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Turn signal housing-photo?

Discussion in '308/328' started by PhilB, Jan 27, 2010.

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  1. PhilB

    PhilB Formula 3
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    #1 PhilB, Jan 27, 2010
    Not the sort of question/request that comes up here often, but does anyone have a photo of the 308 QV (or any 308 variant) front turn signal light housing, preferably a photo with the lens removed and the housing separated from the bumper.

    Background - I finished the engine service on my 84 308 before the holidays. With 6-8 weeks to go before the weather breaks here in the NE, I am doing a total and thorough cleaning/claying/waxing/detailing. In process, I noticed one of my turn signals appeared a little loose in the bumper. Upon investigation, it appears a tab on the side of the housing broke off. I then turned my focus to the other signal light, and found the same thing. I also found that one of the screw stalks that the lens screws into has a hairline fracture. Is it likely that these things become brittle with age? My car is pristine, and has never been involved in any altercations, so this is not impact related.

    Made some calls, these housing are NLA. I got responses from two of the US based parts suppliers that the only way to get them is to buy another 308. Begs the question, if you're involved in a front end mishap, how does the repair shop source replacement parts for these housings?

    I found one photo online of the housing, but for a 308GT4, which I think is slightly different from the 308 QV housing in that instead of having a mounting tab off the side that fits into a slot in the bumper, the GT4 has a rounded tab with a screw hole. But I'm not certain of this.

    Any thoughts/help appreciated,
    Phil
     
  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 BigTex, Jan 27, 2010
    The mounting tabs are missing entirely???

    I have some of the complete turn assemblies, as they turn up a lot at the salvage houses.

    Probably right embrittled with age although you could break one within the travel of the bumper shocks and leave no other damage.

    If they are NLA, it sounds like this is a job for Unobtainium Supply, our vendor for remolding replicate parts...

    Verell?
     
  3. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 BigTex, Jan 27, 2010
    Easy to spilt the screw stalk too, if you overtighten the screw thru the lens..of course that's kind of a J.B. Weld repair unless you are going for the ultimate in condition....

    I'll be back with some pics.....if I can get Lady Valeria out of bed, she's home with the flu...
     
  4. PhilB

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    #4 PhilB, Jan 27, 2010
    Thank you Tex. If you do take a photo, please take care to not harm your housings in the process.

    "I have some of the complete turn assemblies, as they turn up a lot at the salvage houses." Does this mean, you're have a set to swap for $$$?

    Rutlands and Ferr told me these are some of the first parts to go when they get a salvage. Get's me wondering/concerned what parts will/won't be available in another 5 or 10 years.

    Thanks,
    Phil
     
  5. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 BigTex, Jan 27, 2010
    LOL!

    I have some loose...I have some installed.....I have one smashed to bits still in place where I wrecked at Christmas, out shopping!!!

    Check eBay and let TRutlands know you are seriously looking, I agree that's why I have BOXES of stuff in my garage.

    Spare hood hanging on a nail, deals working on three front bumpers, and a clock..

    Yep, these cars are getting old and one day we'll have to pay SERIOUS money to roll them.

    I have:
    20405
    22127
    22641.....
     
  6. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 BigTex, Jan 27, 2010
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2010
    You'll have to order the Unobtainium Supply catalog he has done a LOT of work getting various molds ready...the advantage there is he is using modern materials, that are greatly improved from the OEM stuff!

    ReOriginals has the lenses only, I don't know if they can get the housing.....expensive ...
     
  7. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 BigTex, Jan 27, 2010
    carreaper has about 12 lenses in a box, in his garage!
     
  8. PhilB

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    #8 PhilB, Jan 27, 2010
    My lenses are fine, they are original to the car and are in great shape, that's why I attribute this to being age and possibly UV related brittle/fatigue related.

    It's almost too bad the issue isn't with the lenses, as there are multiple suppliers of the lenses, and at not totally crazy prices, given F-car status.

    I recall someone else posting a few months back that their rear lights had the center pop free from the rest of the light, evidently caused by the breakdown of the epoxy holding the clear part of the lens to the red part (or vice versa, I don't recall). So we'll probably see more of these type of issues in the coming years.

    Yikes!

