Anyone been stopped for having red indicators?
Discussion
I was told off about it once but not nicked (I had been stopped for driving a vette with the front fogs on - looks good though! - when the friendly copper noticed my rear indicators). I just pleaded ignorance at the time.
I just bought some pretty cool "bubble lens covers" for my rear lights from Ecklers and they do look real good IMHO.
In my naievity (not sure if that's spelt right)I thought I could run 4 rear lights while displaying a (sort of) orange rear indicator when my mega bright euro indicators flashed behind the covers. Still looks pretty red to me though you'd have to be blind as a bat to miss the whole light flashing!
How much of a nick is it? Also anyone know anything about size/ placement of rear indicators? I was thinking of keeping 4 red lights and fitting some amber LEDs maybe in the rear window (like a TVR Tuscan{?}) or low down by the bumper, just above the exhaust.
Been searching the net for MOT regulations but can only find general stuff.
I just bought some pretty cool "bubble lens covers" for my rear lights from Ecklers and they do look real good IMHO.
In my naievity (not sure if that's spelt right)I thought I could run 4 rear lights while displaying a (sort of) orange rear indicator when my mega bright euro indicators flashed behind the covers. Still looks pretty red to me though you'd have to be blind as a bat to miss the whole light flashing!
How much of a nick is it? Also anyone know anything about size/ placement of rear indicators? I was thinking of keeping 4 red lights and fitting some amber LEDs maybe in the rear window (like a TVR Tuscan{?}) or low down by the bumper, just above the exhaust.
Been searching the net for MOT regulations but can only find general stuff.
All IMO but personally I've always properly converted the lamps on my Corvettes because,
a. I did want some idiot stoving into the back of me if they got 'confused' by the flashing reds.
b. In the event of a major accident would the insurance company use it as an excuse not to pay out? - would the MOT technically be valid?
c. I didn't want to attract any more attention. The red rears do look pretty cool though..
a. I did want some idiot stoving into the back of me if they got 'confused' by the flashing reds.
b. In the event of a major accident would the insurance company use it as an excuse not to pay out? - would the MOT technically be valid?
c. I didn't want to attract any more attention. The red rears do look pretty cool though..
I think if you go into it in depth a lot depends on which year it was made and which year it was imported. Nige got pulled the other year for having red indicators, which was quite amazing because he hadn't had cause to use them until plod put the blues on ! Nothing whatsoever happened as a result though.
Best of both worlds for legality and good looks on a C4/C5 is the split red and amber rear lights. You keep four red tail and brake lights and get four amber indicators. It seems to be getting harder to get these now though, as the last couple of catalogues that I looked at from Ecklers/Mid America didn't advertise them any more. When they were available, they were about £50 each (£200 the set) new. Look on ebay etc and they may turn up. (Don't forget the fog lights)
Got stopped for my number plate once (got done aswell 
)Funny thing was he didnt say a word about the rear lights or my rather noisy corsa exhaust,it was at night aswell
BTW,while he was doing me and getting his tape out and measuring the No plate some guy rode past on his bike......on the pavement!,No lights!, and bib didnt say a dickie bird to him
)Funny thing was he didnt say a word about the rear lights or my rather noisy corsa exhaust,it was at night aswell BTW,while he was doing me and getting his tape out and measuring the No plate some guy rode past on his bike......on the pavement!,No lights!, and bib didnt say a dickie bird to him
Unfortunately the "split" rear lights are for 91-96 vettes (+90 up ZR1s). My car is a 90 with the circular lights. Also a PIG to remove because unlike the square lights which have external screws, on the 84-90 vette you need to access screws behind the light by removing the number plate and reversing lights and squeezing your hand in with a skinny wrench!
I've also got to the inner rears by removing the fuel filler assembly but that results in even more lost skin!
I've also got to the inner rears by removing the fuel filler assembly but that results in even more lost skin!
Malc, for what worth I'm with Chris on this one. I have always made sure the rear lights are correct (not too bothered about the front) for three reasons.
It reduces police attention, it avoids hassle at MOT time and there can be no misunderstanding from behind when you are indicating. The latter is particularly the case living in Bournemouth where the average age of the residents is even older than me. My 1992 had red indicators until I changed them as I was always paranoid about someone running into the back of me saying they didn't notice me indicating. The insurance companies would also have a lot to say mostly to my disadvantage, I feel.
Furthermore, my 92 also had orange running lights at the front. They were disconnected when someone pulled out in front of me as they had obviously caught a glimpse of orange and thought I was turning. Driving that car was like being back on a bike again, constantly trying to avoid those that weren't paying attention.
It reduces police attention, it avoids hassle at MOT time and there can be no misunderstanding from behind when you are indicating. The latter is particularly the case living in Bournemouth where the average age of the residents is even older than me. My 1992 had red indicators until I changed them as I was always paranoid about someone running into the back of me saying they didn't notice me indicating. The insurance companies would also have a lot to say mostly to my disadvantage, I feel.
Furthermore, my 92 also had orange running lights at the front. They were disconnected when someone pulled out in front of me as they had obviously caught a glimpse of orange and thought I was turning. Driving that car was like being back on a bike again, constantly trying to avoid those that weren't paying attention.
Looks like the general opinion is to be legal.
Find it hard to believe anyone could miss a flashing light, amber or red, especially on a C4 where the whole light is flashing (it's a BIG light!)
Personally I find it hard to see some of those cr*p clear indicators on some modern cars, and the high mounted indicators of some cars are great from a distance but sometimes not immediately noticeable if you're real close in traffic.
Nige, interesting to see you covered 45,000 miles in your car without getting a pull. Maybe even if the cops saw it flashing they'd excercise some common sennse.
Shame the problem only really exists with the 84-90 as other C4s and C5s have rather neat "split" lenses available.
I'm looking at some small but bright amber LED options. It would be nice to have 4 red rear lights and 5 brakelights - surely no-one could ever run into the back of a car with 5 brakelights (4 massive circular ones and one roof mounted!)
Did you know our American friends have an abbreviation for everything (like Jap motorcycle manufacturers)? The roof mounted brakelight is a CHMSL (Central High Mounted Stop Light!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Find it hard to believe anyone could miss a flashing light, amber or red, especially on a C4 where the whole light is flashing (it's a BIG light!)
Personally I find it hard to see some of those cr*p clear indicators on some modern cars, and the high mounted indicators of some cars are great from a distance but sometimes not immediately noticeable if you're real close in traffic.
Nige, interesting to see you covered 45,000 miles in your car without getting a pull. Maybe even if the cops saw it flashing they'd excercise some common sennse.
Shame the problem only really exists with the 84-90 as other C4s and C5s have rather neat "split" lenses available.
I'm looking at some small but bright amber LED options. It would be nice to have 4 red rear lights and 5 brakelights - surely no-one could ever run into the back of a car with 5 brakelights (4 massive circular ones and one roof mounted!)
Did you know our American friends have an abbreviation for everything (like Jap motorcycle manufacturers)? The roof mounted brakelight is a CHMSL (Central High Mounted Stop Light!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
The split amber/reds and also the split clear/reds are still available in the US for the C5. www.exit28motorsports.com/ have a set which includes a plug and play harness. 30 min job to fit and very easy, if you like the look. Ecklers have the red/clear at about $30 each if you want to go Euro fit.
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