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928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
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Author:  ben944 [ Fri Dec 03, 2010 8:19 pm ]
Post subject:  928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
Hi All,

I don't often post in this section of the forum so please be gentle with me...

As some of you may know, I have designed, developed and have manufactured a fog light protector for the 944 S2 and Turbo Porsches. I've had stacks of enquiries from 928 owners wanting to know if I have a set for the GT and GTS models of 928. Most enquiries seem to be coming from Australia. Maybe 928 owners in Oz have a lot of 'roo strikes or something?

Anyway, not being massively up on the foglights on the 928's, I was wondering if someone could talk me through the variations? I know the earlier S type 928's have a twin light lens affair? and the GTS seems to be like a complete unit?

I would be massively grateful if some of you guys could stick some pictures of the front ends of your cars on here so I could see the differences. I'm wondering if I could produce something similar for the 928's. My thanks in advance everyone.

Ben :bounce:
Author:  stratfordshark [ Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
Hi Ben,

The taxonomy of 928 lights is easier than you imply!

There are only 2 alternatives. The separate fog and driving light design covered all models from introduction of the 928 covering the original, S and S2 versions.

With the smoother front and rear styling introduced with the S4 for 1987 model year, there was a single light (photo of mine attached) integrating for and driving light. So the photo covers S4, GT and GTS (and SE as well but only handful of those about!).

I'm sure an owner of an early car can post a good close-up of the separate front lights, if not I'll try to find one in my 928 collection!
Author:  ben944 [ Sat Dec 04, 2010 7:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
stratfordshark wrote:
Hi Ben,

The taxonomy of 928 lights is easier than you imply!

There are only 2 alternatives. The separate fog and driving light design covered all models from introduction of the 928 covering the original, S and S2 versions.

With the smoother front and rear styling introduced with the S4 for 1987 model year, there was a single light (photo of mine attached) integrating for and driving light. So the photo covers S4, GT and GTS (and SE as well but only handful of those about!).

I'm sure an owner of an early car can post a good close-up of the separate front lights, if not I'll try to find one in my 928 collection!


Thanks so much. You've been very helpful. What sort of price are you looking at if you had to replace the fog light unit glass?

Regards,

Ben :bounce:
Author:  911perv [ Sat Dec 04, 2010 10:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
ben944 wrote:
stratfordshark wrote:
Hi Ben,

The taxonomy of 928 lights is easier than you imply!

There are only 2 alternatives. The separate fog and driving light design covered all models from introduction of the 928 covering the original, S and S2 versions.

With the smoother front and rear styling introduced with the S4 for 1987 model year, there was a single light (photo of mine attached) integrating for and driving light. So the photo covers S4, GT and GTS (and SE as well but only handful of those about!).

I'm sure an owner of an early car can post a good close-up of the separate front lights, if not I'll try to find one in my 928 collection!


Thanks so much. You've been very helpful. What sort of price are you looking at if you had to replace the fog light unit glass?

Regards,

Ben :bounce:



Big bucks!

http://www.type911shop.co.uk/shop/artic ... %3D1245%26
Author:  Brett928S2 [ Sat Dec 04, 2010 3:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
911perv wrote:
ben944 wrote:
stratfordshark wrote:
Hi Ben,

The taxonomy of 928 lights is easier than you imply!

There are only 2 alternatives. The separate fog and driving light design covered all models from introduction of the 928 covering the original, S and S2 versions.

With the smoother front and rear styling introduced with the S4 for 1987 model year, there was a single light (photo of mine attached) integrating for and driving light. So the photo covers S4, GT and GTS (and SE as well but only handful of those about!).

I'm sure an owner of an early car can post a good close-up of the separate front lights, if not I'll try to find one in my 928 collection!


Thanks so much. You've been very helpful. What sort of price are you looking at if you had to replace the fog light unit glass?

Regards,

Ben :bounce:



Big bucks!

http://www.type911shop.co.uk/shop/artic ... %3D1245%26



Hi :)

Is that just the glass though or does it include the lights ?

All the best Brett :)
Author:  stratfordshark [ Sat Dec 04, 2010 5:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
ben944 wrote:
Thanks so much. You've been very helpful. What sort of price are you looking at if you had to replace the fog light unit glass?

Regards,

Ben :bounce:


They are pricey, but if you keep your eye out on eBay etc you can buy the lens units for about £100 each side. The complete units with backing shell are dearer, but I've been able to buy for £120 or so.

In theory you only need replace lens units if they are cracked/holed or just tired looking. In practice it can be tricky to remove screws without damaging the screw holes in rear shell (if you have to drill them out as corroded) so sometimes need to replace entire unit. In fact an impact driver will almost always remove the corroded screws no problem, if they haven't been damaged first.
Author:  stratfordshark [ Sat Dec 04, 2010 8:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
You have competition!

http://www.928motorsports.com/parts/foglampguard.php
Author:  ben944 [ Sat Dec 04, 2010 8:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
stratfordshark wrote:
You have competition!

http://www.928motorsports.com/parts/foglampguard.php


I've seen something similar for the 944's on eBay. TBH though, I can't see a bit of plastic film being effective enough, despite claims that they are. The 944 fog light protectors I designed have a little flex in them to absorb the impact rather than being tight up against the lens (if you follow me).

