Exterior "chromes"

[Guest]

Hi all,
1. How to fix for example tail light oval plates
What is the material? Does anyone know where to get new ones?
2. Should I change olg generator to alternator and may I use existing regulator?
3. My 59 HardTop has 2+2 tail lights and on a photos I have seen
3+3.
4. "Air intake cowl" and corners too has been chromed. Should they be body color?
I have just begun total overhauling so I'll be back for sure

Thanks Jari & 59Squarebird

jari.luoma@megakone.fi

[Tbird1044]

Welcome Jari:
1. The tail light plates, commonly knows as waffle plates, are not reproduced. Most guys rechrome. They are made of pot metal and are very expensive to rechrome.
2. You would probably need a new regulator if you change to an alternator. Most of the alternators have internal regulators, but I seem to recall some earlier models that did use an external.
3. The 59 had the 2 lights on each side. The 1960 changed to the 3 lights. On the 60, the light lenses are smaller.
4. The air intake cowl was originally painted to match the car. Many like to chrome or paint the small grill inside to set it off.
Nyles

[Guest]

Thanks Nyles!
Have to look at how to polish pot metal! Black stripes are just painted I suppose...