Like several
drivers of ‘Sevens’ I recognised that modern, high speed, motorists are not used
to slow historic vehicles with semaphore signalling, so I investigated the legal
aspects of fitting flashing indicators, rear reflectors and a rear fog
light, to my Big Seven. The specific information required was on minimum and
maximum distances from the sides of the car and height from the ground, but
other information would be useful.
There is a
common belief that optional fittings, not obligatory to that age of car, do not
form part of the MoT, therefore they will not be tested. In fact any optional
lighting, once fitted will be part of the MoT and must work, there being a few
exceptions. The fitting of all types of optional lighting is covered by The Road
Vehicles Lighting Regulations1989, Statutory Instrument 1989 No.1796. The SI
can be viewed in full at
www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796
The MOT Inspection
Manual is also relevant.
Direction indicators and hazard warning devices
For vehicles first used before 1 September 1965 direction indicators may be
incorporated with stop lamps, or combined with side or rear lamps. Therefore,
flashing indicators may be incorporated with white front sidelights or the red
rear stop/side lights. These were built into the first cars fitted with
flashing indicators in the early 1960's, but the modern motorist is looking for
amber flashing indicators, so using the existing front side and rear lights is
not really a suitable option when fitting new indicators.
For a
vehicle first used before 1 April 1986 there is no maximum lateral distance from
the side of the vehicle but the 400mm required on newer cars is a sensible
distance. There is no maximum height above the ground, but the minimum height is
350mm. The wattage must be between 15 and 36 watts, with no requirement on
light intensity. A rear direction indicator on each side of the vehicle shall
not be fitted on a boot lid or other moveable part of the vehicle.
The
regulations also consider the angles of visibility at which an amber light can
be seen from the side, but on a vehicle used before 1 April 1986 it is only
necessary for a light to be plainly visible both to the front and rear. In fact
the dome shape of the lamps used does provide some visibility of the amber light
to the side of a vehicle.
The
indicators on one side of the vehicle shall be operated by one switch and shall
flash in phase constantly at a rate of not less than 60, nor more than 120,
flashes per minute. It may be necessary to run the engine when checking the
flashing rate. Their operation must be separate from, and not affected by, the
operation of any other lamp.
The
regulations do not mention a self-cancelling switch so, by omission, it is not
required. If one is fitted, now the norm on modern cars, it is not tested.
A driver's
'tell-tale' warning device for the indicators in operation must be fitted and
can be audible or visual. It is not required if one or more of the indicators
on each side can be seen by the driver from the driver's seat, which is unlikely
if lights are fitted at the front and rear of the vehicle. So fit a 'tell-tale'
on the dashboard.
If a hazard
warning device is fitted it must be operated by only one switch whether the
ignition is on or off. The indicators must flash simultaneously and the
'tell-tale' must work correctly. The hazard 'tell-tale' may be the same as the
indicator 'tell-tale' or a separate light, but it must be a flashing light. If
any indicator or 'tell-tale' bulb is not functioning that is sufficient reason
to fail the MOT test.
Rear retro-reflectors
The number required is two, each to be a minimum lateral distance from the side
of the vehicle of 610mm for a vehicle first used before 1 April 1986, but there
is no minimum separation distance between the pair, nor is there a minimum
height above the ground, although the maximum height is 1525mm. A rear
retro-reflector shall not be fitted on a boot lid or other moveable part of the
vehicle. Reflective tape is not accepted as a substitute for a rear
retro-reflector.
Rear fog lamp
Only one need be fitted, either on the centre-line, or to the off-side, of the
vehicle. If a symmetrical pair of lamps is fitted, only the centre or off-side
one will be tested. The minimum height above the ground is 250mm and the maximum
1000mm. A minimum separation distance between a rear fog lamp and a stop lamp
is 100mm.
The colour
must be red, but there is no requirement as to the size of the illuminated area,
the wattage or intensity. A rear fog lamp must be wired so that it will
only work when the headlamps are in use and must not be operated by the braking
system. A closed-circuit 'tell-tale' must be fitted on the dashboard.
Materials and equipment
Flashing lights of the style fitted to motorcycles, available from any
motorcycle shop or Vehicle Wiring Products are suitable. Holden Vintage &
Classic and Auto Electric Supplies, seem to be the only suppliers of 6v 36w
flasher units, otherwise use 2 x 18w motorcycle units. It is easy to fit the
wire through flexible slit convoluted tubing to protect it under the car.
I cut and drilled short
lengths of 25mm x 5mm mild steel to fit short bars above and under the bumper
irons, filing the irons and bars to make the earth contact. These fit neatly
behind the bumpers and are held with an M8 x 55mm bolt. The wiring in the
convoluted tubing followed the chassis member on the offside to the rear and
along the main wiring loom, all fixed with cable ties. Wiring to the front
indicators went through the engine compartment to the chassis members and the
bumper irons. The only 'modification' to the car was a small hole in the
bulkhead to take a self-tapping screw to fix a cable tie base to mount the
flasher unit. The whole lot can be removed from the car within 10 minutes if
someone wishes to return it to original specification. For that reason I have
retained the semaphore system separate from the flashing indicators.
Whilst
taking the wiring to the rear offside I included wiring for a rear fog lamp. I
have also fitted a symmetrical pair of red retro-reflectors. The car had
already been fitted with obligatory stop/tail lights and reflectors in the
1960's.
Before I
even took the car on the road I felt a lot happier having the use of flashing
indicators.
This article, written by Doug Castle, originally appeared in CA7C Seven Focus in
Mar 2004 pp21-23.