Ok. I'm convinced that there is a market for something for the 928's given the replacement cost. I could design a beauty set of fog/driving light protectors for the 928 . I'm thinking something that wraps around and covers the entire unit including the indicators. Sound good?

All I need now is someone to spare a few hours of their car so I can make a template. Anyone up for it?? Or has anyone got a complete unit knocking about that I could borrow/purchase? There would be a free set of fog light protectors in it for whoever can help me. I'm based in West Yorkshire.

Ben :bounce:
Author:  stratfordshark [ Sun Dec 05, 2010 10:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
Hi Ben,

Take your point that your design may offer much better protection, though Carl at 928 Motorsports is a very respected member of the 928 community, and his products have a good reputation.

Would suggest you look beyond UK market though if you want decent volume of sales. there are simply far fewer 928s on the road here than 944s. About 1500 went through MOT last year. Of those around 400 are in hands of enthusiasts who would look at Porsche websites/magazines etc (400 is the membership of the 928 UK owners list). Now take the fraction of that 400 who would be interested in your product - the numbers start to look small.

Actually I may be under-estimating - it was amazing how many 928 owners at NEC had not heard of the owner email list, nor had they heard of TIPEC or PCGB!

Do float your idea on the 928uk list first - membership free and you can join via the 928.org.uk website. You'll get great feedback.

Anyway will watch development of this with interest.

Best of luck with the product
Author:  ben944 [ Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
stratfordshark wrote:
Hi Ben,

Take your point that your design may offer much better protection, though Carl at 928 Motorsports is a very respected member of the 928 community, and his products have a good reputation.

Would suggest you look beyond UK market though if you want decent volume of sales. there are simply far fewer 928s on the road here than 944s. About 1500 went through MOT last year. Of those around 400 are in hands of enthusiasts who would look at Porsche websites/magazines etc (400 is the membership of the 928 UK owners list). Now take the fraction of that 400 who would be interested in your product - the numbers start to look small.

Actually I may be under-estimating - it was amazing how many 928 owners at NEC had not heard of the owner email list, nor had they heard of TIPEC or PCGB!

Do float your idea on the 928uk list first - membership free and you can join via the 928.org.uk website. You'll get great feedback.

Anyway will watch development of this with interest.

Best of luck with the product


Don't get me wrong - I appreciate what Carl has done at 928 Motorsports. It's probably not quite so in your face as a full on plastic protector. And would also look a lot more discrete. The only thing I'm not convinced about is that a piece of film can stop a piece of debris cracking/smashing the lens.

When I did the 944 FLP's, a chap claimed that he had the film type protectors and that they would stop a 1 inch projectile at 125 mph from smashing the fog light lens. Call me a doubting Thomas, but I just can't see it stopping that.

Thanks for your comments. I'm fortunate that the engineering company I use specialises in low volumes. So I'd be looking at around 25 pairs being made. If those sell, I'd get another 25 pairs made. Similar to what I'm already doing with the 944 FLP's. Low volume, low risk.

As soon as I have something, I'll post again. It might be a few months though as I'm already on with my next Porsche project...

Ben :bounce:
Author:  kenthepipe [ Sat Dec 11, 2010 1:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
Very interesting, I wish you well with your endeavors, I,ve owned my 80 928S for nineteen years now and have often looked out for something on a more robust line for fog/drive lamp protection, such as what your trying for.., Good luck !

QUOTE--When I did the 944 FLP's, a chap claimed that he had the film type protectors and that they would stop a 1 inch projectile at 125 mph from smashing the fog light lens. Call me a doubting Thomas, but I just can't see it stopping that.


..., nor me !
Author:  ben944 [ Wed Jan 19, 2011 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
Hi,

Can someone help me out please? I can't get hold of a second hand fog/driving light assembly anywhere. I've e-mailed/rung round breakers but to no joy.

Is there anyone near the West Yorkshire area who can help me out so I can make a template of the fog/driving light??? There's a free set of light protectors in it for whoever can help me. :( Failing that, I'm just going to have to give it up as a bad one.

Ben
Author:  Bizman928 [ Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
Hi Ben

You can have my old light reflector which is cracked but still in one piece, when I get my new one at the weekend.

Cheers
Steve
Author:  ben944 [ Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
Bizman928 wrote:
Hi Ben

You can have my old light reflector which is cracked but still in one piece, when I get my new one at the weekend.

Cheers
Steve


Steve,

You're not just a star, you're an entire galaxy. PM sent. Looks like Steve gets the first set for nowt when they're made.

Ben
Author:  Bizman928 [ Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 928 GT and GTS Fog Light Protectors - Help please?
Hi Ben

Your more than welcome! Will get them out to you once my replacement arrives from Simon P tomorrow.

Cheers

Steve
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