[pauly1119]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

And sometimes it just takes time before acceptance sets in. Case in point, I thought the C7 Corvette was awful when it was released, nowadays I like them. I could really care less if anyone like the 2019+ tail lights, I like them and so does many others. I have nothing against the 2017-2018 tail lights other than they look like C7 knock offs and as someone stated, they have a Japanese/Chinese look to them. Once you see it, you can't unsee it. I do prefer the 2017-2018 rear bumper though.

I agree with the C7 Vette, has to be a wide body or it doesn’t work and that took a few years to grow on me. Chevy has a habit of making similar taillights on a few the cars being made. Several at night kinda resemble one another. I feel the same way though, I make purchases to what I like.

[The Maverick]

Originally Posted by pauly1119

Just curious why you did this project? Was it hit or just liked the older design. I like the 2018 design better too but not sure I would go through that unless it was hit.

This is no accident... ;-)

The car has just over 2,000 miles on it and the essentially factory-new front and rear bumper covers (along with misc other parts that have to be swapped out) will go into storage after my "defresh" project is completed.

Yes, I obviously *significantly* prefer the look of the '16-18's. I had a 2016 RS for four years that I put around 41K miles on, but wanted to upgrade from the A8 to the A10 plus additional features that were not on my 1LT.

Once I got the '21, I gave the 2019 refresh a little time to grow on me, and it just wasn't happening. But this is definitely an eye-of-the-beholder project and others will see it differently - that's why it's called customization!

Unfortunately, COVID impacts on the small family-run shop I am working with have dragged out the timeline of the project longer than normal, but eventually I'll have a finished-product photo to share... and a Camaro that looks 90%+ like what I had before (not quite 100% because the headlight change made to some '19+ models is apparently not readily reversible).

[pauly1119]

Originally Posted by The Maverick

This is no accident... ;-)

The car has just over 2,000 miles on it and the essentially factory-new front and rear bumper covers (along with misc other parts that have to be swapped out) will go into storage after my "defresh" project is completed.

Yes, I obviously *significantly* prefer the look of the '16-18's. I had a 2016 RS for four years that I put around 41K miles on, but wanted to upgrade from the A8 to the A10 plus additional features that were not on my 1LT.

Once I got the '21, I gave the 2019 refresh a little time to grow on me, and it just wasn't happening. But this is definitely an eye-of-the-beholder project and others will see it differently - that's why it's called customization!

Unfortunately, COVID impacts on the small family-run shop I am working with have dragged out the timeline of the project longer than normal, but eventually I'll have a finished-product photo to share... and a Camaro that looks 90%+ like what I had before (not quite 100% because the headlight change made to some '19+ models is apparently not readily reversible).

Wow I give you a lot of credit to make it exactly what you want. Good luck with the project. It will probably be one of a kind when it’s done.

[The Maverick]

Originally Posted by Gas

I'm seriously contemplating grabbing a new zl1. I hate the new tail lights so thats the only thing holding me back.

has anyone done this? I know itll cost a pretty penny since I'm sure you'd need to get an 18 rear bumper also so they line up correctly

I was able to make this swap with a 2021 3LT RS. See my summary DIY forum post for more information.

[Cardiak]

Originally Posted by The Maverick

I was able to make this swap with a 2021 3LT RS. See my summary DIY forum post for more information.

Missing a lot of personality here. It just looks bare or like it's just a render.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Cardiak

Missing a lot of personality here. It just looks bare or like it's just a render.

You gotta be kidding with that. Maverick pulled off a spectacular conversion and even shared some details with us. His car isn't a ZL1, so the bumpers and headlights and DRLs are different, his spoiler is the small RS one, what do you mean it looks bare? It's simply a different trim.

[The Maverick]

Originally Posted by Cardiak

Missing a lot of personality here. It just looks bare or like it's just a render.

I did de-badge the trunk lid consistent with what I did to my '16, and haven't gotten around to restoring (and possibly moving) the RS emblem on the '16-18 bumper, but this is the real deal!

[infinitereality]

While I sort of prefer the pre-facelift tails, I'd taken either when I was looking for a car.

I happen to come across a ZL1 cloned Camaro with the new headlights and such. I was amazed how awesome it looked, especially the DRL layouts. Of course the width wasn't there, but man it looked good.

[Cardiak]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

You gotta be kidding with that. Maverick pulled off a spectacular conversion and even shared some details with us. His car isn't a ZL1, so the bumpers and headlights and DRLs are different, his spoiler is the small RS one, what do you mean it looks bare? It's simply a different trim.

The debadging makes it look empty.

[RamAir02]

It sounds like I'm in the minority here, but I prefer the 19+ tails. I wasn't a fan of the 16-18 tails, although they've grown on me over time. For me, I think it really boils down to my preference for the appearance of four distinct tail lights.

Similarly, I loved the rear on my 5th gen (2010) once I painted the chrome trim rings black. I wasn't a fan of the 2014 refresh rear at all. And I suppose the 2014-2015 and 2016-2018 tail lights are similar to one another, as are the 2010-2013 and 2019+ tail lights.

My $.02

[CW3SF]

Originally Posted by RamAir02

It sounds like I'm in the minority here, but I prefer the 19+ tails. I wasn't a fan of the 16-18 tails, although they've grown on me over time. For me, I think it really boils down to my preference for the appearance of four distinct tail lights.

Similarly, I loved the rear on my 5th gen (2010) once I painted the chrome trim rings black. I wasn't a fan of the 2014 refresh rear at all. And I suppose the 2014-2015 and 2016-2018 tail lights are similar to one another, as are the 2010-2013 and 2019+ tail lights.

My $.02

You aren’t alone. I prefer the 19 and newer look. No way I would spend money to make my car look older. But to each their own.

[goata8]

Originally Posted by RamAir02

It sounds like I'm in the minority here, but I prefer the 19+ tails. I wasn't a fan of the 16-18 tails, although they've grown on me over time. For me, I think it really boils down to my preference for the appearance of four distinct tail lights.

Similarly, I loved the rear on my 5th gen (2010) once I painted the chrome trim rings black. I wasn't a fan of the 2014 refresh rear at all. And I suppose the 2014-2015 and 2016-2018 tail lights are similar to one another, as are the 2010-2013 and 2019+ tail lights.

My $.02

Same.

Although I do like the way the 16-18 tails look at night with the double checkmark looking thing they have going on. I haven't seen the new style at night however.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by goata8

Same.

Although I do like the way the 16-18 tails look at night with the double checkmark looking thing they have going on. I haven't seen the new style at night however.

I'll have to honest, those two rounded LEDs on each side of a '19+ do also look sharp at night. Now if only the updated design were in sync with the original lines.

[The Maverick]

Cosmetics are obviously a "to each his own" area. Having owned a 2016, there were some things about the refresh rear end that I couldn't unsee or resist reverting to the "better" (in my eyes) even if older look. (Although, aren't our cars at some level trying to evoke the look of something even older? Looking at you, first gens!)

Side by side, it stood out to me that the new taillights are fit into a space originally made for something different. And then there is that new "wart" coming around the side of the car in the refresh bumper cover. Another forum member made a humorous post about how he saw the refreshed rear as having a "muffin top" look.

In the spirit of the original post in this thread, those looking to make the change know it is a viable option (and potentially just a remove-and-replace parts swap for cars without the backup sensors). I am looking forward to seeing someone do a de-fresh on just half the car for a unique combination of the pre and post 2019 looks!