Tail Light Concepts
02-18-2003, 09:27 PM
#31
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I think most of us are all on the same page as far as updating the OB look.
I like a few of the suggested pix, but IMHO, the S4 look doesn't work on the OB's. I think it gives it a "sleepy" look. The original tail lenses of the OB's are nice, but too small. If you look at most (90%) of the exotics out there, you will find seperate lenses, mostly round. As I stated in the previous thread, the Lambo's latest beast has similiar lenses to the 928 OB's.
I think using the S4 look doesn't give the OB an exotic feel. Besides, with the S4 lenses, the entire assembly (bulb reflector unit) needs to be swapped out. More cost, more work which means removing the whole rear bumper clip.
Maybe one of you guys with photo shop can take the original 4 section OB lense and enlarge it to cover the indentation. Get rid of the black outlining and just have the 4 lenses meet each other in a seamless way. Remember, if you look closely at the OB lense, all 4 sections are different with different reflective patterns.
If I have the time, I will try to do a mock up in a photo program myself. I firmly believe that this can be achieved inexpensively and still maintain the "Euro Exotic" look.
In maintining continuity in design, look at the shape of the 928...there is nothing really round about it's lines and nothing really square either. It is a combination of both, kind of like a square/rectangle with rounded edges and corners. All sweeping lines. I think this needs to be represented with it's lighting.
Anyway, I think we are on the right track.
Keith Widom
SOCAL 928
I like a few of the suggested pix, but IMHO, the S4 look doesn't work on the OB's. I think it gives it a "sleepy" look. The original tail lenses of the OB's are nice, but too small. If you look at most (90%) of the exotics out there, you will find seperate lenses, mostly round. As I stated in the previous thread, the Lambo's latest beast has similiar lenses to the 928 OB's.
I think using the S4 look doesn't give the OB an exotic feel. Besides, with the S4 lenses, the entire assembly (bulb reflector unit) needs to be swapped out. More cost, more work which means removing the whole rear bumper clip.
Maybe one of you guys with photo shop can take the original 4 section OB lense and enlarge it to cover the indentation. Get rid of the black outlining and just have the 4 lenses meet each other in a seamless way. Remember, if you look closely at the OB lense, all 4 sections are different with different reflective patterns.
If I have the time, I will try to do a mock up in a photo program myself. I firmly believe that this can be achieved inexpensively and still maintain the "Euro Exotic" look.
In maintining continuity in design, look at the shape of the 928...there is nothing really round about it's lines and nothing really square either. It is a combination of both, kind of like a square/rectangle with rounded edges and corners. All sweeping lines. I think this needs to be represented with it's lighting.
Anyway, I think we are on the right track.
Keith Widom
SOCAL 928
02-18-2003, 09:37 PM
#32
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fletch - I agree, the S4's look fine
Last edited by PorKen; 08-11-2003 at 03:41 AM.
02-18-2003, 11:28 PM
#33
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Chucker -
Last edited by PorKen; 08-11-2003 at 03:41 AM.
02-19-2003, 02:53 AM
#34
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Max (293) made these pics, they are posted for him at his request.
Last edited by PorKen; 08-11-2003 at 03:41 AM.
02-19-2003, 07:50 AM
#37
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I insist. The S4 taillights could use some update in the way you are suggesting for the previous models. The shape is correct but would look better getting rid of those orange repeaters and using a frosted white for instance. In the US maybe orange repeaters are "exotic" but in Europe have been out of use for years and look very dated. My two cents.
02-19-2003, 09:33 AM
#38
Instructor
I did a little poking around last night and came up with this company <a href="http://www.racerdesign.com/" target="_blank">http://www.racerdesign.com/</a> They produce aftermarket tail lights for many makes and models. Some company like this may be our best bet of getting something accomplished. After having some long discussions with an engineer friend last night we think it would just be too expensive to produce something in your garage and try to sell it. Not to mention reliability becomes an issue as well.
My day is pretty filled up with meetings. If someone could give that place above a call and see about feasability. Otherwise I will call later this afternoon if no one else has. At the very least they may be able to get us a lead to another shop that can do a project like this for us.
Cheers
My day is pretty filled up with meetings. If someone could give that place above a call and see about feasability. Otherwise I will call later this afternoon if no one else has. At the very least they may be able to get us a lead to another shop that can do a project like this for us.
Cheers
02-19-2003, 11:14 AM
#39
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PorKen, thanks now I understand! Somewhere in my brain I was picturing the white top as the reverse and the bottom red as turn/brake. Like some US cars have. But I like the way that you have explained it. <img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" />
02-19-2003, 01:55 PM
#40
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Normy/928ntslow - I will work on a pic later today (I have to work sometime 
<img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" /> ).
vicente - I agree, if someone made the S4 lights with a frosted white or grey band on the top instead of the orange/clear, it would make them look like a 2004 model.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" /> ).vicente - I agree, if someone made the S4 lights with a frosted white or grey band on the top instead of the orange/clear, it would make them look like a 2004 model.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
02-19-2003, 02:10 PM
#41
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I don't think anyone is listening to us Normy. I made the same request a couple of times already.
