1961-1963 TOYOTA bezels are now being stamped in AUS.

[Unimogguy]

Guys just a heads up…

I just came across an ad on FB where an individual in AUS is now stamping the uber rare 1961-1963 “LAND CRUISER” bezels. They apparently made a die from an Original Bezel and will stamp your factory bezel after you send it to them and then they’ll ship it back to you.

As most of you know the stamped bezels previously reproduced were either made out of fiberglass or were metal but the metal ones didn’t have the lip to fully cover the opening and the second version that was done south of our border were poorly done and the “S” is not stamped properly. All having tell tell signs that they weren’t original.

Upon further inspection it appears that the newly stamped bezels aren’t stamped as deeply as the originals? But it could just be the lighting or shadows.

I posted this to make everyone aware this was going on and to hopefully insure nobody gets taken and sold a restamped bezel for the $800-$1k that the OEM bezels have been selling for recently.

 

[Unimogguy]

I had actually planned to do this previously and had even 3d printed a red die but then subsequently started flight school and no further progress was made. However on my mold I changed the spacing between the “D” and the “C” so we would always tell the restamped bezels from the originals. Hopefully maintaining the value of the original stamped bezels.

Here’s the 3d molds we made for proof of concept and R&D.

 

[Unimogguy]

So that brings me to going forward…as some of us have invested a lot of money and time into finding one.

I’m going to document my 2 original stamped bezels here. As this ad is only 8 hrs old as of my posting today and it would be impossible for me to have already gone thru this process with them.

Please feel free to document your stamped bezels below!

Purchased bezel from the former owner of Classic Cruisers in Salida, CO. He contacted me after seeing my wanted ad on Craigslist. No. No I didn’t have it plated.

Purchased bezel from @whitey45 because how could someone pass on one with OEM paint?

 

[Bear]

Just thinking out loud: I'm guessing those prices are Aussie dollars?
Seeing he can stamp other body pieces, and not sure if the later rectangular bezels have enough real estate, but curious how stamping a later one might look?
As an original owner also, I appreciate your efforts to make a minor change to your letter spacing to preserve the value of a rare original. Bravo !

 

[LCMoneyPit]

Noting that I have the one from this thread: SOLD - 1958-63 Land Cruiser Headlight Bezel - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1958-63-land-cruiser-headlight-bezel.1351116/

 

[sofj45]

On my 63fj40, hard to see but both 62 Fj45’s have the stamped bezel also

 

[whitey45]

Owned this one for 30 years! Been on half a dozen 45’s over the years!

 

[HelloKitty65]

Original paint, under the yellow.

 

[sleepycruiser]

I had actually planned to do this previously and had even 3d printed a red die but then subsequently started flight school and no further progress was made. However on my mold I changed the spacing between the “D” and the “C” so we would always tell the restamped bezels from the originals. Hopefully maintaining the value of the original stamped bezels.

Here’s the 3d molds we made for proof of concept and R&D.

View attachment 4098635

View attachment 4098636

View attachment 4098637

View attachment 4098638

Sooooooo…..when are you going to pick this project back up? I have a chrome bezel and have thought about the fiberglass version with the stamp, but if mine could just be stamped…….

 

[Unimogguy]

Sooooooo…..when are you going to pick this project back up? I have a chrome bezel and have thought about the fiberglass version with the stamp, but if mine could just be stamped…….

After flight school is over…aka ~2 months. But I’ve got to find someone who can make the actual dies. Shouldn’t be too hard in Denver I hope?!?!

 

[Krondor]

I know and work with a number of machinists in the upstate South Carolina area who do good work inexpensively. Shippings usually cheap but I’d be happy to PM their contact and make an introduction if you need that sort of thing.

 

[pardion]

This is interesting….. around 1990 I had my fiberglass guy make a copy of just the lettering from a headlight surround. I found a tool and die maker in Australia that could make the whole part in steel. Well I ordered 3 samples and they came out perfect. I think I paid around $150.00 each. Well it was a lengthy stressful venture with calls not being returned but I did get the 3 with about a 6 month waiting period. He offered to sell me the mold for $1000.00 and I declined because of the previous communication issue. I’m wondering if these stampings could be from that venture?
P/S I still own my original fiberglass mold when I was selling the headlight surrounds in the late 90’s. But I don’t have a fiberglass guy, he retired.

 

[pardion]

This is interesting….. around 1990 I had my fiberglass guy make a copy of just the lettering from a headlight surround. I found a tool and die maker in Australia that could make the whole part in steel. Well I ordered 3 samples and they came out perfect. I think I paid around $150.00 each. Well it was a lengthy stressful venture with calls not being returned but I did get the 3 with about a 6 month waiting period. He offered to sell me the mold for $1000.00 and I declined because of the previous communication issue. I’m wondering if these stampings could be from that venture?
P/S I still own my original fiberglass mold when I was selling the headlight surrounds in the late 90’s. But I don’t have a fiberglass guy, he retired.

Original mold and a “part”. Might try carbon fiber. Hi jack over.

 

[whitey45]

Cant we just 3d print it now