MTFCA Forum

I need suggestions for stop lights/turning signals for my 1927 coupe. Locations and types, etc. I have front and rear bumpers. The rears are the short split type.

The suppliers' catalogs have a number of options.

You may not want to make modifications like I did.

https://www.modeltford.com/item/8785L.aspx
https://www.modeltford.com/item/8785R.aspx

We already had the factory left side and purchased the right side.
We have the left license plate and light.
For the right, I bought a worn out light and broken license plate holder to modify and drilled the holes in the fender.
I remove the bayonet socket and weld in a dual contact bayonet socket (like I did on my '50 pickup). It should have a tab for a ground wire.
I have not even planned out the front side.
Vern

There are two basic approaches to this question. You can buy a ready-made system, or you can make it yourself. Being Mister Thrifty, I went with the latter. I used some sheet metal and other scraps I had on hand, a couple of old running lights and tail light cans I picked up at Hershey, and LED's and other electronic bits bought online. I think I may have spent as much as $50 altogether. No, sorry, I didn't make a diagram.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH85w4Yqhi4

In the video the tail and brake lights look orange, but they're actually red. The control panel has switches for tail lights, turn signals, emergency lights, and outlets for phone charger and GPS. Since the video was made I've added indicators for the tail and brake lights.

Assuming your Coupe is 6v, you might find advantages in fitting 12v turn and brake lights and a small 12v battery as used in alarms.
12v bits are cheaper, more plentiful. Of course, it all has to be LEDs. The battery will then last for months between recharges.

Checked Iowa DOT law for lens/bulb color options - very liberal
2. Directional signal devices shall be designed with a white, yellow or amber lamp or
lamps to be displayed on the front of vehicles and with a lamp or lamps of red, yellow or amber
to be displayed on the rear of vehicles. Such devices shall be capable of clearly indicating
any intention to turn either to the right or to the left and shall be visible and understandable
during both daylight and darkness from a distance of at least one hundred feet from the front
and rear of a vehicle equipped therewith.

321.387 Rear lamps.
Every motor vehicle and every vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles
shall be equipped with a lighted rear lamp or lamps, exhibiting a red light plainly visible
from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear. All lamps and lighting equipment originally
manufactured on a motor vehicle shall be kept in working condition or shall be replaced with
equivalent equipment

Tail lights: 1 minimum
minimum height: n/a
maximum height: n/a

321.389 Reflector required.
Every new motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer hereafter sold and every commercial vehicle hereafter operated on a highway shall also carry at the rear, either as a part of the rear lamp or separately, a red reflector meeting the requirements of this chapter.

On my '27 Fordor I installed 6 volt motorcycle turn lights I found on ebay with brackets that bolt on with the bumper. I like the look and they are plenty bright for people to see.

Hi Bruce,
Turn & brake will not be stock so throw caution to the wind. I like the model A Duralite tail lights, they have tail/turn & brake and look
somewhat correct. The Signalstat 900 turnsignal switch can be had with indicator lights in it from some of the T suppliers as well as the amber
beehive turn lights for the front. Suppliers sell them in 6 & 12 volt. I would stay away from cheap solutions. One thing people forget is that DOT
requires any light on a vehicle work reguardless if it is factory equipment or not.
Craig.

Planning to use the column mounted horn combo light switch for a horn & turn signal switch. Have the switch and several casings that mount on the column. Used pictures from the Internet. Haven't taken any of mine yet. Also to use taillights (like the drivers side repro) with an amber bulb dual filament bulb (led). Will point the license plate window outward for visibility to traffic on the left & right. The center bolt makes easy mounting, Some rerouting of the wire connections will be required,