They are easier to see in the dark . . . even the ones you can't see in the daylight. I'd bet that most rear end collisions happen in daytme. Aside from the third light bit, I've always been surprised at the guys who build very nice cars and run exceptionally small and hard to see lights. Not talking about the 39 Ford & 50 Pontiac taillights, but about small and narrow lights sunk into the body. Looks cl***y, but not too bright . . . in all aspects of the word....
Since we're talking about brake and taillights here, perhaps this would be enlightening for some. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=187627&highlight=Light+Tech
I used a Safety Star on Sue's 29A RP and just added a light. A lot of people mention it so i guess they must see it !!! On my Teardrop trailer i just used a Teardrop light to match the others.
I agree with C9, people expect to see a brake light in the rear window. I hate to see them on "Traditional" cars too but I'm afraid they have become a necessity these days as the general public has become trained to look for one as a cue to brake. Hell, be creative and make everybody want to have one just like yours and in 30 or 40 years it'll be traditional. Problem solved. BTW, I don't have pics (I'm not that far along yet) but, I plan to put 2 or 3 bullet holes in the upper rear of my T body and run some really bright LED's deep inside them. Hopefully they'll only be visible at night while braking. <!-- / message -->
above the doors is a late model strip light, works relly well, maybe a bit modern though for some on here!!
A traditional hot rod with a third brake light is kinda like a woman with a third-****... not what I would want for my own, but kinda fun to look at. Sam.
I can tell you that the 3rd brake light is out on my 97 Explorer and people are trained to look for it and not the regualr brake lights. Ive been almost hit more than a few times in just the past 4 months it has been out than the entire life of the vehicle! Im talking Screeching brake locking stops from ****s on cell phones behind me. Yes, the rest of all my lights work fine.
My whole thought is that if the guy (or gal) behind you missed the two other brake lights, they won't see the third one either.
A different look on my '29 Phaeton. The evil red eyes are actually the 3rd brake lites. They are jewel lensed so they are rather bright. Now, tell me this takes away the traditionl look of the rear! the ****ster
I got the new R&C today in the mail and they have an interesting artical about casting your own brake light lens' useing a Ford emblem as a mold. They used a transparent resin dyed red for the lens and made it for a third brake light. It looked like a whole lot of posabilities for custom lights.
Some of the solutions here are very innovative and fit in perfectly with the styling of the cars.Very Nice! I don't think it is about the number of lights as much as placement, and frankly some vintage cars had very poor placement of the original lights. To the people that posted their well thought out solutions, Thank you. Alden
Sorry, but I gotta disagree with ya on that. I think that by adding a different visual element like a third light may be more attention grabbing than merely having two tail lights that are already on get brighter. Its the change in the light pattern that makes a difference. As far as traditional, take a look at the "Teleoptic" posting today; there were all kinds of interesting aftermarket brakelights sold way back when to make driving a little safer. Adding an extra light doesn't mean it has to stick out like a sore thumb, that is, until you step on the brakes! The whole idea is to get the other driver's attention. Later,
How about all the SUVs that are running around with both brake lights burned out and the only one working is the third brake light. Idiots.
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