xxjoeyxxeb Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Hey, I love how some older cars have tailights with a purplish tint to them when they apply their brakes. Is this just because they have a purple light bulb with the stock red tail light lens? I was thinking about doing this effect on my Z since I have them apart and cleaning them up now. Anyone got them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 73TPIZ Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Those are called Blue Dot taillights or Blue Dot conversions. May have been factory on the 20s and 30s cars. These days people buy the glass dots, drill a hole in the taillight directly over the bulb and glue them in. Gives a purple look when lit. These on eBay are a Mr Gasket brand, which means you could probably get your local parts house to order them. Part #5101 in the photo. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-pair-of-Blue-Dot-tail-light-lens-inserts-w-chrome_W0QQitemZ8046084947QQcategoryZ33716QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Keep in mind I think they are illegal in most states. And if they were only illegal in 1 state, it would be California. I'm sure these days you could find an 1156 or 1157 bulb in blue which would probably give the same effect. Good luck and welcome to HybridZ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxjoeyxxeb Posted March 11, 2006 Author Share Posted March 11, 2006 thanks, thought they'd be illegal, and also wonder how bright a blue bulb would even be.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 73TPIZ Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 The blue bulbs would be as bright as the clear. They're not painted over glass but actually blue transparent glass bulbs. I just searched eBay with keywords "1157 blue" and got 51 hits. Even got an LED blue bulb that would plug into an 1157 socket. Check it out. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1157-Blue-Lights-19-LED-2-Bulbs-TurnSignal-BackUP-Tail_W0QQitemZ8044205064QQcategoryZ33713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxjoeyxxeb Posted March 11, 2006 Author Share Posted March 11, 2006 would the stock wring harness and stuff be able to handle the LED? I might try going to AutoZone and buying a pack of regular bulbs to see how it looks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 73TPIZ Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 As a rule, LEDs use much less current than regular bulbs. So much so, that often if you install LEDs on newer cars, the car's bulb monitoring system will think a bulb is burnt out and tell you so. Companies often sell resistors along with LEDs to splice into the wiring to use more juice and fool the computer. Good luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austenp405 Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 As with any legal questions, check your state's statutes. In Colorado, it's legal... if your car is a Hot Rod (1958 or older). I'm sure CA's laws are even more strict than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifegrddude Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Here's a quick highlight of common infractions in Ca. http://www.btpautoparts.com/californialaws.html I think the blue dots will be illegal, IIRC it's legal only on <'49 vehicles, but don't quote me on that though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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