|
Post by kazandadam on Jun 18, 2009 21:00:44 GMT 10
Hi all,
Looking at buying some vintage tail lights for Lil Hampton but I have a question!
Can the number plate be mounted on the left hand side or does it have to mount on the right?
I'm asking this as the clear part of the lense is designed for left side only.
Cheers Adam.
|
|
|
Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 18, 2009 21:56:55 GMT 10
Hi Adam, I've checked through an article in Winser which summarises the caravan regulations of the early 50's and there is only a mention in the Tassie regs about where the number plate has to be displayed (on the right). Caravans of the mid-50's sometimes had their numberplates and tail lights in the middle like cars of the era, but prior to that all the vans I can find pics of had the number plate on the right hand (driver's) side. That placement makes sense to me - in the days when vans (and cars) only had one tail light, I would think that you'd want it - and therefore the number plate - on the right hand side, right in front of the noses of the car drivers following the van. I think I am right in saying that in those days the tail light and the number plate on cars were always on the right hand (driver's) side as well. Another factor might have been that by law, car tail lights had to have an external switch (usually placed on the rear mudguard near the tail light). That switch used to fascinate me as a little tacker. Anyway, for reasons of convenience you'd want the switch on the driver's side to reduce the effort required in jumping out of the car at dusk to switch the tail light on. If your tail light is a genuine vintage (ie intended as a single light), is it possible to mount it on either side just by turning it 180 degrees so that the clear bit faces towards the centre of the van?? As always I'm open to correction in what I've said about the placement of tail lights - I'm relying partly on memory and partly on the pics I can find on the forum... Don Ricardo
|
|
|
Post by cobber on Jun 19, 2009 7:54:26 GMT 10
G'day Adam, I think everything Don R. has said is right. Ol' 36 only had the one tail light when I got hold of her and it is mounted on the drivers side..... she didn't.... and doesn't... even have clearance lights on the side. In order to maintain originality and provide for turn indicators I have fitted a "trailer board" to her. Cobber.
|
|
|
Post by greedy53 on Jun 19, 2009 8:37:12 GMT 10
good morning all, on the subject of lights, when i was working with vicounts and millards the light was in the center rear, and was often moved to the right side when items were afixed to the van.like spares and bik racks,there were times when i moved it to the left side the only constant law was the height of the number plate good luck
|
|
|
Post by cobber on Jun 19, 2009 9:19:52 GMT 10
G'day Adam Just to give added weight to Don Rs statement here are the relavant pages from “The MOTOR TRAFFIC ACT,1909, as amended, and REGULATIONS. 1938” pertaining to both numberplates and tail lights on trailers...... written in plain English here is the regulation # 96 And here is the bit about fitting the rear plate. Hope that helps Cobber.
|
|
|
Post by minicamper on Jun 19, 2009 11:46:34 GMT 10
Hey Adam, best you check with the NSW road authority. I believe that there are rules that override previous design rules for the time a van was manufactured. (Such as brakes and weight) If you don't comply you no get registered... Cheers Chris
|
|
|
Post by cobber on Jun 19, 2009 12:48:57 GMT 10
G'day Chris, In N.S.W IF the 'van is restored to it's original... how it was made condition..... how it was made is acceptable... so long as things work as they did. That's how come I drive an FJ with no blinkers and no seat belts. Ol' 36 was registered with the original coupling... no clearance lights.... no blinkers... 'cause that's the way she was made in 1936. The big proviso is.... she must be restored to original ( you even have to put old air in the tyres...................................................... that's a joke, Joyce ) Cobber.
|
|