Hello,
The first project for my new 951 was to remove the rear aftermarket reflector and reposition the license plate to the stock position. So of course a semmingly easy fix took me a few hours of frustration. The reflector came off okay and I then shockingly discovered four massive 1/2 holes that were drilled to secure the stupid thing. Next the license plate bracket fasteners were severly rusted and I had to break out the grinder and remove the tops of the screws.
I found some nylon hole plugs and covered the holes and repositioned the bracket. Question, how bad does this look? should I take it to my local paint shop and have it repaired right or does this look okay?

scott

 

I would seriously consider a repair. I always think it looks bad seeing that on the backs of 944's.

 

get it repaired

 

Scott, I hate to tell you but it does look bad. You have an option though before forking out the $'s for the body repair. Put a euro plate off ebay or wherever on there and hopefully it will cover the plugs. Mount your US plate on top. It wouldn't be the first time I have seen something like that. I just always thought that maybe they were proud of their european delivery and kept their plates. I guess that now I may think something else

Regardless of what you do make sure that those holes are prepped correctly to prevent any rust/moisture from getting in there.

Did I mention that I love that color?

Michael

 

still looks better than the reflector that was there.

give body colored plugs a shot first if you want to look a less costly alternative.

 

Thanks for the input. It does does look better than the reflector, I think I'll try the euro plate option--great idea!

--scott

 

you can also trim a touch off the tops and bottoms of the plate, make to holes a bit oblonged and shift the US plate up 1/2 inch. makes it look like the plate fits into the car like the euro plates do.

 

yeah i second azmi951's idea. i have a euro plate in front..

 

I don't know if you've thought of this or not. You could go to a sheet metal shop and have them fabricate a piece the same size as the reflector. It would probably look best with rolled edges. Have them weld on some threaded anchors where the holes in your car are.

Go to an auto body supply house and buy the correct paint and paint it yourself in the garage or have one of the guys at a body shop do it in their spare time.

Install it flush with the outside of the lenses. I think it would give the car a much more modern look as well as handle your problem and for a lot less.

 

That is a very interesting idea...has anybody seen this done? May give a 968 type look...

 

Eyal -
This is just for you:




I had no choice when I got my car - the previous owner had it installed. I didn't really like it at first, but now, I don't even notice it there.

But it does help for the track - given the number of guard's red 944's out there, anything to distinguish your car is good, especially if someone comes into the pits to complain about a red 944 that's mis-behaving. Not that I would ever mis-behave...

-Z.

 

That will look not too different from painting the reflector panel that was there.

But it's a good idea. I would see if they can just mount it inset like the factory has done and mount the license plate in the factory position (a little up to be even with the tailights) so that it looks "better than factory"

Plus you'll retain the usage of the license plate bulbs.

 

Is the reflector surface smooth? if so just paint it to match the body.

 

I 'll buy the reflector from you pm me with a price.

Check this out, this is ugly

 

You can have the reflector for free, I'll have to dig it out of the trash though. Where do you live?

--scott