Wayne Nowland Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 Hi all, Well the fear many of us have has occurred. Took the 2007 Avanti to work today and the taillight lens cracked and a piece is now missing. I am unhappily remembering reading that these lenses were completely custom, so I am really at a loss on how I’m going to resolve this. Especially frustrating since I am registered to go to the Meet at Gettysburg. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunslinger Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 Those of us with 2001-2004 Avanti's face the same problem. What Jim Baize of California did was find a plastics specialist who would take his faded lenses and use them to copy and make new lenses for his '03. He had to order a minimum of ten sets if I remember correctly before the vendor would undertake the order. It was quite expensive but Jim did it and is selling the extra sets to Avanti owners who might need them in the future. The 2005-2007 Avanti's require a different lens but you'll end up having to do the same thing...find a plastics specialist who can create a master mold and make new lenses for you. That's about the best advice I'm aware of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avanti83 Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 Hi all, Well the fear many of us have has occurred. Took the 2007 Avanti to work today and the taillight lens cracked and a piece is now missing. I am unhappily remembering reading that these lenses were completely custom, so I am really at a loss on how I'm going to resolve this. Especially frustrating since I am registered to go to the Meet at Gettysburg. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Wayne Wayne I seem to remember an article on a product that could be poured into a mold that was made from an original tail light and resulted in a clear red duplicate. I don't remember how large nor complex they could be made but it would not be difficult to produce a two piece mold from plaster of paris or catalyzed rubber and coated to provide smoothness. A google search may be informative. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Nowland Posted June 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 Thanks so much for the responses so far....are we sure the 01 through 04 are not the same as the 07? Of couse my luck I do not have the whole lens to make a mold, I spent the better part of the morning combing the roadside for the half I am missing to no avail!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunslinger Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 The rear lenses for the '01-''04 Avanti's are the same general shape as the '05-'07...the classic Avanti design to them...but they're dimensionally different. If you look at photos of each the difference is obvious. I remember some discussion some time back about the different ways to mold plastic. There was a fairly inexpensive method for small batches but the downside was lacked durability as they faded quickly. The more durable lenses required much more expensive equipment that was only economically feasible for large production runs. I'm guessing Avanti Motors used the former process since they didn't need many for a low production car, and that Jim Baize said his lenses faded in pretty short order. I think that discussion was on the Yahoo Avanti forum, not here. Maybe an under the radar recon to Cancun is in order to sneak around the former factory for leftover parts and molding equipment...get your ninja suit ready! Seriously...hope you find a way to replace your lens. You might try contacting John Hull, current President of the AOAI...he was involved with Avanti Motors in the upper management when still in Villa Rica. He may have some ideas on a course of action for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunslinger Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 Here's two factory photos of the tail light lenses from a GM based Avanti and a Ford based sample. The difference in lens dimensions is pretty obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Nowland Posted June 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 I see what you mean! Many thanks... Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bob Mac Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 I have a 2006 (mustang base) and still have my tail lights lens. I think the problem is. Incandescent bulbs run 850 degrees F . With 2 lights going and the inside trunk + noise / heat material inside the trunk to store the heat is causing the issue we(over heated and cracked the plastic) have. We have to get a way to switch to LED lamps that run a lot cooler. I have try to put in LED but things stop working like the flasher (turn and hazard). Looks like I need to replace the flasher with led compatible ones. I'll stop at the Ford dealer to see where they have the flasher installed. Not easy to locate. If you know please share. I'll let you know how it comes out. Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bob Mac Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Bad news the 2006-7 do NOT have flashers. Its all done by the Power Control Module (PCM). The LED lights need to have 6 ohm 50 watt resistor installed on them. Now to locate 4 resistors to see if it works. Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baize Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Hi all, Well the fear many of us have has occurred. Took the 2007 Avanti to work today and the taillight lens cracked and a piece is now missing. I am unhappily remembering reading that these lenses were completely custom, so I am really at a loss on how I’m going to resolve this. Especially frustrating since I am registered to go to the Meet at Gettysburg. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baize Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Well, I actually had a brand new, unused set of lenses, otherwise I would have been in bad shape. The lenses are glued to the body...there is no taking them out of the 01-04 without breaking them. Mine was destroyed by UV rays and heat. I am very glad I had the new set. I sent them to a car parts restored that specialized in lenses. They made a mold and then produced 10 sets. The cost was ridiculous, but my other choice was to use entirely different tail light assemblies with the help of a fiberglass many. Didn't want to do that. BTW, the portion of my hood scoop that "flew away" while on the freeway left an ugly, rusty (yes, rusty!) mess on my hood. I figured I would need to go see the glass man, finally, but then decided to sand down what remained and paint it flat black to match the trim, etc. It turned out nice and cost all of $5.00 for a can of paint! I then added a 5.7L badge. I will try to post pictures with this, in case it happens to someone else. Jim Baize Never mind. I can't attach the photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffgrohs Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Hope everyone has had a great Christmas and New Year! Anyway, between Wayne and I, we'll be providing 2 good lenses for new molds ( L & R). The plan will be to make enough lenses for our needs + a few more ( depending on pricing). If any current owners want to specifically order a backup set, please let us know. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bob Mac Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Hope everyone has had a great Christmas and New Year! Anyway, between Wayne and I, we'll be providing 2 good lenses for new molds ( L & R). The plan will be to make enough lenses for our needs + a few more ( depending on pricing). If any current owners want to specifically order a backup set, please let us know. Jeff Jeff, do you have a ball park on pricing? Thanks Bob Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffgrohs Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Bob, we're just sending in the lenses. Should have a firm price shortly. The estimate, without seeing the lens, was $400 to $500 each. Jeff Jeff, do you have a ball park on pricing? Thanks Bob Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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