) and I already was sent a tracking number!! THANKS BRANT!!!
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Received the GREAT LOOKING bezels yesterday from VA Mustang (Brant) and I really must say that they are absolutely beutiful!! I see absolutely no problems with fit or finish whatsoever!
I was going to ask if these were Ford Tooling or Ford Licensed parts but found that they wern't acording to the packaging-I personally don't have any originals to compaire with but feel that these bezels are very nice quality and will look so much better on my restored '65 K GT Convertible than the dime-store imported ones on there now!
I also bought the stainless screws which will be better for me as I am in Florida.
I also bought a set of headlight retainer rings, screws, a lower radiator hose spring, and a Concours under-hood spec decal and all were expertly packaged and arrived just 2 days after placing the order!!
Thanks Again Brant & Company!!!!!
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UPDATE: Just installed the new bezels and what a difference they make!!
There was an older thread somewhere about these bezels in general in that someone reported seeing the Ford logo on the back of them-I wonder if they were refering to the Ford part number?
There IS a Ford part number on the back along with the "Scott Drake" name and they are marked with "top" as well so they can/will be installed correctly-again, REALLY NICE PIECES!! I am very satisfied with them as you can tell.
Just out of my curiosity what are most of you running on your cars? Originals/NOS? Imported reproduction? or the Concours Scott Drake reproduction??
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I only use NOS on show cars, but just a personal preference. It would be a very tough piece to re-chrome properly, due to the pebble surface and all the curves.
Good to know there is a decent reproduction, thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for the feedback! Like I mentioned, I am very happy that these bezels are available. I think that they are nicer and (in at least one case) hold up better/look nicer (chrome wise) than the NOS service parts. Like Charles mentioned, I too believe that it would be a very difficult part to have rechromed properly.
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Thanks for the feedback! Like I mentioned, I am very happy that these bezels are available. I think that they are nicer and (in at least one case) hold up better/look nicer (chrome wise) than the NOS service parts. Like Charles mentioned, I too believe that it would be a very difficult part to have rechromed properly.
Brant, You are most welcome for the feedback both on the parts and your service!!
It is always a pleasure doing business with you!!-Never a problem!
And I do agree that these bezels would be hard to rechrome correctly-I have no originals to start with either, so again, I am very satisfied with the quality and fit of these bezels, and will see how they hold up, which I don't feel will be a problem either considering the quality I'm seeing with the plating on them, and the 6 coats of wax I've got on them!!
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UPDATE: 7/20/2012: Even with all the care I have given these bezels along with the rest of my car which is kept in my garage the bezels have now started to pit, I must admit I thought they would last longer than this without pitting.
Certainly NO fault of Virginia Classic Mustang of course, just wanted everyone to know.
I wonder if S/D will replace them for me?
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I have advised Brant of this situation AND Emailed PAUL KERNER at Scott Drake to advise as well, Brant responded immediatly as usual (TOP NOTCH CUSTOMER SERVICE) and told me there was a big problem with Drake's Email and website which was evedentally fixed the next day, so Paul IS in receipt of my Email about the bezels.......anyone else using the Drake bezels? any pitting yet?
Brant mentioned that a pair of original/nos FORD bezels "crazed" on him which makes me leary of spending the big $$ on a set of those.......
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On the subject of Tail Light Bezels, did all bezels on 65-66 Mustangs have the black paint in between the holes? I have seen original bezels without the paint but the paint may have been worn off.
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On the subject of Tail Light Bezels, did all bezels on 65-66 Mustangs have the black paint in between the holes? I have seen original bezels without the paint but the paint may have been worn off.
Should have had black paint.
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it comes down to all the parts are the same no matter who's name is on it, for the bolt on trinkets
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it comes down to all the parts are the same no matter who's name is on it, for the bolt on trinkets
Sorry to disagree with this, but I have been able to compaire the Drake parts with the others and they are of much better quality, side-by-side compairisn, still disapointed with the Drake bezels though.....and with the comment that Brant made about the NOS FORD bezels "crazing" (whatever that is) may be I should just buy some of those fancy billet ones.....
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Does anyone know who made the bezels for Ford in 1965? IS there original tooling still around for them?
-The Drake bezels ARE a way better fitting and looking bezel than the chineese ones on the market for sure, may be Drake just needs to do a better job with the plating process, I don't think the originals pitted this quickly out on the streets in 1965......
-Bunch of folks reading this thread, I guess besides Brant and I we are the only ones to have bought and installed these bezels on our cars......
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If I remember right, there is something like a 'DC' casting on the originals, which I'm sure is no relation to Daniel Carpenter reproductions. Most likely something like "Dearborn Castings" or something like that. Ford sold these for a long time, the tooling must have been out there somewhere.
Although, I think you are right about the plating process, maybe that is the root of the problem.
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I have a pair of NOS bezels still in the Ford box's dated Dec. 10, 1999 ' ONE DOOR C5ZZ-1349-A '. Some of the cast info is; 2 7920 FoMOCo/oval another logo with the letters D C inside a larger W with the letter A Incorporated into the lower portion and a pair of lowercase c's. C4ZB-13449-B 2 TOP.
The ones on my car have the same info. The chrome on both sets, in my opinion, 1s show quality. These bezels have not received any special treatment or care. They live in the garage about 3 blocks from the ocean. Brian
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So, Brian, We're thinking that FORD (Original supplier) was still making these at the end of 1999?? Thats very cool news to hear!! Do they have the "DC" in the castings like Charles mentioned? (Charles, I realize that the ones Brian has are "service replacements"......wonder who REALLY made them??)
I also sit here wondering IF ANYONE would stoop so low as to have the FORD boxes reproduced and pack them with the cheap chineese units OF ANYTHING-not just the bezels.......
I also have to wonder WHY Drake's bezels are NOT a Ford Licensed product.....
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If I remember right, there is something like a 'DC' casting on the originals, which I'm sure is no relation to Daniel Carpenter reproductions. Most likely something like "Dearborn Castings" or something like that. Ford sold these for a long time, the tooling must have been out there somewhere.
Although, I think you are right about the plating process, maybe that is the root of the problem.
I really think so Charles. And you know for just a few more $$ Drake could have done a better plating job-(not in appearance mind you, but in the process itself-may be they skipped a step or 2) Based on whats happened to mine I would have been more than glad to have spent up to $75.00 instead of $50.00 for bezels that would have lasted perhaps 10 years in the elements before starting to pit.
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8/3/12: No reply from Paul @ Drake yet.
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-Got a reply from Paul @ Drake and he stated that I had pointed out that their bezels had lasted more than 4 times as long without pitting than the chineese junk ones, and that the climate where I live played a role in the pitting.
He DID say that DRAKE warranties parts that THEY make/chrome for 2 years and I could send them in for replacement or feild destroy them and send pictures......offered to do this direct, but I am choosing to send them to Brant at VA Mustang as thats where I bought them.........
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This website is interesting, gives some info about why chrome starts spotting and preservation tips:
http://www.redrivertriumphclub.org/chrome.htm
Would agree with Drake that your environment in FL has more humidity and salt air, which causes chrome to spot quicker. Out of curiosity, do you wash your car with soap/water?
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-Charles, I'll check out the site in your link, I really can't help where I live-lol, and NO washing so far, but it DID get wet last October at the Space Coast Mustang show with rain which I immediatly dried off.