68 Side Marker Reflectors

[Bob Richardson]

My '68 Targa has the original fenders but the holes for the side marker reflectors have been welded shut. I’ve been told my two different shops that I must either grind away the paint and repaint the fenders or drill new holes from the outside. I need a template for both the front and rear reflectors (one for each as a template would be reversible) or exact measurements. Any help would be appreciated.

[72targa]

Possibly dumb question...are you sure ir's a US car (not ROW)?

[Bob Richardson]

Positive. I have the original bill of sale, owner's manual, etc. You can see the weld marks from the inside of the fenders but I've been told that grinding them to locate the holes would blister the paint.

[72targa]

I would locate another '68 and take extensive measurements that make sense to you plus lots of photos.

[mshaver51]

I think '72Targa' has a point, but to the extent that it would help you, I will try to make a brown-paper template from my '68. the rear quarters are original to the car.

For the front fenders, I have one of the original fenders, and will make a template from that.

Just for clarity, however, I do not claim to be a professional in such things, so I hope I am not contributing to messing up your car.

[Bob Richardson]

That would be great! You can mail them to me at the following: Bob Richardson, 1080 Stoney Bottom Road, Front Royal, VA 22630. I'll be happy to reimburse you for the postage. Call if you want to discuss it - (540) 636-3352.

[VintageExcellen]

If you are good, then you can place a cold wet towel on the painted side to keep the heat from melting your paint, then grind away the welds on the back a little bit at a time and paying attention to not get your metal hot - this will take patience, find the center of those welds and that will most likely be your hole, the place a big handful of modeling clay on the painted side to keep the paint from flying off when you drill, drill from the back of the fender out on that center of the weld area you found. You might actually get it without needed to repaint - assuming your paint is already worth saving.

I have done this to a few cars that were perfectly restored and the resto shop screwed up by not clearing a hole before paint. You need to coat the bare metal after you drill out the hole otherwise rust will come bubbleing out in a couple years.

[Bob Richardson]

Thanks, I thought about applying a freezer pack to the outside and trying to cut into the weld with a Dremel cutting blade. I hadn't thought about rust. Good tip.

[pgxif]

Bob - the side marker reflectors are hideous
With all due respect, are you sure you want to revert to this "last minute" design that ruins the lines of the car ????