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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Custom rear light idea

for my V8 conversion i intend to run the early lucas style two piece rear lights and have toyed with the idea of having a custom set made, clear in color. i have the dual bulb front lights with clear lenses and think the clear ones on the rear would be kinda cool. theres a custom injection molding operation here in town and ill be going to ask them about making up a batch. would anyone be interested in a set, i believe ill have to have more than one made for it to be cost effective. any input would be helpful. thanks.
jake

Jake,

I'd be interested! E-mail me with particulars when you get a chance.

Chris
Chris Mowris

Before you spend any money, you might check with the local police. It is my impression that rear lights- stop & tail lights- must be red by law. Perhaps the turn signal portion may be clear, but I doubt it.

Red bulbs may be an option, if you can find them.

Sorry to sound like a spoil sport.


Jim
Jim Stuart

The lens can be clear, but the reflector must be red. bulb too. To get an idea of what this will look like, check out the back of any ricer. I'm still young and can appreciate how *some* of the ricers look, but I think how far out the mgb tail lights protrude might reduce the quality of this effect. especially with the red reflector. If the whole thing were clear, except the bulb, *maybe* it could work. but the reflector is what kills it.

Maybe try to immitate it in photoshop, or find someone who can do that for you?

Justin
Justin

Part of what Justin mentioned is what I've been thinking. The tail-light lenses are an integral part of how the body looks when viewed from the side. They finish the end of the body, and if they where transparent, then it may look peculiar in that instead of having the downward curve of the lense to finish the end of the car, you'll have the abrupt step of the car body. Viewed from behind though, I'd imagine they would look quite interesting. I've thought about the idea in the past myself.

Anthony.
Anthony Morgan

ive thought about the side view but i think that because theyre not completely smooth on the inside, the light wont pass right through as if they were made of glass, but will appear kind of white/opaque. i doctored a picture with photoshop like Justin suggested. its actually of Sally's MGB V8 that just sold, she took some great pics of it and i "borrowed" one. the pic can be viewed at my website under the MGB V8 conversion and then the "lights" link in the dropdown menu.
http://www.et.byu.edu/~jmv
i appreciate constructive criticism, but if the comment is about rice rockets and impressing the import crowd, i already got all that from the MGB general board.

jake

Come on man. It's completely legitimate that the ricer crowd is the one using these styles of lights, so we can safely refer to them so people will have an idea of how they will look. Your rendering of the tail lens is about how I expected it to look. Now can you take it a step further (and I know this will be hard) but make the reflectors inside the tail light red. That's what the law will require. I don't need to give the cops another reason to pull me over in my V8. (God knows my speed is a good enough one.)

The clear lense doesn't look bad at all. Get the reflector in there so people can get a true idea of how it will look, and you might have come across something *really* cool. =)

Justin
Justin

Jake,

First things first...GO BUCS!!!

I think they look good and I really don't care for "ricers". Go figure.

Chris
Chris Mowris

OK posted a few more ideas with a reflector and two colored bulbs. same link as above.
jake

I like it, Jake. I don't see any way it would be confused with a rice rocket. If you can get them made, try it.
Joe Ullman

I don't care much for the clear lens look, but, for a limited run you could just have them machined rather than injection molded.
George B.

Jake,I like them too and would consider a set. My wife also ownes (the MGB V8 is hers) a 2001 Lexus IS300 and I really like the way the tail lights look on that car. I think it would look great on the MGB, let me know how much $$$
Michael S. Domanowski

machining is a good idea i hadnt thought of that. i think tomorrow ill bring the lights in and talk to some of my old professors in the ME department and get their opinions. ive also thought of having a rapid prototype made just to see how one would really look, plus the facilities are here on campus. ill keep everyone posted and thanks for the feedback.
jake

I like it with the bulb in there. I'd be interested in a set too. Keep us updated on the project.

Justin

p.s. I like the 2nd pic with the totally clear lense and colored bulbs.
Justin

While you're at it, consider machining the back side to accept a seven or a nineteen LED array to limit the heat generated. This will extend the life of any reflective paint you may use.
George B.

This thread was discussed between 25/01/2003 and 27/01/2003

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