Side Marker Lights

Well I was on my way home from a Christmas party at about 7pm the other night and came to a 2 way stop, at a 4 way intersection. Just as I started into the intersection, I was almost T-boned by a SUV. I hit the gas swerved and went into a shallow ditch full of water. The driver of the SUV did not have his lights on. He did turn around and pulled me out with his towrope. He and his wife were so sorry. The car was dirty and wet but no real damage. I almost had a heart attack. The driver of the SUV said that he didn

The call is completely up to you. I am glad to hear that first off you were not hit, and secondly the guy actually stopped to help. I don't think any light on the side of you car would have helped in this particular case. You better not waste your money on a lotto ticket since you used up your luck.

If you look at the side of your car at night with the lights on, you will notice that the glass sides of the headlight light up almost like a "side light" and although small, the taillights do the same thing. I personally would continue do drive the way you have been.

But if you really want a side marker, there are some cool old VW ones out there. I think BMW had some too. I would stick with something that looks like it might have been an upgrade on the car. Maybe Porsche has something that can change over.

It also sounds like you listened when growing up," look both ways before crossing the steet".

I have dwelled on that one for quite some time , I just don't see any good place I would care to have marker lights on the body of the car, ecept as a third brake light.

I even concidered tucking them in the wheel wells where they would only be seen at night. I just didn't like that one eather.
I've been playing with a molding tip idea with leds inbedded in finished end peaces. but a lot cars here don't have any trim.

Keep me posted maybe someone will stumble onto a good clean looking idea.

This is more common to custom bugs that have been dechromed & demarkered.
Depending on the cars road angle at the intersection. a on coming car may not see you. I've seen it happen to me on one of my old customs. I went back redrilled and put the markers back on.

I to was lucky.

On my 1995 IM, it came with side marker lights. Henry puts them on his European and Japanese export cars. They throw the look off a bit but they do help. On my marker lighs, they were from a mid 90's 911. I also know that MHW makes a nice kit in clear/smoke or yellow. I bought them for a different project from PG Performance.

Good thread here but I think I'll use the old "look before you leap" thing. The side markers really would mar the looks of the car in my humble opinion. Those that live in congested metro areas may decide to
bite the bullet and have them put on. Myself I'll continue to use my .50 cal Browning mounted on the bonnet to clear the inattentive from the road.

Bruce

Maybe you can go with small sude marker lights that are aftermarket "Tuner Crowd" LED side marker lights most automotive stores have them and they are small surface mounted lights

Put in a couple of street glow lights under the car and no one will ever miss you at night again.....of course you run the danger of looking like some stupid kid on, "Too fast Too furious"

David, in Dr. Thiriar's book on page 57 there's a picture of a speedster with a side marker light above the speedster script. Eddie

David: Your car looks pretty stock - ie; no flared fenders or radical custom work - so this may be a tough decision for you as opposed to those of us who have "outlaws" or "californians" which often look better with aftermarket bits added.

I had been considering side markers (actually side directionals to be exact) and looked at all of my books and never found a "real" 356 with 'em. Even so, I thought the late model VW side markers looked reasonably "German" and, with the clear lens and colored bulb they fit the white of my car. Might look cool against your Silver tub. I had been thinking of mounting them ahead of the door and right below the side chrome trim , about where they are on a VW Passat (although an earlier post mentioned that they'd seen a picture of one mounted above the trim) - since they're obviously pretty rare on 356's and it's your car, I guess you get what you want and mount 'em where you think they look good.

Let us know what you decide. Maybe you'll start a movement.

Gordon

356's delivered originally to Italy were required to have "side marker" lamps.

Interesting, seen any pic.s of the Italian marker lights instalation. Now that is something we do need to have made up.

I did check the Johnson book and had no luck.But do suspect they used earlier 356 parts like the 1952 rear retangliar lens or the 1949 park lamps that had 3 screws.

Glenn and the rest of you Southern Californians!!

Y'all don't know how lucky you are to have the wealth of VW shops available out there.