    Phil
     
  9. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
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    #9 Verell, Jan 28, 2010
    I have a NOS pair of turn signals stashed away, as well as some very good condition housings.

    I haven't started reproducing the housings yet, primarily due to not being setup to fabricate the various metal pieces they require.

    Would there be interest if I were to supply the plastic housings & you'd transfer your bulb socket wiring & other metal pieces?
     
  10. PhilB

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    #10 PhilB, Jan 28, 2010
    Verell - PM sent.

    Phil
     
  11. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 BigTex, Jan 28, 2010
    Sure Verell, no reason the metal bits wouldn't transfer??

    I have loads of the tailight bulb brackets they NEVER wear out..

    Sorry for delay Phil, meeting late last night, and my camera operator is in bed with the flu!!
     
  12. PhilB

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    #12 PhilB, Jan 28, 2010
    Thanks Tex, no problem.
     
  13. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
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    #13 Verell, Jan 28, 2010
    I just went thru my photo archives. I have lots of lens photos, but not a single housing photo!

    Unfortunately, my housings are buried somewhere out in my detatched car shelter, so I can't readily dig them out & take pix.
     
  14. myfazzman1

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    #14 myfazzman1, Jan 29, 2010
    Hi guys

    From personal experience......The 308 GT4 housings are identical to Lancia Beta's....still available NOS fairly easily...at least here in Oz and Europe.....


    Bad news,the 308 GTB/S,2Vi cars and 308 QV cars are not the same as GT4(slightly bigger)but look very similar.....

    The lenses and housings are by Carello and were also used only on one other Italian car.....Lambo Countaches from LP400/S models onwards..... Would you believe it??? I have seen various Lambo parts places in the USA sell them new(NOS)for about $300USD a side or so....

    They do also turn up un UK Fleabay regularily....got mine there reasonably priced!!

    Hope this helps,

    Verell, if you were to remake them you'd have Lambo and Ferrari customers for them!!!!!

    Cheers

    Pete
     
  15. ME308

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    #15 ME308, Feb 4, 2010
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  16. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 BigTex, Feb 4, 2010
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    Thanks Micheal, can I have your old bumper???? :D :D :D

    It is interesting to me the North American bumpers bridge the top of the light, the Euros do not.
     
  17. ME308

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    #17 ME308, Feb 5, 2010
    sure, you can have it...

    personal pick up recommended :D

    unfortunately 40 pounds shipping costs more than the thing is worth ;)
     
  18. BigTex

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    #18 BigTex, Feb 11, 2010
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  19. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 BigTex, Feb 11, 2010
    I'd LOVE to come over!

    And actually they are worth good American dollars, if you need one.

    I'll pay for the shipping! :D :D
     
  20. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #20 BigTex, Feb 11, 2010
    It's cold here and even snowing up in north Texas....how about you?
     
  21. ME308

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    #21 ME308, Feb 12, 2010

    overhere it`s been heavy winter for 2 months now

    here`s a webcam view of the southern Munich area
    http://www.prolog.biz/webcam/


    no sign of "global warming" so far...
    probably that`s why the media is slowly changing the term to "climate change" ;)

    hijack off
     
  22. PhilB

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    #22 PhilB, Feb 12, 2010
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    I notice this on both photos....what/why was something cut off the housings?

    Any ideas? Did the factory modify these? Ironic that both have the same change.

    Just curious,
    Phil
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  23. PhilB

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    #23 PhilB, Feb 13, 2010
    I took a close look at this today, just because this is one of those nuances about the car that I find fascinating.

    I'll bet good money the lens housings were hacked this way at the factory. And just for US market (or "big bumper") 308s. Because the part that was cut off is a weep hole for presumably condensation removal. On a US bumper, this weep hole and surround would interfere with the top of the bumper. Euro bumpers have no top, so there are weep holes/surrounds both on top and bottom of the lens housings.

    In this manner, one single mold was used to fabricate the housings, and no additional tooling was required to deal with the big bumpers, they just took a small saw and pliers and "adjusted" them.

    More proof that the 308s were "hand made". :)

    Phil
     
  24. jth5610

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    #24 jth5610, Feb 14, 2010
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