Driving at night

Tom from Drippin'

Tom from Drippin'

Senior Member
The accident on I 95 was apparently caused, at least partially, by not seeing the Model A truck from behind.
I'd like to share what I have on my cars when I must drive at night.
I've added both a right side tail light and quartz bulbs, but to get greater visibility from the rear, I have strips of red / white reflective tape on the rear bumpers and body of the car.

It's NOT what you are thinking.....

First...purchase the tape from your local auto parts store. About 1' wide.
Second....Go to a sign shop that makes magnetic signs. Ask about buying enough of their scraps to do 1 1/2" wide strips for both rear bumpers and a long strip for below the rear window.
Third....Stick the tape to the white side of the magnetic sign material.

So .... At dusk put the strips on the bumpers & car. No damage to chrome or paint. Store under the floor mats during daylight hours.
 
I for one keep Ms. Daisy off the roads well before dusk... Just too dark, too Amish buggy like to be seen well..
 
This '29 CCPU was assembled from parts and pieces. Note that there is a Ford logo stop light mounted in the wooden box. It is an LED light generally used on hitch receivers. I get plenty of positive comments on tours for this and the LED tail lights.
 

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Just don't drive at night! Don't drive on BUSY two lane roads and don't drive on the freeway....there are enough reasons to be injured without stacking the odds even higher!
 
There are a number of Model T guys that just stick the reflective tape on the rear axle tubes and leave it. If you have stainless steel rear bumper bars the magnetic backing may not stick so try it out before you need it. :)
 
I use a magnetic, battery operated, yellow blinking light that has several very bright LED lights. Not only at night but also in the early morning and at dusk. Also I stay off of interstates but back roads still have idiots on them too. The more warning we can give the other drivers the better off we all are including the other drivers.
 
The LED tail lights that everyone sells are the ticket, and brighter than my 2006 GMC. In the process of adding period correct turn signals too
 
I rarely drive at night by choice. My roadster came with dual tail lights when I bought it and I installed Snyders LED replacement lights that look exactly like originals. They are VERY bright and even brighter when the brakes are applied. Also added directionals and am pleased with the result. Even with these bright lights, driving at night in a model A, in my opinion, is not prudent........Flen
 
My vendor supplied LED all red taillites are every bit as bright as those on my modern car. I also have a Third Brake Light on my luggage rack.
All red is safer than attempting to teach the world about amber brake lights and red running lights. The LED directionals are particularly helpful when needing to get out of the left lanes on a highway since NO ONE knows about hand signals, particularly when trying to get to a right side lane. They all just wave back.:D
 
I added a passenger side tail light and got two each of amber and red battery operated L.E.D. lights that are used on bicycles. I expoxied small super magnets to them and use them as side marker lights.
When not driving at night I keep them on the seat riser behind the passengers heels. Model A's are pretty dark when viewed from the side.
I stick to well lit streets in town at night. After dark on a 55 mph rural road would not be a good idea with my AA truck with a crusing speed of 30 mph.
 
I drive at night all the time with no problem at all thank god. I drive the tollway and local highways. I run 60 watt halogens, led tail lights. 55wt fog lights and have no strips at all anywhere and have no issues.
 
I have the same lights front and rear as Mark, and drive very busy surface streets and freeways at night with no problems. It is hard to overemphasize just how bright and effective the two LED tail lights are.....a world of difference compared to a stock single light!
 
For Christmas one year one of the members of our club gave everyone a red blinking
multi led light that bicyclists use. You can see them from quite a distance day or night.
We use them all the time. They are mounted on the license plate thru one of the bolts.
 
What are you guys doing for brake lights
I have followed my mates 30 coupe during the day his brake light is so dim even knowing this I have almost rear ended him
and I know of at least 1 very well restored A that has been rear ended this year
Colin
 
colin1928 said:
What are you guys doing for brake lights
I have followed my mates 30 coupe during the day his brake light is so dim even knowing this I have almost rear ended him
and I know of at least 1 very well restored A that has been rear ended this year
Colin
Click to expand...

Does he have the correct bulb in the brake light socket?

When I drive my 28 at night, the road in back really lights up when I step on my brake, and I have the original single light. In fact, the original Ford script wrinkle bulb just burned out a few years ago.
 
Yes he has the correct bulb
It is not too bad on dull or cloudy days
on bright sunny day he is hard to see
I personally use 2 LED rear lights running/brake
which he dislikes says they look odd on an A
I agree but safety 1st
I did hear about wireless clip on LEDs wonder if anyone know about them ??
might be his birthday gift
 
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Stay off of the interstates unless you can sustain 55 mph and have extra rear lighting including 2 taillights, and extra centrally located bright red running light. Running at night requires a rear window shade on straight windshield cars & trucks.
 
colin1928 said:
What are you guys doing for brake lights
I have followed my mates 30 coupe during the day his brake light is so dim even knowing this I have almost rear ended him
and I know of at least 1 very well restored A that has been rear ended this year
Colin
Click to expand...


My RED LED brake light, combined with the LED Third Brakelite Bar is as bright as any other modern car's LED brake light. I see its reflection in signs BEHIND me in the mirror for at least 2/10 of a mile when braking or signalling.
I now can not imagine driving on Long Island highways at night without LEDs behind me.
 
As much as many may like having things as they were when the "A" lights were made,they are not safe an never will be again,other car moving much faster and there drivers are not looking for old lights[the glair from there texing phone make us harder to see],so yes I use some bright and big lights rear and front that are not stock,but I have a lot of fun driving day or nite.
 
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