[ROVERNET - UK] WHY DO THEY DO THAT?

Tue Mar 14 10:29:12 GMT 2006

I also think Richard is correct about the operation of the lights.

However, I think the clear parking light lenses continued at least
through 1967, not 1965. I think that they changed due to the new NHTSA
rules that came into effect for 1968 models (which also included
illuminated side marker lights, among other things). Later cars had
amber plastic lenses for the parking lights. 

I don't recall seeing the additional bumper-mounted directional
indicators on any 2000s, although I have only seen one NADA Series II
car. I'm pretty sure the '68 and '69 2000s didn't have them, so I don't
think it was the original NHTSA law that required them. (Could be wrong
about this, but the cars I've seen don't have the extra lights on the
bumpers.) The '69 NADA 3500S definitely had them, though. They rusted
badly.

There must have been something in the 1968 law regarding headlamps,
though. I think this affected cars like the Jaguar XKE and the little
Fiat 850 Spider, among other cars. It may have been a minimum height
requirement, but it also got rid of the clear plastic fairings that the
XKE had (as well as the early Ferrari Daytona and the Citroens,
including the SM). It's my impression that sealed-beam headlamps were
required prior to 1968, but they certainly were required after that,
which accounts for many sleek European having big bulging eyes in the
U.S. export versions (including the SD1).

I don't think the Federal regulations concerning bumper height came into
effect until the 1975 model year when the rubber-bumpered MGs graced our
shores. I think 1974-1/2 MGs might also have had them.

These are my foggy recollections, anyway...

Glen

On Tue, 2006-03-14 at 00:31 -0800, John Burkhard wrote:
> Richard this sounds like you have been there and you have hit right on the 
> head.  Thank you very much for this information.  Take Care.  jb
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Richard Elliott" <relliott44 at yahoo.com>
> To: <rovernet at lyris.ccdata.com>
> Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 11:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [ROVERNET - UK] WHY DO THEY DO THAT?
> 
> 
> > The light operation is correct for 1966.
> >
> > Prior to 1968 in the US, the small auxiliary front
> > lights were steady on for parking only. As now, they
> > also functioned as the turn indicators. Originally,
> > the emitted color (either lens or bulb) was clear.
> > This color changed to amber on American-made cars
> > around 1965, I think.  Rear signal color was red.
> >
> > Then, the NHTSA Federal Standards in 1968 specified
> > numerous standards including the use of "front marker
> > lamps" which come on with the headlights as a
> > redundant or back-up light for failed head-lights, to
> > help distinguish an auto from a motorcycle --
> > "enhancing the conspicuity of motor vehicles".  Front
> > turn indicators were to be amber and had to be at a
> > certain height.  That is why the NADA P6B and Series
> > II sported the extra bumper lights and the wing
> > mounted ones are non-functional.
> >
> > The particular operation is controlled by the
> > headlight switch.  I can not recall whether the OEM
> > two-position headlight switch on my 67 TC could be
> > re-wired or not.  Later three-position switches (fog
> > head side) could.
> >
> > Richard Elliott
> > Rowlett, TX
> > 1970 NADA P6B Tobacco Leaf
> >
> > --- Eric Russell <p6rovers at yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> >> John,
> >> The sidelights are supposed to remain on.
> >> <http://www.roverclub.ca/P6circuitdiag.html>
> >>
> >> It may be that there is a wiring misconnection that
> >> needs to be resolved.
> >>
> >> The headlight switch gets a feed from terminal 4 on
> >> the sidelight switch and enter the headlight switch
> >> at
> >> terminal 1.  When the sidelight switch is thrown,
> >> there is a feed on a red wire through contact 1 to
> >> the
> >> sidelights.  At the same time, power is made
> >> available
> >> to the headlight switch and then onwards to the
> >> headlights if the headlight switch is engaged.
> >>
> >> There is no "turning off" function when the
> >> headlights
> >> are selected.
> >>
> >> Eric
> >>
> >> --- John Burkhard <burkhaj at earthlink.net> wrote:
> >>
> >> > Nothing is broken this is just a question.  When I
> >> > turn on the headlamps on
> >> > my 1966 NADA 2000 TC, WHY do the front
> >> parkinglamps
> >> > turn off?  I do know
> >> > how
> >> > it is done, I just want to know why.  Thanks for
> >> > your help.
> >> >
> >> > John Burkhard
> >> > Yucca Valley, California
> >> >
> >> >
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