was surfing today and came across this site.
www.thirdbrakelight.com/cabriolet.htm
Looks like a good idea, won't create an aesthetic problems being that it is mounted in the grill.
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was surfing today and came across this site.
www.thirdbrakelight.com/cabriolet.htm
Looks like a good idea, won't create an aesthetic problems being that it is mounted in the grill.
www.thirdbrakelight.com/cabriolet.htm
Looks like a good idea, won't create an aesthetic problems being that it is mounted in the grill.
Too expensive. I bought an LED brake light from UAP for $14.00. 1 5/8 high and about 4.5" long. Works great and fits under the grill like a charm.
Dale Bates has a grill-mounted third light. I think he posted it as a 'How-to'sometime back...
Gabriel, Mid America Motorworks has a third brake light for the
86-89 911 Cabriolet that mounts on the body. They have 2 models.
They are not cheap ($150.00-180.00) but look cool. Not a bad idea
in the land of SUV's and cell phones.
86-89 911 Cabriolet that mounts on the body. They have 2 models.
They are not cheap ($150.00-180.00) but look cool. Not a bad idea
in the land of SUV's and cell phones.
Cheryl Saunders has a third brake light mounted just under the grill on her silver Intermccanica classic. Henry did his usual fantastic job installing it. It's almost not visible until Cheryl steps on the the brake pedal.
Of course, if you install a luggage rack and load it up your only going to see a glow.
Of course, if you install a luggage rack and load it up your only going to see a glow.
I had to create a smaller 3rd brake light to get the engine grill to fit after making the frame that the luggage rack mounts to. After putting suit case on the luggage rack and realizing that I no longer could see the 3rd brake light I made another one that could plug into the leads for the original 3rd brake light and mount ontop of the suitcase
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Sorry...but I don't see the appeal of the third brake light. Unless it's the law where you live, why bother?
Beth,
I think most of us feel rather light deprived in the Speedster or Spyder. The tail lights are very low on a low sitting car. With all the giant SUV's and pickups on the road these days I think we are looking for a little more visibility. I have been researching getting one and think it is a prudent action item. I think the ones in the grill make the most sense since they are higher on the car and basically inviible until the lights go on. Don't know about you but I cringe everytime I have a Expedition or the like behind me and the driver is on the cell phone or applying makeup. 3rd light makes sense to a lot of us.
West Coast Bruce
I think most of us feel rather light deprived in the Speedster or Spyder. The tail lights are very low on a low sitting car. With all the giant SUV's and pickups on the road these days I think we are looking for a little more visibility. I have been researching getting one and think it is a prudent action item. I think the ones in the grill make the most sense since they are higher on the car and basically inviible until the lights go on. Don't know about you but I cringe everytime I have a Expedition or the like behind me and the driver is on the cell phone or applying makeup. 3rd light makes sense to a lot of us.
West Coast Bruce
For me, the appeal is for anything which will help get the driver behind you to pay attention to your actions (ie. stopping) which goes beyond the brake lights already provided with the car. I have a third light, but it is in the "backup light" assembly, LED lights in fact. The first time I hear screeching behind me, I will explore another one mounted higher. Whatever you lose in classic eye appeal sure beats wearing the front end of an H2 on your backside.
just my 2 kroner
John H.
just my 2 kroner
John H.
Why a third brake light? to avoid hearing the sound of screaching brakes, the smell of burning rubber, the cracking of the fiberglass and then hearing "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there"
Beth:
I thought long and hard about what I wanted for a third brake light and how it might "fit in" to the cars' flowing lines. Having already had a few accidents (I was always on a ten speed, they were usually in BIG cars or Pickup trucks) I really wanted something that could be SEEN, but would also look good.
I ended up with the third light from a 90's vintage Chrysler product, as I thought it fit the lines of the Speedster and could easily be painted to match. It's also big, at 2" high by 6" wide and sits right on the top of the rear cowl.
I was thrilled when one time I was pulling into a parking lot and was followed in by a lady in an Expedition who walked over and said "I was looking at your cute little (her word) car and mesmerized until I saw that brake light come on and then I hit the brakes HARD!"
Thank You, third brake light.
I thought long and hard about what I wanted for a third brake light and how it might "fit in" to the cars' flowing lines. Having already had a few accidents (I was always on a ten speed, they were usually in BIG cars or Pickup trucks) I really wanted something that could be SEEN, but would also look good.
