Taillight options?

[Baker7888]

Happy holidays everyone.

I have a 78 Malibu coupe with a busted taillight. I have been looking for a while (not a huge priority) and the only ones I can find are $250-350 a piece. Not worth it in my opinion. Wondering if there is a cheaper solution. Like a non-oem copy. Or maybe a different year/model that’s not made from unobtanium. Thoughts?

 

[Longroof79]

It might be easier to find '79 + taillights, but they would require replacing the 1/4 panel extensions.

 

[ssn696]

What does the corner lens look like? Could you graft the broken lens from an otherwise busted 79+ donor?

 

[timo22]

I think i have a 78 taillight up in the rafters. Not sure which side. I'll check and let you know.

timo22

 

[SS_Malibu]

The 78 tall lights are my favorite ones. I was considering changing my 79 tail lights over someday. If you change your over to a later year PM me, I may be interested in the 78 tail lights parts.

 

[gnvair]

You are dealing with a 45 year old car with 1 year only tail lights. Its not a new econobox that you can get stuff from the local junkyard. The prices are reflective of supply and demand. They don't reproduce them and the only options require spending more money to change the fender extensions.

 

[Wraith]

Happy holidays everyone.

I have a 78 Malibu coupe with a busted taillight. I have been looking for a while (not a huge priority) and the only ones I can find are $250-350 a piece. Not worth it in my opinion. Wondering if there is a cheaper solution. Like a non-oem copy. Or maybe a different year/model that’s not made from unobtanium. Thoughts?

Best looking tailights on the Malibu in my opinion.

Keep your eyes peeled but I believe I paid $350 years ago for a pair to replace the later style ones that cam on my 78. I have a set of 80 and 83 with the corner pieces stashed for backup in the attic too. I would love to find some NOS and would pay the price to have new.

 

[Baker7888]

I think i have a 78 taillight up in the rafters. Not sure which side. I'll check and let you know.

timo22

Sounds great Timo let me know

 

[Baker7888]

You are dealing with a 45 year old car with 1 year only tail lights. Its not a new econobox that you can get stuff from the local junkyard. The prices are reflective of supply and demand. They don't reproduce them and the only options require spending more money to change the fender extensions.

Yeah makes sense, and I get that. But I will live with the damage/graft a piece in (as suggested) before paying $350 for one taillight. People can charge whatever they want I guess. Ebay reminds me of the pawn shop. Was really hoping someone started reproducing these as they have for so many other parts.

Thanks for all the good info guys, the taillights get a little tricky on our cars.

 

[ssn696]

I have a pair of the '78-only fender extensions.