Carrera tail removal question

[Cevan]

I'm toying with the idea of removing the rear tail. I know the preferred method is to source a rear deck lid and paint it to match. But before I source one, I was thinking I could just remove the tail part of my deck lid and install the grill, which I would need anyways. I realize I'll have a few holes to plug up, and the paint underneath may be less than nice to look at but it'll give me a good idea if I want to spend a few hundred on a deck lid and a few hundred more getting it painted.

I found one thread where someone documented the removal. Any noteworthy tips or tricks I should be aware of? Is the black plastic grill what would have come on the car? Am I correct that it attaches with 6 of those T bolts? My car has AC and has the condenser attached to the underside of the deck lid. I seem to recall it requiring two different length bolts but our host only sells one T bolt (15mm).

[Hnichols]

Yes, you can certainly remove the tail part, bolt on a grill, and plug the holes somehow (or just screw some bolts if you don't mind how that looks.

I kind of wish I had done that instead of buying a used lid and getting it painted (I got the lid for $275, I think, and about $600 to get it painted, so figure about $1000 total).

Removal is straightforward, so long as you remember that the lid is rather heavy when you remove the last bolt. I found that it took some finessing to get the new lid to line up properly, so that the gaps are even left and right, top and bottom. I don't know if your car has a rear wiper, but I found that when I later reinstalled the wiper motor bracket, the lid lined up beautifully.

[BE911SC]

You realize that sourcing one costs more than merely finding one used?

[Cevan]

Originally Posted by BE911SC

You realize that sourcing one costs more than merely finding one used?

I can find one for free. Sourcing means acquiring possession of it, which includes the cost of the lid plus shipping (or gas if local).

[Cook&Dunning]

If you end up being 100% sold on tail free, you could sell the tail to fund the repairs and re-spray of the deck lid. Just an idea.