License Plate Light

I am thinking of replacing the license plate light that came with my CMC kit.

I have observed the the price varies quite a bit for lights from various sources - Vintage, JPS, Klasse, etc.

Can anyone comment the differences, if any, in quality or authenticity?

Thanks.

I guess Vintage, JPS and most other builders use the Oriental knock-offs. The plating is shoddy. I'd buy a good quality piece (OEM if possible) from a vendor such as Klasse356.com or Mid America Motorworks. I had to re-plate the one in my VS.

Ricardo,

Thank you for your reply.

I think even the Porsche parts places sell reproductions. Maybe they are higher quality, though.

I am all too aware of the low quality plating. All of the chrome parts on my unfinished car have gone bad sitting in the garage. I am expecially unhappy about having to replace the windshield posts.

I am undecided between replating the old parts or buying new parts and having them plated.

After that I am thinking about using a clear coating like POR Glisten.

Michael, you indicated you were looking for comparison items: I'd stay away from cast pot metal. My CMC's was a pretty low-quality repro. No idea who made it if it was sourced from someone other than their company -- but it was rough. The glass looked like it was poured in three stages on a hillside during an earthquake ... by a guy using only his feet.

I bought my light from Stoddard Porsche hoping for better quality, but it is also a repro item. It has a wavy look to the top chrome surface (early shine down style). I would shop for the best price. It sounds like the quality is equally poor.

Same here . . . VERY wavy surface. I don't understand how they can sell something like it to "restorers" who care greatly about the quality of such things.

If that's the case then my suggestion would be to look on Ebay for the real deal or buy the replica for the lowest price, re-plate it and then install it. As Cory said, the CMC assembly is an inaccurate replica made of cast pot metal which will bubble up as it corrodes.