Jakerx

hey everyone on my 944 i have that infamous center tail lens that fits between the main brake lights and says "PORSCHE." It's a little bent and i was wondering if it would be easy to uninstall. Because personally i think it would look better w/o it. But also, if it came down to me buying a replacement, where could i get it from and for how much? thanks

jake

aribop

Ebay normally has people that sell those.

Peckster

If you want one. It might use the mounting holds for the license bracket. Pull down the carpet and look side.

I think you're on the right track going without.

Jakerx

ya im definitely leaning towards uninstalling it. i think it takes away from the look of the car. when i get home i will pull the carpet back and look, but from what i can recall i don't remember seeing access to the outside brackets from the inside of the car. can anyone offer specifics? thanks

Dave

Good news and bad news...

The good news is that the ones that say "Porsche" have been out of production for a while (Tradename license issues) and if yours is still usable, it's worth something to someone. Try putting it on EBAY.

The bad news is, IIRC the panels required that 4 holes be drilled for installation that will need to be repaired, and also that holes be drilled in the bumper for the license plate bracket.

I am NOT a fan of these panels but removal may be more effort than it's worth, as above, pull back the carpet at the hatch and you should see how it's mounted. Hopefully I'm wrong about the holes.

IceShark

I've only seen one in person about 10 years ago. That one had 4 new holes drilled through the rear sheet metal for fasteners. I don't remember what they did for the wiring, probably ran them through the old license plate holes. And then 2 new holes drilled in the bumper for the license plate bracket.

So to uninstall you need to plug up all the extra holes in some fashion. I suppose the cheap way would be to stick in some plastic buttons. But to do it first class by welding up, bondo and paint respray - that could cost some money.

As far as the Porsche Trademark issue, Porsche went after the manufacturers some years ago and made them stop and the "Porsche" lens was no longer available. But I have seen them for sale in the last couple years. So either Porsche gave up chasing them, they and Porsche came up with a license agreement, or the manufacturers are moving around so fast that Porsche can't catch them.

Jakerx

thanks for all the info. but haha, i just got home 10 minutes ago and its 11:10. too tired to go out and work on it. tomorrow it is then. thanks

jeeper31

Jake,

I have the one you are talking about and funny enough mine is bent too. When I bought the car I needed to take it off and clean up the wires, It is connected by 4 screws so obviosly holes have been drilled.

If you still want to remove the tail lens and put your plate back there is a company called bumberplugs (www.bumperplugs.com) that makes rubber plugs to fit in the license plate holes. I have been speaking to Eric over there who says he has plugs up to 1/4 inch in guards red.

Good Luck. Let me know how it comes out.

jeeper31

Jake,

Just found the link for the tail lense.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2447495993

jeeper31

Here's another.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2447510479