1970-1973 Turn Signal Housings - Variants/Differences

[Aircool]

Can anyone tell me what variants there were in the turn signal housings from 1970-1973? I restored my dad's 1970 T many years ago and it had cast housings (magnesium? Please correct me if I am wrong.) My 1973 has plastic housings. Wondering when the change was made. Anyone have a source for having the insides re-plated?

Thanks much,

Steve

[edmayo]

I've never seen plastic ones?? Silver/chrome aerosol paint works very well.

[LiveFromNY]

I've never seen plastic ones??

Neither have I, except for the cheap aftermarket replacements.

[reed]

The housings are just cheap pot metal, not magnesium.

[gled49]

We were doing a resto on RS and ordered new euro front and rear turn housing from Porsche, the left front was plastic, and the fit was horrible, our parts guy got us a correct one in pot metal but it didn't have the original part number. Gled

[Aircool]

I found the same thing. The current offerings are horrible. Bought what was advertised as OEM units for the front and they were plastic and the quality was nowhere near the original. I am going to try and restore my original ones.

[Aircool]

I got both front assemblies out. They are pot metal and not plastic after all. When I removed the lenses initially they honestly looked like they were plastic inside. Silver reflective coating was worn off and there is a dull white underneath that. Not sure if it is a base coat for the silver but they appeared to be plastic at first glance. They are in good condition other than the plating and are original with the original markings. I now need to find someone who can re-plate the inside. Anyone have a source and any knowledge as to what the were originally plated with?

[mobius911]

I think everyone is just painting with aerosol spray paint, white followed by chrome. If you hunt around there is a specific thread on it here.

[fourteenten]

Original housings had some sort of yellow base coating (primer?), then white and finished of silver. Italian market housings did not have the reflective coating (not all will agree....). You will never get the same reflective effect with aerosol spray paint but it is not bad either. It seems to be a special process to re-plate ''silver paint'' and expensive.

Cees

[silverc4s]

The right rear housing for the 1972 model year is unique, in that it is missing the pass thru wiring for the oil tank level sender.
Ask me how I know...;(