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Old 06-13-2016, 04:54 PM   #1
Tom Wesenberg
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Default We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

Yesterday I drove my antique car to fix a short for a club member's 31 Phaeton. On the return trip, as I was slowing down to turn into my driveway a car was still driving full speed and not slowing for me. I live on a road with a 30 MPH speed limit, and the road has those stupid curb and gutters, so I couldn't turn to the side. I thought for sure I was going to be rear ended before I could turn into my drive. This car had been behind me for at least 5 blocks, so it's not as though he didn't see me. Maybe he was taking picture or texting with his phone, but I wish I'd have had a loud horn on the rear of my car to alert the idiot. I watched him in my mirror as he finally did some hard braking.

There should be a horn that sounds if the car following approaches too quickly or follows too closely. My neighbors newer van brakes the car automatically if he comes up too fast on the car ahead. That same sensor could be connected to a horn on the rear. Speeders and tailgaters have been a real problem around here for the past 20 years.
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Old 06-13-2016, 05:01 PM   #2
Jon
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

No need to worry Tom, in a few years we won't need to drive, they will all drive themselves. "What me worry"
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Old 06-13-2016, 05:03 PM   #3
ursus
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

My old coupe had so much blow-by that it kept the tailgaters at bay. One quick release on the gas pedal and they disappearing in a cloud!
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Old 06-13-2016, 05:31 PM   #4
C26Pinelake
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

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My old coupe had so much blow-by that it kept the tailgaters at bay. One quick release on the gas pedal and they disappearing in a cloud!
Now that is funny! Wayne
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Old 06-13-2016, 05:32 PM   #5
coupe1942
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

YOu should be stationed in Naples, Italy where the only law on the books for drivers is a working horn to honk endlessly and at will. No working headlights or tail lights necessary and no insurance or even a driver's license is required, but if you don't have a horn to honk, then you have broken an unwritten Italian law. :-)

The common thought about stopping for red lights there is, "It is a mechanical thing. Why would anyone obey a mechanical thing when I have such a fine horn to honk as I drive through it at Mach One speed?" :-)
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Old 06-13-2016, 06:52 PM   #6
J Franklin
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

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I usually slow way down far before my turn so the car behind has to pass or wait for me to turn

Nice truck coupe1942!
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Old 06-13-2016, 07:30 PM   #7
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

Put a bright backup light at the rear of your car that is switched manually. It will not only really help when backing up at night but it can also be used to flash the guy behind you to get his attention. Just a quick flash and he will not figure where it came from and is likely to slow down. I learned this when I was following a trucker with my high beams on and he flashed the backup spot. I tried to figure out where that flash came from as I slowed down. It gets attention. Unless it is a cop that is following you.
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Old 06-13-2016, 07:35 PM   #8
Y-Blockhead
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

Not a horn but I do have a light that flashes when I step on the brake, hopefully to get their attention. It's filled with RED LED's
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Old 06-13-2016, 07:40 PM   #9
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

Led brake light , just touch it & they drop back , on our 1 lane roads traffic builds up behind & we are required to pull over till clear , Problem is the guy behinds you won,t pass & it holds everyone up , he is too blame usually , that's why I travel at 90--95 k just under the 100k limit . stock engine, B carb , hi comp head , Mitchel OD. but on 205-80-16 tyres. in my delivery WITH a led red hi stop light , glued it in the gutter above rear door , Great idea to put it on a remote switch , Also run turn signals as bloody stir fry tourist have no idea on hand signals, except the two finger salutes ,
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Old 06-13-2016, 08:09 PM   #10
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

Forgot to add I also put on my 'Triangle' occasionally but I'm not sure people know what it is judged by the way they pass me.

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Old 06-13-2016, 08:15 PM   #11
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

Tom,

I drove today and a kid and his girl were in an old Taurus.. They were directly ahead of me and slowed down with no signals or break lights... So I had to drop my car in to 2nd... Then the car without any signals moves to the left lane.... Then they pull aside and say nice car.... I thanked them just to be nice but was not fun
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Old 06-13-2016, 10:58 PM   #12
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

Maybe this;

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Old 06-13-2016, 11:08 PM   #13
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

I believe James Bond's Aston Martin had a few devices that would work.

Personally I like the manually operated backup light. A hundred years ago I had a manually operated brake light on my motorcycle. Worked very well.
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Old 06-13-2016, 11:30 PM   #14
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

Pick up a electric windshield washer with tank at the local junk yard.
Fill it with transmission fluid or Kerosine or Diesel fuel. Run the hose into the exhaust pipe close to manifold.
Wire into horn button or separate switch.
Next time you are Tailgated hit the switch.
You will turn the backside of your Car into a Huge White Blue Cloud chasing you!
Your Tailgater will disappear into a Cloud never to be seen again!
Don't ask how I know this as I'm supposed to be a Responsible Adult!
Let's just say many years ago when I was in Autoshop I had to Try All the Pranks people did years ago! Just to see if they really work.
Have you ever heard of someone putting Clear Nail Polish on the Points???
It Works!
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Old 06-13-2016, 11:58 PM   #15
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

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Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
Yesterday I drove my antique car..........On the return trip, as I was slowing down to turn into my driveway a car was still driving full speed and not slowing for me..........
Unless I missed it, you don't mention what you have for brake/signal lights on this vehicle (?).
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Old 06-14-2016, 03:16 AM   #16
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

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Unless I missed it, you don't mention what you have for brake/signal lights on this vehicle (?).
1950 Studebaker with good original lights. Studebaker had separate brake lights and turn signals, so even with the turn signal on I still had brake lights on both sides.
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Old 06-14-2016, 05:01 AM   #17
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

Many just like to climb up your ass to get a good look of the old car ahead of them.
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Old 06-14-2016, 09:00 AM   #18
Dave in MD
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

Tom,
Maybe your tailgater was driving one of those modern cars with the automatic braking system.
Dave
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Old 06-14-2016, 09:18 AM   #19
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propane flamethrowers
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Old 06-14-2016, 11:03 AM   #20
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Default Re: We Need a Horn for Tailgaters

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Forgot to add I also put on my 'Triangle' occasionally but I'm not sure people know what it is judged by the way they pass me.

I do use one of those on my buggy when I take my wives into town to shop but I'll be damn if I'll put one on Sarah!!!

Here we are off to church.

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