Most of the old AC VW shops here in New England have long since moved over to the Harley crowd and it's getting really hard to find anyone left who (a.) has the knowlege and ability and, (b.) wants to take time away from their bread and butter cycle work to deal with any VW stuff. Same is true for parts. I got over 80% of my needed parts on two trips to LA and within 45 minutes of the Anaheim Hilton. The stuff I got in New England was fasteners (nuts, bolts, etc.) tires and tools (thank God for Sears/Craftsman!!)

I got a clearance catalog from Moss Motors out there this week (about the biggest and oldest supplier of British Car Parts in the US) and, while they continue to provide British parts, they're also branching out into the Japanese "muscle car" market (to the consternation of their die-hard British customers!!). Times may change but the enthusiasts remain the same!

Just don't get me started on our lovely New England weather!!!! Hope to get the speedster out today - clear and about 50 F on the "right" coast! Heading to Bristol to see the departure of a solo around the world sailor!!

Gordon

Just a thought David . . . how about something put into the ends of the bumper trim - you know at the very ends, but just before the end chrome part? The rubber trim insert is removable, so it could be re-worked, then installed back on the bumper. As far as wiring, the wires could be tucked away inside the bumper, and the electrical connections should be a breeze, as it would all be hidden anyway. I am in NJ and was considering this very setup, as here everyone is in a hurry and has a "get the %&^#@ outta my way" 'tude. I have found that I will probably need to use those mini-LED lights, as I can't find stock type lights/lenses to fit in that narrow trim area on the bumper. Hope this helps!

Tough call looks-wise.
The Euro versions & gray market 911s had a little amber marker on the side maybe an inch by an inch and a half, it didn't seem to disrupt the car's lines. Maybe something similar under the belt line trim where the speedster script is wouldn't be so damaging?

Although I like the idea of old-looking chrome-framed units of any sort for their period appearance... an my hat's off to those who are clever and nimbe enough to integrate a light into the trim, that seems tits to me for the classic guys.

Who wants to be the first to install a set of old Buick or Oldsmobile (1954-6?) 'eyeballs' down the side...you could open up the body and insert lights inside, Oh yeah, retro baby

Paul,

Are you talking about the "porthole" on Buicks of the late 40's and into the 50's. 3 portholes for the Specials and Supers and 4 for the Roadmasters. That was always an easy way to identify if your neighbor was a highroller or a wannabe. In the Midwest, where I grew up, Buicks were king. I know my Dad had several, a 51,53, and 57, all 3 holers!
Kinda sounds like an outhouse doesn't it? Don't know how they would look on the flank of a tub, especially lit up at night. Somebody want to do one so we can judge? Promise we won't laugh until later when you have your back turned!

Bruce

Thank you Glen for jogging my memoery. Knew I had seen somethinh like that on some kinda vw. I just couldn't remember
Glen what year are you thinking of. Could you post a pic so I am sure we are thinking of the same parts

If it is not what I had in mind I may just design a part and send you the patterns and make them for the front and rear moldings.

Check out IM's site. Front page under "Showroom / Looks" shows
a Dk green Roadster with small rectangular orange lights down low on the front fender, just in front of the doors. Nicely done.
www.intermeccanica.com/show_r.html

Yeah Portholes...gotta love 'em, so rakish! GM was so cavalier!

I looked up the pic that Eddie referrenced and indeed that is a good looking period piece, captioned as a must have in some European countries... placement, if not mandated, could have been below the script or as suggested elsewhere down near the fender well.

Sheesh! All this time I thought just made the Cavalier - must be best of both worlds.

We used to remember what certain cars looked like at dark, of course then they all had those big gleaming chrome bumpers, front and rear. Some of the grills had big knobs on 'em too. I think we called them Dagmars after a 50's TV bimbo that had oversized boobs and a crop of wonderful bleached hair. Oh, how our teen age minds would fantasize!

