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Old 01-29-2021, 04:01 AM   #1
cdgray899
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Default 1955 center HUD light

Has anyone experimented with adding a center brake light in the deck of their classic? I have a 1955 Customline I'm looking to daily in the summer and want to make the experience a bit safer, but I don't want something too unnatural to the car
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Old 01-29-2021, 11:17 AM   #2
56sedandelivery
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Default Re: 1955 center HUD light

If I were doing it I would put it in the back window. Easy to add easy to remove.
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Old 01-29-2021, 01:27 PM   #3
miker98038
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Default Re: 1955 center HUD light

I used a license plate frame with a built in led. It appears chrome when it's off. It's too low to have the full effect, but it's pretty good at night. I've got a 55 bird with both tops, so mounting to the rear window is a problem on the soft top, and nothing with the top off.

I did a rear window brake light on a couple OT cars and I used "box" style that sealed to the rear window. Otherwise I got a lot of reflection off the window. Very distracting after dark.

If you Google third brake light a lot of styles come up.


http://www.taillightking.com/

Go down to the license plate section.
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Old 01-29-2021, 06:56 PM   #4
Ole Don
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Default Re: 1955 center HUD light

I used an LED row of lights glued to a chunk of aluminum bolted to the top of the rear window. It lit up the whole inside of the car, reflecting off the inside of the rear window. I added another piece of aluminum under it, to reflect the light outside. That worked great.
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Old 01-29-2021, 08:39 PM   #5
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Default Re: 1955 center HUD light

There are a lot of aftermarket brake lights out there, just look up on ebay or Amazon. As was noted above, any inside unit should be right next to the rear window
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Old 01-30-2021, 11:40 PM   #6
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Default Re: 1955 center HUD light

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I went to junk yard and checked out 3rd. lights. Settled on a Toyota or Nissan as it was about correct height and angle to match my rear window.about $5
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Old 02-03-2021, 11:32 PM   #7
cdgray899
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Default Re: 1955 center HUD light

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ole Don View Post
I used an LED row of lights glued to a chunk of aluminum bolted to the top of the rear window. It lit up the whole inside of the car, reflecting off the inside of the rear window. I added another piece of aluminum under it, to reflect the light outside. That worked great.
Do you have photos? That sounds like it could have a very neat effect
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Old 02-03-2021, 11:36 PM   #8
cdgray899
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Default Re: 1955 center HUD light

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Originally Posted by fordor41 View Post
I went to junk yard and checked out 3rd. lights. Settled on a Toyota or Nissan as it was about correct height and angle to match my rear window.about $5
I'm seriously considering doing that. I'll be getting a wire head kit and a ton of wires, I'm sure I could connect a generic connector to the brake wiring harness.

The fun part will be tagging, organizing, And running wires properly. No way I'm going to have a rats nest like some of the cars I looked at before picking up my own!
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Old 02-26-2021, 09:02 PM   #9
Lamar Wadsworth
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Default Re: 1955 center HUD light

Even if it's not original, I'm running one in the back window on my '38 Ford pickup and my '55 Fairlane 4 door. I don't even remember what the one in my '55 came out of. It was a couple of bucks at the pick-a-part place. It's mounted on the package tray up against the back glass. It came out of a small 4 door car, maybe a Toyoya, Nissan, or Honda. The black plastic housing is neutral and works with the black interior. Everything from '86 on has them, so the driver behind you is used to seeing them, reduces your risk of getting rear-ended and damaging hard to replace sheet metal.
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Old 02-26-2021, 11:38 PM   #10
fordor41
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Default Re: 1955 center HUD light

Quote:
Originally Posted by cdgray899 View Post
I'm seriously considering doing that. I'll be getting a wire head kit and a ton of wires, I'm sure I could connect a generic connector to the brake wiring harness.

The fun part will be tagging, organizing, And running wires properly. No way I'm going to have a rats nest like some of the cars I looked at before picking up my own!
just remember that the 3rd light gets power directly from the brake switch, not thru the turn signal, otherwise the 3rd light will blink with the turn signals
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Old 02-27-2021, 08:53 AM   #11
58Yeoman
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Default Re: 1955 center HUD light

I installed vintage 3rd brake lights that I've found at garage/estate sales. I installed the one in my 58 Chevy wagon near the top of the rear window, and in the 63 Galaxie, it's on the package shelf. They are both mounted against the glass.
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Old 02-27-2021, 09:30 AM   #12
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Default Re: 1955 center HUD light

My 58 Edsel.....
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