LED Upgrade to Rear Rectangular Lights

[patrickt]

I haven't hooked up the wiring at 14.6v yet, but I'm pretty convinced that six holes are way too many. I think it's going to be too bright. Even at 12v, which is under-powering the array, it's really, really bright. What I will do once I have it fully wired is to just put little circular punch outs of shiny HVAC tape over each outside light until the overall effect looks even, or maybe slightly brighter, than the regular corner brake lights. That will let me assess it properly -- and I think having an odd number, so that one is centered, would look better. If I dropped it down to three lights, instead of the six. and centered the middle light, it would look like this photoshopped pic. Now you have to admit, three holes looks pretty innocuous.

[RodKnock]

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, had a very shiny....nose? I mean hind end?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, had a very shiny....nose? I mean hind end?

Yes, the lights have a 70 degree span, and at about 12 feet away it's a lot on the eyes. But, I have to get it fully hooked up in the car. "Living Room" testing just ain't enough. Give me your honest opinion though on the three light look that I photoshopped.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Give me your honest opinion...

Does this include me as well??

I know you got rear-ended but truthfully, would this have prevented that?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Does this include me as well??

I know you got rear-ended but truthfully, would this have prevented that?

No, it wouldn't. But what do you think of the three hole design?

[patrickt]

Here is what four and five holes would look like. I tend to think having either three or five creates a more symmetric look than four does.

[RodKnock]

I agree with the odd number, but I still don't think it has any eye appeal. I admire the initiative and the ingenuity, I couldn't do it, but....sorry.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

No, it wouldn't. But what do you think of the three hole design?

I appreciate your frank and truthful answer to my question. Should that stop you from doing all this work? Absolutely not-you're having fun and avoiding spending quality time with the family and most importantly-driving the ass off your car..

My objection(s) are not predicated on the number of holes (careful) or their arrangement or the kilowatts, resistors or pigtails.

I'm just a lover of the original character of Cobras and my build philosophy has always been to achieve that character without necessarily having each specific, original, numbers-matching part. Like-oh-Lucas fuse box covers or dummy 'original' firewall wiring for instance.

They were just raw-boned street or race cars from another era-even the tamest little roadster versions with under-car exhaust. Cobras have no back-up light, hooks front and rear to maim pedestrians, leaky tops (those that have tops), raw edges, noxious fumes and most-deafening noise. They are all about what they can make the driver feel- not what they look like or how comfortable they cruise. Replicas have allowed them to gestate into something foreign to the car's roots for the new, largest part of their audience.

Alien to the car's original character are third brake lights, GPS', A/C, heated seats, drink holders and so on. Fine for safety and modern convenience, but more conducive to the C-6 crowd in my view.

So toil away pal-you're having fun and instructing the mass audience. You're thorough and well thought- out.

Let's just agree to disagree.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

So toil away pal-you're having fun and instructing the mass audience. You're thorough and well thought- out.

Let's just agree to disagree.

Yes, thorough and well-thought-out are my middle names. But let me ask you this, between three, four and five holes, which one do you dislike the least? Do you see any difference between them, or are they all about the same?