sfierle

I have one of those non-factory reflector panels (not sure that is the proper name) between my taillights on my 951. It is red plastic and says "porsche". I am not super fond of it, and would like it gone. Before I take apart my car, does anyone know how it is attached. Were holes drilled in the car to install it? If so, will my license plate cover them? I can live with it, if I have to.

It is winter and cold outside, and I figured I would ask here before going in the garage. Thanks.

onspeed

Pull the carpet in the trunk, you'll probably find it was drilled.

BeerBurner

My understanding is that they are usually drilled. I'm not sure about where the holes are but, like onspeed suggested, if you pull the carpet you'll probably find out.

BB.

Butters944

Where's that old thread where the guy covered up the drill holes with girly silhouette stickers?

dgwinup

Yes, there are holes for mounting it. 4 of them. The panel is strictly an after-market part. If it has lights inside, there may be a 5th hole. Most installations I've seen, the wiring is passed through the license plate frame mounting hole.

No, the license plate assembly won't cover the holes.

If the holes were drilled carefully, you might be able to install blind grommets in them to prevent water from entering through the holes. True fix would be to have the holes welded shut and refinish the paint.

Then sell the panel. People pay good money for them, especially the lighted ones.

Or you could learn to love it.

Darrell

Dougs951

I put some plugs in the holes left from mine. They were actually the plugs from the tow hook bolts.

Butters944

Learn to love it. Live with it for a while and you will love it.

Grandpa#3

Hook the panel lights up to the brakes. The more red lights in back the better for those idiots who tail gate you.

Cheers,
Larry

Will Feather

Yeah those panels are fugly as hell and usually faded.

They drill 4 good size holes, maybe 5/16. Too far for the license plate to cover it. I just used plastic push pins (commonly used to hold on wheel well liners ect) and all is good.

sfierle

Thanks for all the input. My panel is the non-lighted kind, and it is in very good shape. I guess I will leave it on, I really don't want holes showing. I will see if I can "learn to love it". I don't hate it, I just like the cleaner look without it.

Cole

Well, not quite right.

But....


When I boght my car it had that rear reflector on it (and red bumper pads)




When I pulled the reflector off. (Mounted with 4 holes drilled through the real panel). I found that the car had "mudflap" girls on either side of the plate..UNDER THE PAINT!!



Fortunately the holes are easy to fill in and repaint that rectangular area without it looking obviously repainted. depending on the car color you could probably paint the center section black and it would look pretty cool

The back of the car now.

Butters944

You're what I was thinking of!!!

dgwinup

I think the back end looks cleaner WITH the panel. Smooth surface from one side of the car to the other.

If you're ambitious, you could add lights to the panel. Right now, mine is connected to the parking lights but I'm thinking or re-wiring it to the brake lights like Grandpa#3 said.

Just my 2 cents worth!

Darrell

Will Feather

The problem with all those panels is that the tint of the panel never matches the taillights so it just does not look good.

IMO

Cole

FWIW, I didn't mind my rear reflector panel. It was lighted. I removed it for 3 reasons.

1. It is a surprisingly heavy part and I wanted to run a much lighter car.

2. It had warped over time and didn't fit totally flush.

3. Didn't like the "busy" look with the "Hey look at my PORSCHE!" lettering on it.