I ended up with the third light from a 90's vintage Chrysler product, as I thought it fit the lines of the Speedster and could easily be painted to match. It's also big, at 2" high by 6" wide and sits right on the top of the rear cowl.
I was thrilled when one time I was pulling into a parking lot and was followed in by a lady in an Expedition who walked over and said "I was looking at your cute little (her word) car and mesmerized until I saw that brake light come on and then I hit the brakes HARD!"
Thank You, third brake light.
Another option you might consider to get the attention of inattentive "tailgaters".
I used to carry a tube of B.B.'s and when someone would persist to follow too closely, even after I pumped my brake pedal, I'd let a couple of dozen B.B.s roll off the roof of my car. Paint balls work nicely, too. But they don't make as much noise.
I used to carry a tube of B.B.'s and when someone would persist to follow too closely, even after I pumped my brake pedal, I'd let a couple of dozen B.B.s roll off the roof of my car. Paint balls work nicely, too. But they don't make as much noise.
The third brake light is a win win add on. The light is close to being eye level. Those little old ladies that cannot see over the hood of the ol'Lincoln would appreciate it. The speedster lights are bright though a bit on the small side. You can pick up a red LED from most discount auto stores and install it behind the grill . The chrome tends to enhance the intensity of the light. I went with a more smooth look. I used a ford taurus wagon third light and glassed it into place. I have a later model Toyota Pickup third brake light if some one is interested.
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The third brake light is a win win add on. The light is close to being eye level. Those little old ladies that cannot see over the hood of the ol'Lincoln would appreciate it. The speedster lights are bright though a bit on the small side. You can pick up a red LED from most discount auto stores and install it behind the grill . The chrome tends to enhance the intensity of the light. I went with a more smooth look. I used a ford taurus wagon third light and glassed it into place. I have a later model Toyota Pickup third brake light if some one is interested.
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Sorry about the double post. The PC locked.
Bill, I guess I am a bit slow. I don't get the BB bit. What do you do? Ron
Ron, Try driving your Speedster at 60MPH with the top down. Take a penny and flip it up in the air while you are moving. The air velocity will take it away. Too bad the tailgater behind you is moving at 60 MPH. Wind velocity + Tailgater MPH = window chip. BB's are smaller and will cause paint chips. I may have never tried it though my car pool partner has. He shock the blank out of me when he started to flip pennys out the sunroof of his CTS.
I got the idea while traveling behind a dump truck with a load of fine gravel that was slipping through the tailgate.
You got Bill! Hopefully your windshield did not.
The brake light was one of the first things I did. Memories of sitting at the red light in my 56 TR3 getting hit by a mid 70's
Sedan Deville(read Boat) are fresh in my mind. Luckily my car being so light, he shoved me out in the intersection. Thank God no one was coming the other way or I would have been creamed. The car only sustained rear valance damage from the bumperettes being jammed into it. It wasn't even the clowns own car, had no insurance and there were warrants out for his arrest. He went bye-bye. My collision coverage covered it all.
BD
Sedan Deville(read Boat) are fresh in my mind. Luckily my car being so light, he shoved me out in the intersection. Thank God no one was coming the other way or I would have been creamed. The car only sustained rear valance damage from the bumperettes being jammed into it. It wasn't even the clowns own car, had no insurance and there were warrants out for his arrest. He went bye-bye. My collision coverage covered it all.
BD
Being a motorcycle commuter for the past 30 years, visibility is always on my mind. Them seeing me. I too added an LED bar inside the rear grille early in my ownership. It was also something to customize "my vehicle" with.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting at a dead stop on a curved freeway interchange ramp. Two lanes wide. Concrete retaining walls on both sides. I hear the screech of tires searching for traction. I crouch down. The errant Corvette was in the other lane. With the cars nose on the road under max braking he parked it UNDER the rear bumper of an old pickup truck. I was ten feet away.
In all my vehicles, I frequently pump my brakes just to activate the rear lamps and try to get others attention.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting at a dead stop on a curved freeway interchange ramp. Two lanes wide. Concrete retaining walls on both sides. I hear the screech of tires searching for traction. I crouch down. The errant Corvette was in the other lane. With the cars nose on the road under max braking he parked it UNDER the rear bumper of an old pickup truck. I was ten feet away.
In all my vehicles, I frequently pump my brakes just to activate the rear lamps and try to get others attention.
Attached is a photo of my new
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Bill:
Great ideas, beautiful car, congratulations
Very Jealous.
Great ideas, beautiful car, congratulations
Very Jealous.
