Bad news - good news (sort of) The BAD - Yesterday I was driving to my buddy's house during rush hour. Moving ahead in traffic at 2 mph and then stopping for the car ahead (for the 30th time) in 5 min.) a tow truck just behind punched me in the rear end pushing me forward about 12". Totally bummed and looking in the rear view mirror to see who-what, still in jammed traffic, we both tried (I thought) to head to the curb to assess damage. Unfortunately for me, I was just passing a freeway on ramp to pull over when the tow truck ducked on to the ramp never to be seen again. The GOOD - To my amazement, only the right amber lens was broken. Granted it was a slow impact event. But, I cannot for the life of me figure out how that huge black Ford F-550 (I noticed him earlier in the pack as I had merged into traffic before he pulled in behind me) managed to only make contact with the lense in that way and not take out the red lens, some sheetmetal or - judging by the unblemished film of dust - even touch my (small) Euro bumper. I'm thinking I really dodged a bullet even thought the creep split. Now on to the internet to find a lens replacement (any suggestions?). What other models use this same lens, in case I can widen my search parameters? I'm guessing about $175 and 15 min of my time to install it is all I'm in for. Even the lamps still work!! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Call GT Car Parts in Phoenix unless your boycotting Az. They will probably have a good used one. 623-780-2200
THAT was a lucky break indeed! But what a slime ball - do you think it even remotely possible that he didn't know he actually made contact? Jedi
Unfortunately I occasionally have to deal with seedy tow truck companies, and believe me they are ALL seedy. I was investigating a loss in the Buffalo, NY area where a gas station camera has a video recording of a tow truck hitting a parked vehicle and then fleeing the scene. The tow truck markings were clearly visible in the video. It took a judge to get this tow company to pay up. No joke, the tow guys denied the video all day long. Quite the circus.
Closer to $400, you have the replace the entire assembly, housing and all....not just the lens But check with Ricambi...maybe $275.00 I'd have gotten the company name and hunted them down like the wild animals they are!!!
I hear you Bubba. It all came down within 30-45 sec and with my clutch leg, steering and shifting arms working overtime to creep to the curb, I had no time, or a free hand to write or even take a photo with my camera phone. Besides, my only view was of his grill the whole time. Totally helpless situation. In hindsight, I suppose I could have stopped and jumped out right there to confront him, disrespecting the mob of other traffic, but that's not my style as I hate it when other do that and make the congestion worse, especially over a minor damage issue.
Wow. This lens is shaping up to be double what I thought! I must have been in la-la land. So far - $325 (McCann) & $299 (Factory Ferrari Parts.com) Nothing is pressing on my end (events/drives wise). So, I'll probably search a bit more then take the jump later.
That really sucks...too bad you could'nt get the name of the tow company. Regarding the lens unfortunately you should buy a pair because they will not match unless you change both. If it's any help I recently purchased a pair from Eurospares for less than $400 for the pair.
Bob, Glad it wasn't much damage! Check with Verell too. I know he was thinking of making replacement lenses or entire assemblies but I don't know how far he got with it.
Maybe it's the Euro vs American, but I just looked at my 308 bumper & your pic & I'd say he pushed your bumper in some. If so, then the bumpershocks popped.
No, mine is a Euro - no shocks. I've had it off a few times in the past and that's how it looks normally. Besides, no dust was blemished (yes-I need to wash it this weekend) so I know it was not hit.
Eurospares shows this lens available at about $130 used and $189 new (plus shipping). So I may not be hit too bad on this whole thing. Have any of you had issues with purchasing items quoted in Pounds or Euros on line, with a Mastercard and getting soaked on conversion charges?
Hello Bob, I'm not making these lenses yet. Biggest problem is they are made up of multiple internal pieces as you can see in your photo. I figured I'd have to carefully cut up 3 or 4 lenses to get one set of mold patterns. However, if you're not too attached to your broken lens, send it to me. I'll even pay the shipping. From the picture, I might be able to get at least 2 of the mold patterns by carefully machining away the broken parts! Any chance you picked up that missing clear center disc? That might also be usable as a mold pattern! 'Gards, Verell
if anyone hits your Ferrari, the hell with the traffic behind you. get out and confront them. glad the damage was "minor" those amber lenses are very hard to find.
In LA, that's the sort of thing that can end up in a shooting - the guy who was rear ended happens to have a gun under the seat and chases the offender. They end up shooting at eachother.....and some innocent person gets hit.... It's really pretty horrible.
I replaced both, when only one was cracked, because that is the only way the appearance will match. A 25 year old lens will never lookl ike new no matter how well you refinish and clean. As far as using a credit card for a foreign currency is the best way to purchase. You will receive the bank exchange rate on that day for the transaction. With Eurospares just request that they send by Royal Mail rather than UPS Air, that will save you on shipping.
"the hell with the traffic behind you. get out and confront them" That looks good in a movie where it's fashionable (and harmless) to act like a badass; forget it in real life. That's what insurance is for.
that just happened here in orlando... http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-oviedo-road-rage-20100528,0,5963891.story
I just bought two of these exact lights from Superformance. They had the best price, even with the overseas shipping. They're exactly the same as OEM as far as I can tell, come in Ferrari boxes, and look perfect. I sold my old ones on Ebay for nearly what I paid for the new ones, seems to be a trend lately with parts I replace. Good luck, Jason Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I'm sorry to see this too, Bob. But you were extremely fortunate. Superformance, as Jason indicated, is a good source for the assembly. Barry
I did too. I tried to dishwash mine but they looked even worse. I replaced them with Ricambi parts, they were the cheapest (i thought), but that was without import taxes! So beware when you buy them abroad, you'll have to pay taxes! I once found lenses only, to glue on the original housing, but you don't wanna go there I guess. There's this tread on how to clean the inside of your lense with rice and the outside with Maguire Plastic cleaner... might come in handy when you replace the indicators, to clean your stop lights. Otherwise it shows....
