Rear PORSCHE Reflector - Which do YOU Like? (56k beware)

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

It was a heck of a project, and still needs a lot of work, but it's finally completed. The new rear end reflector has been installed.

I've always thought the rear of my 944 was a little dull. The plate sat really really high between the tail lights, and there was a blank space between the bumperettes. I didn't mind the bumperettes too much, but the plate so high made the car look like it had its pants pulled way up.

It should have been an easy installation. But once again, my car fooled me. The holes in the car to install such reflectors did not match with where the screws were on the reflector itself. Therefore, I had to rig up an attachment bar.

Headed out to Lowe's to get a 3-foot section of aluminum, about 1/16th of an inch thick. Not a big piece, but enough to go between the two mounting ridges on the back of the reflector. In this piece, I'd drill holes to line up with the car's holes. This was fairly easy stuff. But a small oversight on my own part led me down a little more diabolical path. With such a rigging, I had no way to hold the bolts in place as I nutted them up from inside the trunk. Oops. Just call me MacGuyver 'cuz I used pliers, wrenches, and eventually a paper clip to screw on the thing. For now, it holds tight.

Because of the aluminum bars, the reflector doesn't fit flush with the tail lights. I eventually have to take it all apart and grind down the mounting plastic on the reflector itself so that the thickness of the aluminum bar doesn't add to its depth. And at that time, I'll have more pictures of the mounting plates.

Here's the before and after shots though.

What I currently don't like is the double PORSCHE announcement. Either the reflector should say Porsche, or the sticker below it, but not both. When the car gets painted, I will most likely either return the plate to where it was and remove the reflector, or take the sticker off. I haven't decided which I want to do yet though. I'll have to see which one grows on me.

I also have to light the license plate, which is on is ordered and on its way.

Which do you like?

Rasta Monsta · Rasta Monsta's Garage

Since you asked, I can't stand those reflectors personally.

firefighter7128 · firefighter7128's Garage

Kinda takes the class out of the car

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

I know they're not well-loved. I'm trying to figure out why. All the non-Porsche owners in town I've showed it to think it adds a lot to the look of the car, saying it pulls out the 80's of the vehicle, and fills out the back end a little more.

thekidd · 08-11-2008, 05:00 PM

I dont like the reflector too much, but every once in a while I kinda wish I had one, just to se if I would like it or not. But my vote is- No reflector

nynor · 08-11-2008, 05:34 PM

i like it. either way.

mikepellegrini · mikepellegrini's Garage

Mine came with the car and I like it. A subjective value...

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

Do you need lit license plates in Washington? I have to light the plate with a lit frame.

speedracing944 · speedracing944's Garage

I like no reflector and no badging what so ever.

Speedy

hpservertech · 08-11-2008, 05:55 PM

I think it depends on the color of the car to how well it will look. It looks much better on a darker colored car.

djnolan · djnolan's Garage

is there a particular model year for the reflector? my 85.5 has one. i disconnected the taillights in the reflector, too austentacious for me. i like the reflector (w/o lights) but don't like the lower license plate. most newer cars have a raised plate...

hpservertech · 08-11-2008, 06:14 PM

I think they are universal for all years.

I've been thinking about changing mine from being a tail light to being a brake light. Still haven't decided on that though.

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

The license plate lights illuminate the reflector from above slightly. Apologies for the picture but it's not a night-time camera. It's bright enough to read porsche, but not bright enough to light the entire thing.

If they're universal, then something's wrong with my car. The holes to mount the reflector didnt' line up with the reflector screws. They were off quite a bit. The plate mounts with 2 screws between the tail lights, but the reflector has one screw in the middle. Either they changed the mounts, or my car's a mutant.

Dave L · 08-11-2008, 06:43 PM

I think either way is fine. I would add one of those smoke plate covers to make it blend in a bit. Also get that exhaust tip pointing straight out and not on an angle.

hpservertech · 08-11-2008, 06:57 PM

I'm with Dave on the exhaust. Makes it look a little ricey, but to each his own.

Aslet · 08-11-2008, 07:11 PM

^+2 I don't get why the exhaust is angled to the side...?

Also, I have never liked the reflector. I think the car looks cleaner with the license plate tucked away between the two tail lenses, not sticking out on the bumper. It just looks tacky to me, hard to explain why...

J1NX3D · J1NX3D's Garage

i agree, i'm not a fan of the reflector. Its too much plastic, makes it look jap-car-'80s-esk.

I see your States plates arequite tall... im not familiar with your laws, can you make it slimmer to fit properly? If you could, then i'd stick it between the tail lights and get a euro rear bumper or shave the bumperettes.

mattdavis11 · 08-12-2008, 06:27 AM

Yep, I had to go check to make sure that one of you guys didn't steal my car. The nay sayers don't like them because they don't have one. Mine has 4 bulbs inside.

Lose the lower script.

halik · 08-12-2008, 09:05 AM

ugly imo, I'll be taking the one off my car asap.

thekidd · 08-12-2008, 09:45 AM

The reflecter came as an option, some said on another post that it was a $20 option. HAHA, another way to get some bills out of the original owner. And definetly no angle pipes, definetly ricey. And exit wound, Im trying to get a meet together in the Philly area, thinking it will be the first weekend of Sept. I posted it as "Philly area meet."