smashed 328 drivers light

While walking past my car, I discovered a smashed lens on passenger side driving light. The turn signal is fine, but the clear fog lamp lens is gone. I called a few places that I deal with for parts and was horrified to find out that it's out of production and apparently used units are rare and commanding big bucks (maybe up to $1,000.00!). Surely I'm not the only dummy that this has happened to? Any suggestions as to how I can track down a replacement? I've already checked ebay to no avail.
Thanks!
John

 

Call Daniel---www.ricambiamerica.com

 

Nope.. not me.

Somebody got a GREAT deal on eBay a few days ago however...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-328-Fog-Turn-Driving-light-RARE-NIB-61809500_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33709QQihZ018QQitemZ280021038853QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW


I simply forgot to load my auction sniper on this one. It's worth $1k without question.

 

GT CAR PARTS 623-780-2200

 

I bought one of the last new OEM ones 4 years ago for my old 328 from Trutlands, cost about $450 then which I thought was pricy, they told me they were raising prices right after that for them. $1000 now wow.

Its not like you can just replace the lense as its glued in place and they don't sell the lense separately, funny on part in a bad spot that can easily crack with a random rock.

 

I could not agree more! To add insult to injury,finding one
may turn out to be harder than parting with the cash. Its hard to believe I have to park my pride and joy over a broken lens. B.T.W. the light was broken by a rock that fell from a construction vehicle on the parkway outside of Pittsburgh. I thought it went under the car and banged the skid plate. Damn PENDOT !!!

 

Reoriginals in Houston.....T Rutlands..Algar...Dennis McCann

Man, that's crazy!

Griot's has that clear film stuff, you'd better order some of that!

 

Try this guy. email . [email protected] . phone 480-968-0421 ask for Butch . Great deal on new parts too. He is one of the few used part guys that i trust.

 

Doesn't work since the surface has too much texture. Tried it after a rock chip on mine. It will go on, but looks bad.

 

Thanks for all of your sugestions. Ive followed up on all of them but have had no luck and even less encouragement. Some of the people I've talked to said they get calls constantly from guys looking for used driving light assemblies. Does anyone know what people with really rare F-cars do when they can't track down a glass part? Just curious. After all, I'm bound to find one eventualy-right?

 

I'd go stainless wire mesh then, like Baja dune buggies!

If NLA you'll have to use Unobtainium Supply..they make molds and blow new ones...not cheap. But it appears the cost of replacements is a workable budget..Fchatter, Verell, does it for the Dino guys.

You can't find a wreck anywhere???

 

I was thinking galaniized chicken wire. Anyway, I guess at the moment no one knows of a 328 being scrapped. I'm waiting to hear from someone who is going to check sources in Europe.

 

Thanks for the lead BTW. If all else fails I'll contact Verell.

 

If I ever need to make a few Ferrari payments, I know what to part with.

Gene

 

No kiddin'.....anytime bro..

It's a bad design, vertical face like that...I've hit serious road debris that deflects over the car by both hood or windshield, but facing straight forward with glass like that is asking for trouble..most likely why they are all gone!

We hear the story about "last one in the world, at the South African dealership"....we'll hold out hope!

 

I had a guy crush my left hand door with a GM fleet vehicle, once...paid off the whole car!
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One things for DAMN SURE. I'm gonna make Plexi-Glass covers before I take her out again.

 

Actually, they don't have it. I checked.

 

The glass is in the lense is fairly complex in its molding and thick, Verell specializes in plastic fabrication also, something like this would be pricy to replicate plus you'll need to cut out the glass lense and reseal/glue it back in place.

When I spoke to the various parts suppliers they said its very common for the lenses to crack from rock impacts but of course you are stuck buying the entire turn signal assembly, seems Ferrari would have made another run of these lights for the demand just like the elusive $1500 turn signal stalks that are NLA.

 

I have no solution to an already-broken lens but I just checked mine (1988) and the glass portion has a smooth surface and could probably be covered by some transparent film. The plastic amber upper portion has some textures and may not be as suitable. Although a film would not stop a large hunk of concrete from breaking it but it would probably protect against smaller stones, etc. What can you lose for a few bucks worth of film? (besides a 0.5 point deduction from the judges).

Robert

 

This thread is why I put the plastic film over my fog lights on my 87 328 GTS right after I bought it! www.griotsgarage.com carries it in appropriate sized sheets, just trim to fit. I have also done this on my current 355 spider headlights, fog lights, and bumper, hood, etc.

 

It took a whole lotta phone calls ,but I finally found a replacement light ( NIB from a place in Coral Gables Fla.). After that ordeal I know I should protect my $ 800.00+ investment. Is anyone aware of a hard plastic cover made to cover the entire assembly? Given the size of the stone that took out my lens I'm certain that a film-type product would not have prevented the breakage.

 

Go with the stainless mesh Baja covers, then ....

 

If PennDot doesn't quit fouling up every road around the city of Pittsburgh I may have to consider getting a Baha buggy just to get around. They have no reguard for fine automobiles.

 

I've put making the lens ass'y on my list. However, I need to buy or borrow mint or near mint condition one to make the molds from.

The clear glass could be reproduced in clear plastic but if the reason the OEM lens is glass is because of the heat from the driver's light bulb it would melt.

As to the older cars, it gets tough. I'm working with Bertocci on reproducing a rear lens from a 1-off ferrari he's restoring. The complete rear lens & housing was lost. He
had a metal beater make him a pattern that he then used to make male & female mold halves.

We're trying to figure out how to machine the prismatic lenslets on the inside of the lens.