I actually spent sometime last night trying the mod on a photo program I have at home. Because of the shape of the actual OB lense, it needs to be stretched in certain areas to fit the full indentation to become flush...my program doesn't do that. I figured the guys that work with photo shop can whip it out quicker anyway....oh well.
As for PorKen's images, thanks for the extra curricular work...some nice ideas. I STILL gravitate to the original OB lenses, just larger. The one photo (bottom center) of the 3 round lights looks best to me...exotic and matches the car IMHO.
Lovin this thread though. I know bcdavis and I have discussed this topic a while back on the SOCAL board. Glad to see it has come up again in a larger forum!
Keith Widom
SOCAL 928
I actually spent sometime last night trying the mod on a photo program I have at home. Because of the shape of the actual OB lense, it needs to be stretched in certain areas to fit the full indentation to become flush...my program doesn't do that. I figured the guys that work with photo shop can whip it out quicker anyway....oh well.
As for PorKen's images, thanks for the extra curricular work...some nice ideas. I STILL gravitate to the original OB lenses, just larger. The one photo (bottom center) of the 3 round lights looks best to me...exotic and matches the car IMHO.
Lovin this thread though. I know bcdavis and I have discussed this topic a while back on the SOCAL board. Glad to see it has come up again in a larger forum!
Keith Widom
SOCAL 928
02-19-2003, 02:10 PM
#42
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I don't think anyone is listening to us Normy. I made the same request a couple of times already.
I actually spent sometime last night trying the mod on a photo program I have at home. Because of the shape of the actual OB lense, it needs to be stretched in certain areas to fit the full indentation to become flush...my program doesn't do that. I figured the guys that work with photo shop can whip it out quicker anyway....oh well.
As for PorKen's images, thanks for the extra curricular work...some nice ideas. I STILL gravitate to the original OB lenses, just larger. The one photo (bottom center) of the 3 round lights looks best to me...exotic and matches the car IMHO.
Lovin this thread though. I know bcdavis and I have discussed this topic a while back on the SOCAL board. Glad to see it has come up again in a larger forum!
Keith Widom
SOCAL 928
I actually spent sometime last night trying the mod on a photo program I have at home. Because of the shape of the actual OB lense, it needs to be stretched in certain areas to fit the full indentation to become flush...my program doesn't do that. I figured the guys that work with photo shop can whip it out quicker anyway....oh well.
As for PorKen's images, thanks for the extra curricular work...some nice ideas. I STILL gravitate to the original OB lenses, just larger. The one photo (bottom center) of the 3 round lights looks best to me...exotic and matches the car IMHO.
Lovin this thread though. I know bcdavis and I have discussed this topic a while back on the SOCAL board. Glad to see it has come up again in a larger forum!
Keith Widom
SOCAL 928
02-19-2003, 02:22 PM
#43
928 Engine Re-Re-Rebuild Specialist
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How about something like this?
<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/bigdave/Quaz2.jpg" alt=" - " />
It could be made of heat-shapeable plexiglass (black colored background or other color) with LEDs. It would take some wiring to join the LEDs for each of the 4 sections, but they could be plugged into the existing housing. The new cover could use the same screws as the existing tail light cover or longer ones if you wanted that flush look.
It's just something I thought of while viewing this thread.
<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/bigdave/Quaz2.jpg" alt=" - " />
It could be made of heat-shapeable plexiglass (black colored background or other color) with LEDs. It would take some wiring to join the LEDs for each of the 4 sections, but they could be plugged into the existing housing. The new cover could use the same screws as the existing tail light cover or longer ones if you wanted that flush look.
It's just something I thought of while viewing this thread.
02-19-2003, 03:44 PM
#44
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We deal with an off-shore supplier for our jageng.com shifters.
We discussed taillights with them last year. As far as I understood, the molds for the Hondas are floating around China/Hong Kong, and potential market is total 100's of thousands of cars with such makes.
The 928 market is maybe a few thousand sales, over a period of five years. With no molds, up front costs are likely to dissuade anyone.
We discussed taillights with them last year. As far as I understood, the molds for the Hondas are floating around China/Hong Kong, and potential market is total 100's of thousands of cars with such makes.
The 928 market is maybe a few thousand sales, over a period of five years. With no molds, up front costs are likely to dissuade anyone.
02-19-2003, 04:12 PM
#45
Instructor
What would be required to build a mold? CAD drawings? What does a mold cost? I know there are some relatively low cost ways to build molds.
There must be a way to do it because I have seen some custom tail lights for around $300 for some much lower production vehicles than the 928. If you look at the overall world wide sales of the early 928s from 78-86 you actually have a pretty decent market (about 40K cars).
I am not arguing that this may be a little pricey up front, but I think we owe it to ourselves to at least to due diligence.
There must be a way to do it because I have seen some custom tail lights for around $300 for some much lower production vehicles than the 928. If you look at the overall world wide sales of the early 928s from 78-86 you actually have a pretty decent market (about 40K cars).
I am not arguing that this may be a little pricey up front, but I think we owe it to ourselves to at least to due diligence.