Center stop light.

miniceptor86

miniceptor86

Senior Member
I was thinking about adding a somewhat high mounted center stop light above the license plate on my 39 standard. I like the looks of the ‘32 light with “STOP” on the upper half. Has anyone else done this? What did you use for mounting the light? Ya, I know I’m crazy, my wife keeps me well aware of that. But since the car has a lot of what’s old is new again like the column mounted steering lock and ignition switch, steering wheel mounted controls OK it’s lights not cruise and volume, why not a center mount somewhat high mounted stop light?
 
miniceptor86 said:
I was thinking about adding a somewhat high mounted center stop light above the license plate on my 39 standard. I like the looks of the ‘32 light with “STOP” on the upper half. Has anyone else done this? What did you use for mounting the light? Ya, I know I’m crazy, my wife keeps me well aware of that. But since the car has a lot of what’s old is new again like the column mounted steering lock and ignition switch, steering wheel mounted controls OK it’s lights not cruise and volume, why not a center mount somewhat high mounted stop light?
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Check your local regulations as to how high or how low the center light can be to be legal.
 
I'm real happy with my license plate light mod. I also have LEDs in the original buckets. 12 volt system.

Look for motorcycle license or tag LED strips or tag support
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Seem to recall this from federal regs.


The high-mounted stop lamp must (1) be red; (2) have an effective projected luminous area of at least 4.5 square inches; (3) meet certain technical performance specifications; (4) be located on the vertical centerline of the vehicle when viewed from the rear; and (5) be located either in the rear window or, if mounted below the rear window, no lower than six inches below the rear window on convertibles or three inches on all other cars. The lamp must be at least 34 inches above road level on multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses.
 
I believe regulations are meaningless in this application. This is not a required item on this vehicle. These regulations do not apply. I'm not a lawyer, but I believe a home made stop light is not going to be any more of a violation than the forties Chrysler product's stop light above the license plate.
 
JayChicago said:
I believe regulations are meaningless in this application. This is not a required item on this vehicle. These regulations do not apply. I'm not a lawyer, but I believe a home made stop light is not going to be any more of a violation than the forties Chrysler product's stop light above the license plate.
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For how, I presume, most of us use these vehicles OEM equipment is allowed, (so called grandfather clause) at least in WA state. There are stipulations such as speed on the Interstate (one must be able to keep up with traffic and such) but when driving my Avatar '32 without directional signals I've never had any issues when making turns including in sight of LEO's. It's unclear if other drivers understand hand signals but caution must be used and usually I get a thumbs up. As these cars generally are used for pleasure and show it's likely not a cop in the world would pull you over on your trip, at least in my rural area. Adding safety equipment is always a good idea but I can't imagine retro fitting, say airbags.
 
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JayChicago said:
I believe regulations are meaningless in this application. This is not a required item on this vehicle. These regulations do not apply. I'm not a lawyer, but I believe a home made stop light is not going to be any more of a violation than the forties Chrysler product's stop light above the license plate.
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Yes, this is not a required item but when so equipped they are supposed to meet standards and regulations as set forth by the regulations.
 
51 MERC-CT said:
Check your local regulations as to how high or how low the center light can be to be legal.
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Local regs are a no-go. feds set rules for lighting, etc. any way a third brake light gets the brake light up in the view of people behind you. I will not drive an antique car without 3rd brake light and seat belts btw it's called a center high mount stop lamp by the feds.
 
fordor41 said:
Local regs are a no-go. feds set rules for lighting, etc. any way a third brake light gets the brake light up in the view of people behind you. I will not drive an antique car without 3rd brake light and seat belts btw it's called a center high mount stop lamp by the feds.
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Local state regs in my state are the same as Fed. regs which I believe gives the state the power to enforce.

I also have third brake light and 3 point seat belts.
 
36rgtop said:
Yes, this is not a required item but when so equipped they are supposed to meet standards and regulations as set forth by the regulations.
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I would argue that even if there was nothing stating that the regulations should be met, it's still a good idea to in this case since this regulation establishes what people are expecting to see on a subconscious level. If you put it well outside that area, it might not occur to them that it's a brake light.

Kind of like how some people are putting in electronic units that make their brake lights blink for the first few seconds, then go solid. When I see them blinking, I think the driver's foot is very lightly on the brakes and it is flickering on and off because that is what my brain has been trained to think over decades of driving. Caught me off guard when one of those cars was braking hard.

Just my two cents.
 
Although it did not seem to help, check the reflective tape location on my avatar. It is easily seen by any Alert (?) driver. Available at Harbor Freight
 
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