Bill Drayer,
I've got an Led 3rd brake lite assembly coming from JC Whitney and debating where to mount it. Looking at your installation on the license plate frame seems pretty good, very visible. How did you mount the light to the frame? I guess mine is coming with double faced sticky tape but I think I'd like to add something a little more secure, especialy when putting the dust cover over Speedy!
Bruce
I've got an Led 3rd brake lite assembly coming from JC Whitney and debating where to mount it. Looking at your installation on the license plate frame seems pretty good, very visible. How did you mount the light to the frame? I guess mine is coming with double faced sticky tape but I think I'd like to add something a little more secure, especialy when putting the dust cover over Speedy!
Bruce
Bruce: The Light has the 3-M type of double faced tape on it and is stuck on there pretty good. The frame is made of metal as the plastic frames wouldn't keep my bowed plate straight. I drilled a small hole through the frame for the light leads.
BD
BD
Bill,
Thanks, will probably do the same as you! Great minds, eh?
Bruce
Thanks, will probably do the same as you! Great minds, eh?
Bruce
Bruce: I guess. I just couldn't see paying $80 for the fancy frame with the light built in it. Although I bought three frames to try, I still got away with less than $30.
BD
BD
I like Joe Soltis third brake light
and absolutely love that color paint on the car
AWESOME
He should start his own replica company and start building them in mass quantities
and absolutely love that color paint on the car
AWESOME
He should start his own replica company and start building them in mass quantities
Here's a photo of the third brake light I just added. It came from J.C. Whitney catalog.
I had to do a little surgery to the grill to get it to fit.
Greg B.
I had to do a little surgery to the grill to get it to fit.
Greg B.
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I've been reading this thread for awhile, what do you think about mounting the third brake light flush with the body above the grill? I think Joe's light is sweet but i like the flush look. Any thoughts??
James
James
James,
My first thoughts were to get the light hidden but lighting up when brakes are hit. The more I thought about it,(over some months), I decided I wanted to sacrifice some estetics for more visability. After all that is what the light is supposed to do, a warning to those yahoos barrelling down on you! The more visible, the better.
My bias I guess! I'll post when I get it hooked up in a week or so!
West Coast Bruce
My first thoughts were to get the light hidden but lighting up when brakes are hit. The more I thought about it,(over some months), I decided I wanted to sacrifice some estetics for more visability. After all that is what the light is supposed to do, a warning to those yahoos barrelling down on you! The more visible, the better.
My bias I guess! I'll post when I get it hooked up in a week or so!
West Coast Bruce
This look like what you want?
Gordon,
I'm thinking I will mount the LED strip on my metal license plate frame ala Bill Drayer. Yours is obviously very visible when it goes on, what you want in my humble opinion. Thought about what you did but thought I'd try the LED strip first, very inexpensive and If I don't like it I may go to your scheme, Thanks!
Bruce
I'm thinking I will mount the LED strip on my metal license plate frame ala Bill Drayer. Yours is obviously very visible when it goes on, what you want in my humble opinion. Thought about what you did but thought I'd try the LED strip first, very inexpensive and If I don't like it I may go to your scheme, Thanks!
Bruce
I'll try to get a photo taken in the dark and post it later for now here's how it looks in action.
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I did the same as Bill George, but i put 2 8" led lights under the grill.
Gclarke "The vacaville Guy"
Gclarke "The vacaville Guy"
Henry is putting in the 3rd brake light on mine too (under the top edge of the grill (stealth) like Bill's. I think I'll feel a little better having a light "up" more at the level of most car's windshields. I think we all know the feeling of having an SUV too close behind in close driving situations.
I was against the idea at first. But the more you all have argued for it, the more it made sense. Thanks.
I am also going with a four point rollbar, much like GBs. I think there may be some small changes, mostly minor. It is a functional roll bar though. The shoulder belt will be coming from a mount on the roll bar.
JW
I was against the idea at first. But the more you all have argued for it, the more it made sense. Thanks.
I am also going with a four point rollbar, much like GBs. I think there may be some small changes, mostly minor. It is a functional roll bar though. The shoulder belt will be coming from a mount on the roll bar.
JW
For anyone who has a rollbar, I put mine under the top bar. On the rear view that's it just above the interior mirror. Nice and high and it shines through the rear window when the top's up.
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Just installed a 3rd brake light in my VS's grille as per this forum's direction! The JCWhitney unit could not have fit better. I simply drilled 4 holes & secured it with a couple of black plastic cable ties. PERFECT!