Number plate light base gasket. Porsche 356B / 356C  ›  64463161505

The OE MATCH License / Number Plate Light Base Gasket is a replacement sealing component designed for Porsche 356 B and 356 C models manufactured between 1959 and 1965.

• Porsche 356B / 356C 1.6L 01/59-12/65

Manufactured to provide OE-style fitment and functionality, this gasket fits between the rear number plate light base and the vehicle's bodywork, helping create a protective seal against moisture, dirt, dust and road contaminants.

Also known as a number plate lamp base seal or licence plate light mounting gasket, this component forms part of the rear registration plate lighting assembly. It helps maintain a secure, properly seated lamp installation while protecting the surrounding bodywork from direct contact with the lamp base.

Over time, exposure to moisture, temperature changes, environmental conditions and general ageing can cause original sealing gaskets to harden, crack, shrink or deteriorate. A damaged gasket may allow water to enter around the lamp mounting area, potentially contributing to corrosion and damage to surrounding components.

The OE MATCH License / Number Plate Light Base Gasket provides a practical replacement solution for restoring the original sealing arrangement and maintaining the appearance and protection of the Porsche 356 rear lighting assembly.

Ideal for routine lighting maintenance, rear bodywork refurbishment and classic Porsche restoration projects, this component helps preserve the original factory-style fitment and long-term condition of the number plate lamp installation.

What This Product Does:
The number plate light base gasket creates a protective sealing interface between the number plate lamp base and the vehicle's rear bodywork.

It helps prevent water and contaminants from entering through gaps around the mounting area while providing a cushioning layer between the lamp assembly and the painted body surface.

Its key functions include:

• Weather Protection: Helps prevent rainwater and road spray from entering around the number plate light mounting area.
• Moisture Sealing: Creates a protective barrier between the lamp base and the surrounding bodywork.
• Corrosion Prevention: Reduces moisture exposure that could contribute to corrosion around the lamp mounting points.
• Paintwork Protection: Provides a cushioning interface between the lamp base and painted bodywork, helping reduce direct contact and potential surface damage.
• Dust and Dirt Protection: Helps limit the entry of road dust, dirt and debris through the mounting interface.
• Correct Lamp Seating: Helps the number plate light base sit correctly against the vehicle body.
• Vibration Reduction: Provides a flexible interface that can help minimise vibration between the lamp assembly and surrounding bodywork.
• Component Protection: Helps protect the lamp mounting area and associated fittings from environmental contamination.
• Original Appearance: Maintains the factory-style sealing arrangement used on the Porsche 356 rear number plate lighting assembly.
• OE-Style Replacement: Restores the original gasket arrangement without requiring unnecessary modifications.

Common signs include:

• Cracked or Split Gasket: Visible cracks or splits indicate deterioration and reduced sealing effectiveness.
• Hardened or Brittle Material: Ageing gasket material may lose flexibility, preventing it from conforming properly to the lamp base and bodywork.
• Flattened or Compressed Seal: Prolonged compression may cause the gasket to lose its original shape and sealing ability.
• Shrinking or Deformation: An aged gasket may shrink, distort or become uneven, leaving gaps around the lamp base.
• Water Ingress Around the Lamp: Moisture entering around the number plate light mounting area may indicate a deteriorated or incorrectly fitted gasket.
• Visible Gaps Around the Lamp Base: Poor gasket contact can leave openings between the lamp assembly and rear bodywork.
• Corrosion Around Mounting Points: Rust or corrosion around the lamp mounting area may indicate prolonged moisture exposure.
• Loose or Poorly Seated Lamp Assembly: A damaged or incorrectly positioned gasket may contribute to uneven lamp seating.
• Deteriorated Rubber Appearance: Surface cracking, perishing or material breakdown may indicate that replacement is required.
• Dirt Accumulation Around the Lamp Base: A damaged seal may allow road contaminants to collect in the mounting area.
• Paintwork Damage: A missing or severely deteriorated gasket may allow direct contact between the lamp base and painted bodywork.
• Moisture Behind the Lamp Assembly: Water trapped between the number plate light base and rear body panel may indicate ineffective sealing.
• Missing Base Gasket: An absent gasket leaves the mounting interface without its intended protective seal.

• Replacing a worn or damaged number plate light base gasket is an important part of maintaining the weather protection, appearance and long-term condition of your classic Porsche 356.
• The number plate lamp is mounted directly against the vehicle's rear bodywork, where it is exposed to rainwater, road spray, dirt and temperature changes. The base gasket provides an essential sealing interface that helps prevent moisture from entering around the mounting area.
• As the original gasket ages, it can become compressed, hardened, cracked or misshapen. Once this happens, gaps may develop between the lamp base and bodywork, allowing water and contaminants to collect around the mounting points.
• Trapped moisture can contribute to corrosion, particularly around fixing holes, metal edges and adjoining body panels. On classic vehicles, preventing corrosion is especially important for preserving original bodywork and reducing the need for costly restoration repairs.
• A correctly fitted replacement gasket helps restore the protective seal between the lamp base and vehicle body, reducing the risk of moisture-related deterioration.
• The gasket also provides a cushioning interface that helps protect painted surfaces from direct contact with the lamp housing. This can be particularly beneficial on restored vehicles with freshly painted bodywork.
• Maintaining correct gasket thickness and positioning also helps the lamp assembly sit evenly against the rear body panel, preserving the original appearance of the number plate lighting installation.
• Replacing deteriorated seals during lamp refurbishment provides an opportunity to inspect the mounting hardware, electrical connections and surrounding bodywork for corrosion or damage.
• For classic Porsche owners, rubber and sealing components can deteriorate significantly with age, even on vehicles that are driven infrequently. Renewing aged gaskets is therefore a useful preventative maintenance measure.