PFF - Pennock's Fiero Forum, PDA Edition

The Driven Visions Notchback Tail light Panel (Page 4/5)

Dennis LaGrua

FEB 10, 01:53 PM

quote

Originally posted by Patrick:

/|\ /|\ Damn, that looks good! /|\ /|\

I believe that the panel that you reference was custom made by John, by setting the C4 lenses in the notchback tail light covers or he may have used a blank Pisa panel and cut it . The original panel made by Joe at Driven Visions; used Universal Tail lights for a trailer or truck marker lights. Similar LED lights have come on the market and they are inexpensive. I doubt if we will ever see the Driven Visions rear tail light panel manufactured again or the beautiful front headlight setup that Joe designed. At this point in time, it appears that only a very few fiberglass companies interested in producing Fiero parts remain.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
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andreww

FEB 13, 01:03 PM

Stupid question, where are the reverse lights?

Dennis LaGrua

FEB 13, 07:45 PM

quote

Originally posted by andreww:

Stupid question, where are the reverse lights?

The back up lights are Pilot Navigator lights that just happen to fit exactly in the space on the facia where the reflectors are now. These are very inexpensive and since they are Halogen, provide about twice the light of the Fiero back up/reverse lights. I believe that the pictures on this thread show them.

Warlordsix

AUG 15, 06:03 PM

Panel is prepped, painted, color sanded, buffed and polished. Gloss black. Ready to go in. Maybe tomorrow. This shot isn't the best, but it at least gives an idea of the difference.

Ernie

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'87 Fiero 4.9 5-speed

Dennis LaGrua

AUG 15, 10:38 PM

quote

Originally posted by Warlordsix:

Panel is prepped, painted, color sanded, buffed and polished. Gloss black. Ready to go in. Maybe tomorrow. This shot isn't the best, but it at least gives an idea of the difference.

Ernie

Looks real nice. The black panel seems to enhance the look of the four taillights. IMO, painting the panel the color of the car seems to lose the look .

Warlordsix

AUG 15, 11:06 PM

"The black panel seems to enhance the look of the four taillights."

Agreed. Also, I added aluminum tape to the panel behind each lens to act as a full width/height reflector. That REALLY made the lenses pop.

Ernie

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'87 Fiero 4.9 5-speed

Dennis LaGrua

AUG 15, 11:39 PM

quote

Originally posted by Warlordsix:

"The black panel seems to enhance the look of the four taillights."

Agreed. Also, I added aluminum tape to the panel behind each lens to act as a full width/height reflector. That REALLY made the lenses pop.

Ernie

We think alike. When I dd the Corvette C4 panel I used chrome silver paint in the taillight housings. I can confirm that it brightens up the look. If you used the direct fit LED 2057 lights they also seem to add more brightness. IMO custom taillight panels make the Fiero more modern looking. While most use the stock taillight look, they look as a very dedicated 80's style to me. Nothing wrong with them but for my taste the custom panels look better.

sourmash

AUG 16, 08:53 AM

Speaking of the Corvette panels, I almost bought a Fiero with a C4 Corvette tail light panel already installed. And the instant I saw it in person was the instant I decided that the thing had to go as soon as possible. Even if it had been painted a different color, any color. Even if it had enhancements to break up the large field... You can make them look 'better' with some mods, but to look the best that it can it should just be replaced.

It's not a Corvette and back in the day Corvette people helped trash the Fiero. Pontiac had the most aggressive styling house and did it better than the rest of GM. Blending the two makes it look lesser. The Notchie tail lights need nothing other than perhaps the LED setups installed. Putting Corvette-esque panels on the Notchback makes it look like a cartoon hat/character off of Lidsville if anyone remembers that Saturday morning show.

Dennis LaGrua

AUG 16, 06:43 PM

quote

Originally posted by sourmash:

Speaking of the Corvette panels, I almost bought a Fiero with a C4 Corvette tail light panel already installed. And the instant I saw it in person was the instant I decided that the thing had to go as soon as possible. Even if it had been painted a different color, any color. Even if it had enhancements to break up the large field... You can make them look 'better' with some mods, but to look the best that it can it should just be replaced.

It's not a Corvette and back in the day Corvette people helped trash the Fiero. Pontiac had the most aggressive styling house and did it better than the rest of GM. Blending the two makes it look lesser. The Notchie tail lights need nothing other than perhaps the LED setups installed. Putting Corvette-esque panels on the Notchback makes it look like a cartoon hat/character off of Lidsville if anyone remembers that Saturday morning show.

The C4 Vette, Euro, Pisa Ferrari and Driven Visions style taillight panels all change the stock Fiero look to a custom look. People do buy them as they want a different taillight design. I really like mine and am glad that I did the change but you apparently have a different opinion. I guess that I am just not part of the group think crowd.

sourmash

AUG 16, 10:45 PM

Group think is nothing that would describe my positions on most things. I'd disagree that it's a custom look. Buying something off the shelf isn't custom. It's aftermarket. Custom is using individual imagination to create something unique.