rear lights/indicators in a pre '62

[Matt Tomkins]

Hi all,
I cant help feeling that this must have been covered before, but i cant find it.
When i eventually get around to respraying and replacing the rear wings on my 1960 convertible, i am unsure what to do about indicators on the rear.
I have ideas for the front, using the sidelight with an orange bulb, but the rear is a little more tricky.
I like the clean lines of the car with just the two rear lights, but running with just trafficators is just going to be a recipe for disaster.
I currently have the trafficators and indicators (nasty aftermarket jobs) wired in tandem on the same switch and would keep this set-up.

My idea is to use a similar concept to the new moss kit on the market, which uses LEDs to replace the rear and brake lights. http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewP ... ortOrder=1

would it be possible/legal, do you think, to add a top row of orange LEDs to this to act as an indicator within the same lamp? so bottom is brake, middle is dimmer side, and top is bright orange indicator?
I realise that i could have to add a resistor to the circuit or something similar to add the same load on the flasher unit.

Matt

[MorrisMinor-65-1000]

I like this idea. As I too like the cleaner look. I assume you're going to put the sidelights in the headlamp lenses? Also use one of those chrome bulbs with the clear sidelights so it doesn't look orange when not flashing?

I'm unsure whether you'll get away with the back really. Neat idea, but it may fall down at MOT when they realise there's no separation between the two parts of the lens. In essence I think you would need to have the orange parts in a properly isolated section of the lens so they weren't interfered with by the red light.

In terms of 'the ruling', the honest answer is there isn't any. There are lighting regulations, but they're virtually impossible to work out, and certainly don't cover mods or clever ideas like this at all. The chances of being pulled by plod are minimal, because who's really going to know it's not prototypical? If I were a plod, I'd pull someone for having a razor sharp bit of chromed steel on the top of their headlamps, or a blade of orange perspex sticking out the B-pillar, but they don't. It's just one of those things that most people look at and think "haha, look at the old car, isn't it quirky".
Basically, what I'm saying is if you can get through MOT it'll be fine - in the real world of real people and real sized social problems, it's not the top of any traffic cops' list, and he wouldn't know what he was looking at anyway.
BUT....
A problem would arise if you were involved in an accident and liability was disputed. If you were found to have modified your vehicle in such a way as to make it less safe or less visible than its prototypical standard, you could legitimately be legally negligent and liable for the accident. If that happened, your insurers would very quickly start backing away...!

That's a voice of experience. I worked in Road Traffic Accident claims handling for 3 years. It's a nasty, nasty business and I wouldn't wish anybody to get mixed up in it without reliable advice!

Project looks great, and interested to see how it will work out, but proceed with caution!!! Good luck.

[Matt Tomkins]

thanks for thr reply.
in that case, i may be able to put a separater in ther somewhere - or an interupter in the brake light circuit as in the transition cars (flashing sidelights)

If you were found to have modified your vehicle in such a way as to make it less safe or less visible than its prototypical standard

however, the trafficators would still be working in tandem, and this is the prototypical standard, and therefore i would dispute this by saying that any flashers at all are an improvement...

[MorrisMinor-65-1000]

however, the trafficators would still be working in tandem, and this is the prototypical standard, and therefore i would dispute this by saying that any flashers at all are an improvement...

Yes, true. Just a case of being sensible. If you can partition the lens it shouldn't be an issue.

Have you thought about a high level brake light in the form of a pre-1000 boot badge like this?
Makes a nice touch I think. I shall certainly be doing it.

[orb596]

I know I'm about to start an argument but here goes anyway.
I'm running both of my Minors just on trafficators and have had no problem's at all. I have done this many times with other Minors over the years and have had no trouble.
I always use hand signals as well though.

[Matt Tomkins]

however, the trafficators would still be working in tandem, and this is the prototypical standard, and therefore i would dispute this by saying that any flashers at all are an improvement...

Yes, true. Just a case of being sensible. If you can partition the lens it shouldn't be an issue.

Have you thought about a high level brake light in the form of a pre-1000 boot badge like this?
Makes a nice touch I think. I shall certainly be doing it.

hmm... i like that! I do have a boot rack on, though - but could perhaps incorperate a high level light - even a clip-on strip - to that...

I know I'm about to start an argument but here goes anyway.
I'm running both of my Minors just on trafficators and have had no problem's at all. I have done this many times with other Minors over the years and have had no trouble.
I always use hand signals as well though.

I live, during term time, in oxford and when the car comes back with me would definately not want to rely on the idiots on these heavily congested roads, with so many cyclists, busses and everything else to look out for, seeing trafficators alone

[MorrisMinor-65-1000]

hmm... i like that! I do have a boot rack on, though - but could perhaps incorperate a high level light - even a clip-on strip - to that...

If you've got a boot rack, you might as well go for a universal high level brake light stuck in the back window. Won't obscure rearward visibility, and is certainly more noticeable to drivers behind you.

[chesney]

If you've got a boot rack, you might as well go for a universal high level brake light stuck in the back window. Won't obscure rearward visibility, and is certainly more noticeable to drivers behind you.

When i eventually get around to respraying and replacing the rear wings on my 1960 convertible

[Matt Tomkins]

If you've got a boot rack, you might as well go for a universal high level brake light stuck in the back window. Won't obscure rearward visibility, and is certainly more noticeable to drivers behind you.

When i eventually get around to respraying and replacing the rear wings on my 1960 convertible

[MorrisMinor-65-1000]

Har har. Someone made a mistake. To think they're only human after all. Beggars belief.

[Matt Tomkins]

Har har. Someone made a mistake. To think they're only human after all. Beggars belief.

it's alright.. i needed a chuckle ;)
-- and besides, it was the first thought which came into my head too - and it's my car! haha

[MorrisMinor-65-1000]

Fair enough. No offence caused
At least you've got some good options whilst still retaining the slimline look. Looking forward to seeing how your led base plate works out.

[liammonty]

The flashing brake lights on the transition cars are rubbish, as they are hard roses and they cause confusion (many folks on the road aren't terribly bright!!!). On our 1962 car, I added indicators on little brackets that drop down from the rear bumper mounts. They're discrete, but much more visible than the flashing brake lights.

[twincamman]

Have a look here:
http://morrisminorowners.co.uk/viewtopi ... hts#p76849

[MorrisMinor-65-1000]

^^

That's a very clever solution indeed! Might pirate that for the rear reflectors on my P6. Thanks for sharing.

[Matt Tomkins]

Have a look here:
http://morrisminorowners.co.uk/viewtopi ... hts#p76849

i like that... alot!