VR/VS Tail lights. Does reflector colour mean model?

[LURK3R]

I've searched over the forums and I'm struggling to understand what the reflector colour means.
On my VS Series II '97 Exec, I have a tail light with, a Red brake light, Orange indicator and Red reflector.
On the opposite side everything is the same, except a white reflector.

Do I have two VR tail lights one with a faded reflector?
Do I have two VS tail lights one with a faded reflector?
Or do I have a taillight from each model?

I'm quite confused as people have said i have a VR tail light and a VS tail light, but from the threads I've found it sounds like it just has a faded reflector.

If anybody could clear this up for me I would greatly appreciate it.

have attached a picture of the setup. thanks everyone

[Andrew426]

Both are vr/vs exec tail lights, one has a faded reflector.

The situation with clear reflectors (as far as I know, trainspotters correct me if im wrong) Is only the early VR Berlinas and calaises ever had clear reflectors. They also had clear indicators in their tail lights. The design was revised (pretty early on in the VR run) to red reflectors with clear indicators. The reason being that you can not display any white/clear light from the rear of the vehicle (under NZ law atleast) and the clear reflectors reflect white light.

As far as I know, the exec/SS style lights (with yellow indicators) never came with clear reflectors in them - only red ones.

[LURK3R]

Thanks for that Andrew. Clears things up for me a bit. So because I have an Exec- they will always come with orange indicators? Whereas the calais had clears at the time this model came out?
Sorry, it just doesn't seem clearly documented which tail light was manufactured with what you know heh

[Andrew426]

Yeah early VR calais and berlina had clear indicators and clear reflectors. Later VR and VS berlina and calais came with red reflectors and clear indicators.

Again this is only an observation based on trainspotting every VR/VS I see. I could be proven wrong.

[LURK3R]

Ha, well from what I've seen that seems right. Thanks heaps for the help mate, Will put a few loud mouths in their place. Honestly, I'm over people whining about different reflectors. haha

[Philthy]

Nothing had clear reflectors. High spec cars had clear indicators, but all started out with red reflectors

[Andrew426]

Nothing had clear reflectors. High spec cars had clear indicators, but all started out with red reflectors

Nah mate I have a set with clear reflectors, came off a september 93 VR berlina at pickapart.


These are not faded at all, there is no trace of red anywhere in them.

[Patti2912]

Nah mate I have a set with clear reflectors, came off a september 93 VR berlina at pickapart.


These are not faded at all, there is no trace of red anywhere in them.

Its illegal to have white reflectors mate.
I got defected recently and this was one of the factors, and as well as you i was stumped when i pulled them out to see not one hint of red anywhere on it.
I swore that it was always, and meant to be white, especially comparing them to most other vr/vs models that also have faded over the years.
Check out the specs of the 93 vr's, they all came out with red, and have faded into clear/white over the 17 years they have been in our harsh climate.

[hako]

If you have faded reflectors, just spray them with red lens tint which is available from SuperCheap or Autopro for about $20...a quick spray and it's good as new.

[Philthy]

Its illegal to have white reflectors mate.
I got defected recently and this was one of the factors, and as well as you i was stumped when i pulled them out to see not one hint of red anywhere on it.
I swore that it was always, and meant to be white, especially comparing them to most other vr/vs models that also have faded over the years.
Check out the specs of the 93 vr's, they all came out with red, and have faded into clear/white over the 17 years they have been in our harsh climate.

If anyone can find me a photo of a brand new VR/S with white reflectors, I'll admit I'm wrong

[Patti2912]

If anyone can find me a photo of a brand new VR/S with white reflectors, I'll admit I'm wrong

What are you talking about?
A. there are no longer any 'new' VR/S's,
B. you won't find ANY vehicle that legally has white reflectors, whether it be old or brand new.
Any cars with white reflectors that you see, without any red in them what so ever have been faded,
Whether it 'looks' like there was ever any red in there or not.

**edit**
Upon reading your earlier comment i am now getting the feeling that you were backing my statements up :P
My bad.

[Philthy]

What are you talking about?
A. there are no longer any 'new' VR/S's,
B. you won't find ANY vehicle that legally has white reflectors, whether it be old or brand new.
Any cars with white reflectors that you see, without any red in them what so ever have been faded,
Whether it 'looks' like there was ever any red in there or not.

**edit**
Upon reading your earlier comment i am now getting the feeling that you were backing my statements up :P
My bad.

There might not be any brand new VR/S's around, but they had cameras back in the 90's too.

[White Tiger]

why is it always the passenger side one that fades i swear i have never seen a faded drivers side one but that's probably cause i don't pay that much attention to them

[klampy]

why is it always the passenger side one that fades i swear i have never seen a faded drivers side one but that's probably cause i don't pay that much attention to them

i used to have a VR calais, about two years ago, and the drivers side was nearly clear. i just tinted the red parts with niteshades and put red blubs in instead. the D/s reflector was nearly clear too. must admit after i tinted the red it looked pretty sinister being a white car with black and clear taillights.