Backup Reverse Switch for Manual Transmissions

[frankym]

All,
I recently purchased ERA 575, originally built by James Baldwin. Despite having a CA Title, my state requires I undergo the VIN registration and inspection process. One of the things I needed to do is have a backup light.

I have a Richmond 5 Speed (Street Version). The overdrive version has the hole for the factory reverse switch, but the Street does not. The way you can distinguish between the 2 versions is that the Overdrive version has 4 linkages/shifter arms, and the Street has only 3.

I purchased a simple plunge button switch. I ordered 5 different ones and found this one here to be the best.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...t_b_prod_image

The reason it's perfect is
1. heavy duty metal construction
2. articulation of the electric connection is from 1/4 push to 4/4 push, meaning it is more forgiving than a traditional on/off switch.
3. The plunger switch is sufficiently long so that you can engage the switch with the shift lever with a decent margin of error for placement.

I will show the video of the contraption in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqmFg07dSdI

I then wired the switch from the ignition starter solenoid to the shifter switch to the rear tail light (white). State requires one.