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MG MGA - Third Brake Light

I took these photos of Charlie Hoch's third brake light last summer and forgot to post them. Easy to mount and dismount and visable through the rear window if the hood is up as well.

Bill Young

Another view:

Bill Young

We have all seen bicycle riders who have a red flashing light attached to the seat of their bikes. It makes them more visable to car drivers when riding at night. Well I use one in my MGA (when driving at night) by simply wearing my MG baseball cap and attching the flashing light to the back of the cap (with the clip on the light). I now have an extra little bit of protection, that draws divers attention to my presence, while on the highway. A couple of bucks invested and the only thing you need to do is to remember to turn off the unit when you leave the cat or the batteries run down. Would work great in convertables and coupes.
Gordon Harrison

I mounted the same light, purchased from J.C. Whitney, but mounted it on a bracket that attaches to the rear of the cockpit (no drilling holes) on both my Coupe and Roadster. Works great and not too noticable. Have a good day!

John

John
John Progess

I used the same light but I glued it onto a piece of magnetic plastic sheet. No holes, and can be put out of sight when not needed.
Ed Bell

Using the Lift-The-Dot fasteners is a clever idea, but I often leave my tonneau cover in place, just folded behind the seats. Don't think this mount would work in that case.

Cheers,
GTF
G T Foster

That's why I used the magnetic film. It allows the light to be moved back when the Tonneau is in place or folded behind the seats.
Ed Bell

My initial thoughts were the same as GTF. However, I have just checked my fittings catalogue (Holden) and they list double length lift-a-dot machine screws specifically for taking 2 lift-a-dot sockets.

Steve
Steve Gyles

In the states having flashing red lights like Gordon's in the rear of the car can get you a ticket. Those license plate holders with chasing LEDs and brake light bulbs that pulse, all of which you can buy through JC Whitney, are technically illegal.

I have thought of a red LED license plate surround as a third brake light possibility.

Mark
Mark J Michalak

My solution, a high light so the 4 x 4's can see me (see photo). It helps to have a roll bar!
Barry

BM Gannon

I was looking at my local supplier's stock of high level lights. All his are for internal mounting on the rear window. Are weather tight versions available in the UK?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Second question: I guess I am right in thinking that the third light requires direct wiring to the brake switch?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve, how about a nice period Lucas L494, available from the usual sources.

Neil

Neil McGurk

I had thought of fitting one to my boot rack - like Steve I would like to know if there are waterproof ones available in UK - should be easy fit - just scotchlock the wires onto a brake light wire in the boot. Cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

While not in an ideal location for visibility, I located mine so that it could be seen with luggage on the rack or with the top up. It is mounted on a 16 ga steel plate that mounts using the license plate light studs. It is 100% reversible and is not too much out of character with the car (IMO). It is lower than I'd like it to be, but is better than no 3rd light at all.

C Schaefer

Cam

Surely that will not work. Don't forget that the direction indicators are integrated into the braking circuits.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Steve, My 1600 has seperate brake lights - but you are right, the 1500 has brake lights and indicators combined. cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

For the 1500 you can still wire the 3rd brake light directly to the brake light switch up front, running one additional wire from switch to back for this new light. This will not disrupt the feed from brake switch to relay box, and will not mess up the original brake or TS lights.
Barney Gaylord

Thanks Barney. I suspected that was the simplest way to go.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I had used the same idea as Chuck. My light is bigger, roughly the same shape as the licence plate lamp attached via a stainless plate to the back of the studs. I like the LEDs that Chuck used. I have wing nuts on the back of the studs of the licence plate lamp, and a bullet connector, so I can remove it at shows. I wired it direct from the brake light switch like Barney suggested.

C'mon spring!
Ralph
Ralph

This thread was discussed between 22/12/2008 and 05/01/2009

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