Do any current auto makers use chrome bumpers any longer? I don't remember seeing one on a new car in ages. Guess that would be the ultimate trivial pursuit question. Indentify the last chrome bumpered car. Kind of miss them but guess that dates me!

Bruce

I remember that the best ability to spot cars after dark was knowing the oncoming headlight/grill configuration of the local cops. Saved my butt a number of times. It's also funny how much the headlights of newbeetles look like oncoming 911's.........

Dagmar - wasn't she the secretary for some private detective? If it's the one I'm thinking of, we never saw her face, only those legs and body!

gn

Gordon,

You may right about the Dagmar you remember but the one I was refering to was on some variety show. And you for sure would remember her memorable headlights. They were almost scandelous in the early 50's. It seems she always wore a low cut evening gown and now I can't even remember if she had legs!

Bruce

The best looking side markers would be from a VW Type 3 (Notchback, Fastback or Squareback) They are the same size as the side trim. Just trim your side moulding 3" and insert the markers in-line. From a distance, they integrate with the moulding, but at night, they're easily seen. Draw back is that they're fairly expensive at $80/pr for entire asemblies. The lenses are available in all Red (US version) or White/Red (Euro version) Since your in the LA area David, try Bill & Steve's located in Bellflower, They're the Type 3 experts.

Think you're right, Paul. Proof reading probably wouldn't hurt either, seems there should be a GM between 'thought and just'... whattsa mother to do?

Am watching this thread closly, clearance lights are good (for most other drivers), am lookin for an inoffensive set up -IMHO. They aren't a catchall though, there are drivers out there who's hood you could whack with a REALLY big hammer and they still wouldn't know you were there.
Ducking ability and use of the loud pedal has so far for me minimumized damage. Would rather have the incident of my choosing as opposed to the one offered me by the other party.

All right Bill, relax, breathe deep...
So how many guys can remember goofin' out after dark and developing the ability of identifyin' oncoming cars by headlamp configurations, grille gleen, etc... Detroit after dark, Oh shit, it's your (her) parents, run!

These are some aftermarket motorcycle side marker lights. I replaced the amber bulb with clear and use them as back-up lights. They are aprox. 1" X 2". They only require a 3/4 dimeter hole to be drilled and are held on by a large plstic nut. There is a foam gasket to seal against the body.

I don't remember where I got them, but I do remember they had alot of other colors and styles.

I'll dig through my recipts if you want more info.

Jerome

Now we are getting some where. these are the 1966 type 3 side marker that I was first trying to remember.

I like the fact they can be used for back up lamps also . NICE!!

Jerome I really like that light can you please see if you can find the supplier for us, And I want to thank all of you for the great ideas. I also like the side markers from the Notch. However, if it ever broke it would be too hard to replace. I do hope you all have a happy new year and be safe look both ways, flash your lights honk your horn then cross the road. See you all at KNOTTS IN 2004 !!!

YES PLEASE.!!
I have second dibbs on the supplier info . I just made a round on thr web to come back here to ask Who still carries them.

I like the way they match the rear tail lights.

It might be a good idea to send a pic of that marker light to the Taillight King.

I kinda think he's got someting simular in stock. but I need to cofirm it.

Newport Cycle Parts

www.newportcycleparts.com/categories/electrical/turn_sigs-flush.htm

Mine are the "Flush Mount IV / Medium / Single Filiment / Clear"

$18+shipping (Set of two)

The IV comes in....
....4 sizes
....red, amber, clear or smoke
....single or double filiment.

Get a set of amber and a set of red. With the double filiment then you could have parking lights and turn signals!

Hope this helps,

Jerome

Here is a tidy little unit, check it out:
eBay item #2451435983 and because it is MoPar, it shouldn't command a real high price

Those motorcyle universal marker lights are manufactured by Lockhart/Phillips USA in San Clemente, CA If you visit any motorcycle retailer, they should have them in stock.

I'd realy like to see Glenn take a peace of molding 2 1/2"long and mold some amber ones that the side moldings can slip on .

The finished unit would be 30 mm long and would blend in perfect to the body line that was my other idea.