Fitting VZ Calais Tail Lights

[phatsix]

Really sorry if this has been posted before but Ive searched around and can't seem to find anything.
Just wondering if there is any way to fit a pair of VZ Calais tail lights onto a VY II exec?? Coz i saw one cruising past the other day with them.

Cheers!

[Calaber]

Really sorry if this has been posted before but Ive searched around and can't seem to find anything.
Just wondering if there is any way to fit a pair of VZ Calais tail lights onto a VY II exec?? Coz i saw one cruising past the other day with them.

Cheers!

Yes, they will fit straight in, but you have to fit the right rear bar for them as well. They fit with VY Berlina and Calais bumpers or VZ Exec, Acclaim, Berlina and Calais bumpers. They are deeper than the Exec lights and need the revised bar with a larger cut-out to accommodate them.

I haven't seen it done, but I suppose you could also cut your existing bar down a bit at each side to fit the lights in, but your cuts would have to be very neat and precise.

[phatsix]

hmmm sounds fairly hard to get it exactly precise.
how much deeper are the vz calais lights?

[GAMBLR]

In short, no buddy. The VY/VZ Calais and Berlina models had different bumpers and such, meaning that their taillights were a different size to an Executive or an SS.
What you saw if you're sure it was an Executive, could've been either VY or VZ SV6 or SS lights or the dark Alltezza lights.

[STEALTHY™]

In short, no buddy. The VY/VZ Calais and Berlina models had different bumpers and such, meaning that their taillights were a different size to an Executive or an SS.
What you saw if you're sure it was an Executive, could've been either VY or VZ SV6 or SS lights or the dark Alltezza lights.

Caliber has already said, its quite easy. Source the lights, and a VY Calais/Berlina (or any VZ) rear bar and it'd be perfect.

[phatsix]

sorry it this is a simple question but can you fit a VY Calais rear bar to a VY exec.?

[STEALTHY™]

sorry it this is a simple question but can you fit a VY Calais rear bar to a VY exec.?

Yes, all the mounting points are the same.

[Calaber]

hmmm sounds fairly hard to get it exactly precise.
how much deeper are the vz calais lights?

Phatsix

The Calais lights are about 40mm deeper. If you want to retain your existing bumper and save a few bux at the same time, there is a section of the bumper on the Execs that sits immediately below the light, that is a very simple section of plastic, wrapping around the corner of the car. There are no clips, brackets or retainers fitted in behind that section of the bar. The plastic is only about 3-4 mm thick and is quite easy to work with.

I have access to both a VY Exec and my VY Berlina and have compared the difference in the depth of the lights. The plastic piece I am referring to would be relatively easy to cut. Use masking tape to mask off the piece to be removed, cut very carefully with a sharp Stanley knife and clean up the edges with fine sandpaper. The bumper fits in very snugly under the light, so as long as you don't damage the external finish, you could remove the piece with the bumper still on the car.

Anyway, it's just a suggestion. As I said, I've never seen this done and it might not look the goods. I have to admit that the Berlina/Calais etc bumper is more attractive anyway. The choice is yours.

If you choose to buy a new bumper, check Holmart. They have excess GM stock and had the rear bars on sale at $65 a few months back.

[GAMBLR]

Sorry guys, I went to cancel that post and it mustn't have cancelled quickly enough.
Calaber and Stealthy are correct, ignore my previous post

[STEALTHY™]

Forgot to mention, for the record, the VZ SV6 lights look the best

[Frandy]

yeah about that, there is a bloke on here who has vz sv6 lights over a vy exec rear bumper, is it only the calais ones which are deeper?
or both, as its a vz....

[HoldenOnn]

If you are going to do it, then try to fit the VZ Calais tail lights. They are, by far a stand out winner in the looks department comparing to any of the VY and VZ commodore tail light variants.

[STEALTHY™]

yeah about that, there is a bloke on here who has vz sv6 lights over a vy exec rear bumper, is it only the calais ones which are deeper?
or both, as its a vz....

ALL VZ lights, and VY Berlina and Calais lights, are the larger lights.

VY Exec, S, SS etc are the smaller lights.

[Frandy]

would HUMBLZ have cut the rear bumper then?
because it looked perfect, like it was standard

[STEALTHY™]

Got a link? He might be using a VZ Exec bar, or have cut his down.

[TMM]

VZ SV6 and VZ SS are small ones too

It's only the VZ Executive and Acclaim that have bigger lights then their VY counterparts.

[STEALTHY™]

Sounds about right for holdens.

Not that it would bother me, i'd only buy a calais, never a poverty pack.

[Frandy]

great news
but yeah, it was definately vy exec rear bumper, looked smooth
thanks mate for clearing that up

[phatsix]

ok ok so is it worth cutting my exec bumper or buying a vy calais one?
(btw i want the option that will require minimal effort coz i get frustrated easily! )

[colgf]

I have the later VZ / Series II VY Calais , taillamps in my Series I Calais & they look smick!!!!! Trouble is they are very hard to come by , cost about $480 a pair new, very scarce second hand & impossible to get quickly on Ebay. I waited 3 months for a NOS pair on Ebay , bids ended at $330, but they are well worth the change , they have a "Star" type red light reflector & a larger width clear reverse/blinker lens , they have a thinner lower red strip at the bottom of the light assy. Fitted straight in , no mods needed,

[GAMBLR]

colgf, thats because you have a Calais already. All VY/VZ Calais' have larger lights so it's a direct swap over. The OP has an VY Exec which means it won't fit without modifications.
Up to you about the bar, but I'd be leaning towards a Calais bar, rather than cutting out your Exec one.

[Frandy]

or just a vz exec rear bar, they would be a little cheaper, although calais rear probably would look that little bit more classy.

[TMM]

It's also worth noting that if you fit VY/VZ Calais or VZ Berlina lights, you will need the bar with the reflectors anyway because the taillight assembly doesn't have any.

[dah_man_ben]

Althoughhh, along with me, heaps of other people on these forums don't have the reflectors fitted and its not the end of the world... I haven't had any trouble at least, and if I ever do, I suppose I will fit the reflectors.

[TMM]

Althoughhh, along with me, heaps of other people on these forums don't have the reflectors fitted and its not the end of the world.

Until someone rear ends your parked car in the middle of the night