ORANGE COLOR of Brake lights

[pbishop]

Are the orange over red taillight lens 'original' to my 31 Coupe? I have the 'orange over red' taillight lens on my 31 coupe (left and right rear fenders). The other day I was pulled over and the deputy was going to cite me at first. I told him that the colors were original to the car and therefore legal. He noted my Florida 'Horseless Carriage' license plate and let me go.

Disregarding any 'legal' aspect, are orange over red taillight lens 'original' for my 31 Ford?

[700rpm]

They are correct for your car. At least in Oregon, you don’t need a special plate for original equipment to be grandfathered in. I have had to educate cops, especially younger ones, on the finer points of the law regarding antique vehicle laws and restrictions, and have never in over fifty years received a ticket for the supposed offense.

[marty in Ohio]

I have never been stopped for "infractions" to the law, but I have made copies of the pertaining ordinances from the Ohio Revised Code that I carry in the car.
"Grandfathered" is the name of the game. Better be safe than sorry.
Marty

[Kurt in NJ]

I looked it up in NJ motor vehicle law site --- brake lights are to be red or amber

[Curtis in MA]

Getting my car inspected they almost rejected me for that.

[WHN]

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Interesting question.

What kind of cop is going to pull over a “stock” 90 year old car that looks to be in good shape for the color of its one brake light?

I could understand safety issues, if the car does not look road worthy, or if it was a rat rod. But a restored, or well maintained antique car?

[Curtis in MA]

Some do it just to see your car and then have to make some excuse.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

A cop pulled over me in my '68 Datsun P.U, since they never had automatics, he noticed I NEVER shifted! He LOVED my 2800 V-6 Mustang, with C-4 Automatic!
STRANGE, with ALL stock suspension, it would burn out the L/R, for 1/2 BLOCK! Why the L/R, I don't KNOW???
Bill Quick

[J Franklin]

I changed my lens to all red and reflective just for safety sake. It is easy to go back if I need to. I also have a lense that says stop but it was not as bright.

[redmodelt]

In Oregon it amber front red rear, so that's what I have on my cars. What about those green brake lights some places back east used? Ok east being a relative term as almost everything from here in the US is east!

[amodel25]

An young officer followed me into a gas station one day. He told me that the amber brake lights were illegal and the next time he saw me on the street they better be red or he was going to give me a ticket. I explained to him they came originally in 1931 as amber. I was told that did not matter, according to Texas law they had to be red. I have a friend that is a Texas Highway patrolman. He showed me in the TXDOT where the brake lights are legal red or amber. I keep a copy of that page and the officers business card in my car. Never stopped by the officer again to discuss the matter. Funny thing was, he was so interested in my brake light color, he did not notice that I had a regular license plate on the back, a 1931 Texas plate on the front, and no inspection sticker.

[BillEbob]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

[B]A cop pulled over me in my '68 Datsun P.U,
Bill Quick

How bad did it hurt?

Bill theeditorwhocatchesthattypeofthing

[1930-Pickup]

By the way...why are some 'A' lenses all red, and some lenses amber and red? Was it a Ford evolutionary thing, or was it to stay legal in some states?

[WHN]

Originally Posted by redmodelt

In Oregon it amber front red rear, so that's what I have on my cars. What about those green brake lights some places back east used? Ok east being a relative term as almost everything from here in the US is east!

We are Red Sox fans, but are called Yankees by most of the country.

Back East? New York and New England?

Did I mention the Patriots?

Enjoy.

[Synchro909]

Over here, the turning indicators must be amber and stop and tail lights, red. Flashing brake lights has been illegal since the mid 50s so I use all red tail light lenses and a separate amber light for the indicators. I figure there is no point confusing the vast majority of drivers who have never seen red indicators or amber stop or tail lights. It's a safety thing, besides not attracting unwanted attention from the police.

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by 1930-Pickup

By the way...why are some 'A' lenses all red, and some lenses amber and red? Was it a Ford evolutionary thing, or was it to stay legal in some states?

Depended on the year of mfg.

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by WHN

We are Red Sox fans, but are called Yankees by most of the country.

Back East? New York and New England?

Did I mention the Patriots?

Enjoy.

My family always referred to it a “down east”. I don’t know why.

[fundytides]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

A cop pulled over me in my '68 Datsun P.U, since they never had automatics, he noticed I NEVER shifted! He LOVED my 2800 V-6 Mustang, with C-4 Automatic!
STRANGE, with ALL stock suspension, it would burn out the L/R, for 1/2 BLOCK! Why the L/R, I don't KNOW???
Bill Quick

Bill. I may be wrong but as I remember early drag racers had a problem with the R/R wheel lifting under hard acceleration due to torque applied to the rear axle assembly and/or weight transfer. One racer I knew installed a large truck battery in the trunk over the offending wheel to help keep it down. Maybe try a couple of bags of sand over the offending wheel in your p.u. Have fun!

[WHN]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

My family always referred to it a “down east”. I don’t know why.

Down east Maine.

Do you have Lobsters out there?

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by WHN

Down east Maine.

Do you have Lobsters out there?

Only in seafood stores, and not very often.