Backup lights

[JAC]

How many of you put the backup lights on their classic? Any Pics?

[Jon Miller]

"What is behind you does not matter.....", or something like that, from Gumball Rally.

I don't have backup lights, but the guy down the street put one on his Factory Five. It's from a Mini Cooper, and it does look good, but not exactly "period correct". It's a single oval that mounts flush with the body, sorry no pics. Google "Mini Cooper" and you'll find a pic.

-Jon

[JAC]

Thanks Jon. I'm building a Classic Roadster and it came with backup lights. I have only seen one so far with them on. Don't know if I want to go with them or not. One of the many decisions in building one of these wonderful beasts.

[Tim Brewer]

Most do not...

[pgermond]

I guess it depends on your state's registration requirements (unless of course you want back up lights). To-date, I have not seen back up lights on a Cobra.... Mustangs, yes...... Cobras, No.

[Sydney]

I found some clear Lucas lights that matched my tail lights that I used for backup lights on my Shell Valley. They work pretty good.

[buildride]

I installed backup lights on my Shell Valley 427 Cobra. It was a requirement for passing the safety inspection before the DMV would complete the registration (California Car). You cannot see the backup lights unless you get on your knees and look up towards the sides of the fuel tank as they are mounted to brackets that locate them just aft of the wheel wells. I used a pair of Lazer Star Billet Lights using a 20 watt halogen bulb with clear lens. They are about 2 1/4" in dia. and are bullet shaped polished billet aluminum (Cost $100 for the pair). They look similar to a motorcyle turn signal and have a pivotable mounting post on one side for mounting (Wires run threw the munting post). Mounting bracket is 1" wide 3/16" thick stainless steel and is bent into a "L" shape. Long portion of bracket mounts to the rear of the rear wheel well positioned so that the light is unobstructed by the fuel tank or other brackets that would block the light. Short part of the bracket mounts the light's mounting post. Aiming the lights is a simple matter of sighting down the rear of the car about twenty feet away and making sure that you can see the lights while keeping your eyes about 15" to 20" above the ground. Use a relay between the backup switch in your transmission and your lights as the total 40 watt load may burn the contacts of your backup switch. Make sure that you use a fused electrical circuit to supply power to the lights. Cool setup in that you cannot see the lights unless you are really looking for them and they work great... very bright. No problem seeing what's behind me. Hope this helps.

[Yetiman]

I have an Arntz, but I have a single reverse light under my car on the drivers side. It is very covert, only really noticable when it turns on.
It was a required piece of equipment in Wisconsin (though a defroster is also and I don't have one of those).

It was lifted from a mid 70's Honda Civic.
Look below the drivers side tail lights. On the many pictures of my car this is the only one where you can actually see what it looks like. On most it's just something in the shadow under the car.

[JAC]

Thanks for the pictures guys. Sydney the round ones look nice, go with the tail lights. Where did you find them?

[Sydney]

JAC,

My tail lights and back up lights are the Lucas model L-488. Finishline has them.

Sydney

[JAC]

Thanks Sydney.

[HI Cobra]

JAC,

I'm late chiming in here - just saw this thread. I put the back up lights on
mine. Never thought about them either being on or off these Cobras. They
have come in handy and nobody has ever said anything about them one way
or the other in six years so I'm not about to worry about them now. Mine
are small rectangular ones that fit either side of the license plate real low.
I don't have a picture but they are what Classic Roadsters sent in 1999.

[JAC]

Thanks HI Cobra, I've seen those on a friends cobra. The new ones are round fog lights you mount on the frame, and they hang down. I would like something that looks more "factory" looking.

[arctic-snake]

Here is a picture of mine with the back-up lights. Tehy were on the Cobra when I purchased the car,.

[HI Cobra]

artic-snake - those are just like mine.

[Greg Haile]

Jac,

Due to popular request Everett Morrison has B/U lights on all their new Generation IV models and they look great. Pics on their web site.

Greg