Plastic headlamp rings

[rodo]

Has anyone come up with a replacement for these so that I don't have to shell out $33 each? And donor cars are not much good as any plastic rings they did have will have the same problem mine did: degradation.

[wetminkey]

Here's what I posted over on "Fiat Spider Related":
My Spider, through some terrible misfortune, ended up with one of each,...a pre-'79, and a post-'79 headlight bezel attachment. I tried to replace the black plastic ring, but my old one is flat and round, while the new one has an smooth extension to one side and a lot more trim plastic (bezel to fender) than just a "giant washer", like my old one.
I'm done with the plastic ring.
I've devised a way to add headlight bezel mounting tabs to my fender's headlight 'can' (that mounts the headlight bucket). That will give it a headlight bezel attachment just like the pre-'79 fenders. My driver's side headlight 'can' has a small 9/16" cutout at the top of the 'can', and a similar 3/4" cutout at the bottom. Identical to the older fenders, just missing the tab to hook the top of the bezel, and the tab w/hole, for the bezel's attachment screw at the bottom. I also find a thin space, between the 'can' edge, and the fender, in each location. These spots are not welded closed, and strips of metal will fit through these slots. After bending 90 degrees (to conform with the back of the headlight 'can', inside the wheel well), they could be MIGed to the back edge of the 'can'.
I do not know if your headlight 'cans' have the same small cutouts and slots. If so, this MOD could easily be accomplished on your car!
Just devised this today. Haven't completed it, but I have light cardboard templates already,...
Hope this helps.
Engineering most of the time,...Todd.

[aevansgatech]

I might have some in decent shape.. I'll check next time I'm in the garage

[wetminkey]

Thanks, aevansgatech, but the idea is to get rid of them!