1963 Export Coupe.....Amber Directional Signal Lights ?

[Richard M.]

The gentleman that bought our 63 coupe in Austria is asking about how to convert the inboard tail lights for European requirements. He'll put clear lenses on the inboard positions, with amber bulbs. He needs to modify the wiring though.

Have an of you folks in far away European countries done this? Is there a commercially available circuit converter available. I'm sure I could come up with something using diodes and some wiring changes, but if it's already available...............

Rich

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Export Coupe.....Amber Directional Signal Lights ?

Isn't there an exemption for cars over a certain age when amber turn signals were not a European code requirement? Were they a requirement in 1963?

If it has to be done, I would install clear lenses in the outboard positions with dual filament amber bulbs (if they exist). Then isolate the turn/stop circuit from the inboard bulbs and isolate the tail circuit from the outboard bulbs. If you can't find a dual filament amber bulb you might have to replace the outboard sockets with backup light sockets that accept a single filament 32 cp bulb.

You will have to run a new wire from the brake light switch to the inboard sockets in order to isolate the brake light circuit from the turn signal circuits on the inboard bulbs. Use 10 gauge wire. The original stop/turn circuit is 12-gauge wire, but with this modification the wire is carrying the current for both bulbs instead of one for each. You will also need to verify with the wiring diagram that the circuit is still fused. If not, install an inline fuse.

If both flashing amber and red turn signal is okay, you don't have to isolate the brake light circuit as described above.

I did something similar with my 1976 Cosworth Vega, which has an amber lens provision in the tail light housing, but, as-built, no socket in that position. I cut out the plastic housing to accept a backup light socket with a single filament 32 cp backup light bulb. Then I routed the right and left turn signal circuit to the new sockets and ran a new wire from the brake light switch to the two brake lights, which is still protected by the OE fused circuit. I removed the door sills and lifted up the carpet where the body harness runs and taped the new wire to the existing harness.

I don't know why the 76/77 Vegas had a provision for amber turn signals. It could be that the US was looking at amber turn signals as a requirement or GM was thinking of exporting Vegas to Europe. Maybe John Hinckley knows.

Anyone who can read and understand the DC wiring diagram in the 1963 Corvette Shop Manaul should be able to come up with a plan without cobbling the car up too much.

Duke

[Sander B.]

Re: 1963 Export Coupe.....Amber Directional Signal Lights ?

well here in Europe each country has its own rules,
but over here in the Netherlands the only things we need to change
are

:the Headlamps to E coded lamps
:front turn signal lens change to clear (because an amber parklight is not alowed)
:and on later models (c3 up) with red side markers at the rear
by removing the bulb or changing the lens to an amber one
thats all over here

i have seen a couple of cars from switzerland but they did still had
the original taillight setup

austria is probably a different story

[Sander B.]

Re: 1963 Export Coupe.....Amber Directional Signal Lights ?

Rich he might contact these guys (if he didnt already) http://www.corvetteclub.at/index2.htm

they probably dealt with this before ?

Sander,

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Export Coupe.....Amber Directional Signal Lights ?

well here in Europe each country has its own rules,

In the past, yes, but I thought the EU adopted a common vehicle lighting code a few years ago. If Europe can have a common currency, a common vehicle lighting code doesn't sound like a big deal!

Where do you find clear front parking/turn signal lenses for '63-up Corvettes?

Can you use the front amber side marker lens/housing for the rear? On my Cosworth Vega the front and rear side marker housings/lenses are glued together to make a single part, but they are the same geometery on both ends, so a front housing/amber lens can be screwed to the rear side marker position. Other than lens color they are the same, but I'm not sure about Covettes of the era.

Duke

[Sander B.]

Re: 1963 Export Coupe.....Amber Directional Signal Lights ?

In the past, yes, but I thought the EU adopted a common vehicle lighting code a few years ago. If Europe can have a common currency, a common vehicle lighting code doesn't sound like a big deal!

Where do you find clear front parking/turn signal lenses for '63-up Corvettes?

Can you use the front amber side marker lens/housing for the rear? On my Cosworth Vega the front and rear side marker housings/lenses are glued together to make a single part, but they are the same geometery on both ends, so a front housing/amber lens can be screwed to the rear side marker position. Other than lens color they are the same, but I'm not sure about Covettes of the era.

Duke

Hi Duke
i am not sure abouth a common vehicle lighting code, but if it is there
then there should be no need to change the taillights , only the things i mentioned above.

the clear front parking/turnsignal lenses you can find them at Eckler's

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=53159&dept_id=1476

abouth the sidemarker i dont know ? i do not own a c3

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 Export Coupe.....Amber Directional Signal Lights ?

Duke & Sander.....

Thanks for the great info. I looked at the circuit diagrams and see what needs doing. Not too bad except for adding the separate wiring. The new owner contacted me and had done this already on his 61 Caddy. This is the car he had driven Arnold S. in the back seat during a parade and Austrian debut of his new movie in 1995...."True Lies". Also....remember the car salesman/fake spy with the red 59 Corvette. That was a funny scene.

Appears they have this requirement in Austria even on old cars too.

I was also wondering if John Hinckley or any other of the factory guys here on the TDB had any experiences with C2 exports and if the factory did any special wiring harness for these????? Now I'm really curious.

Also, interesting front park light lens at Ecklers! Never knew they had those.

Thanks,
Rich

[Jack H.]

Re: 1963 Export Coupe.....Amber Directional Signal Lights ?

Not too many C1/C2 cars were actually 'exported' (beyond going to Hawaii and other US possession areas). Those that were, were typically modified by a 'third party' (GM Canada, Etc.) and the specifics of what was done to a given car at a given time to make it 'street legal' country by country, isn't widely documented.

Even so, that's a moot point. The lion's share of export activity is happening now, versus years/decades ago. So, it's today's law that's the issue instead of what was done way back when.

Outside North America, it's pretty popular for legislative bodies and controlling breaucrats to make mandates retroactive. The notion we commonly hold Stateside about this/that vehicle being 'grandfathered' by laws in effect at the time of its manufacture/sale, are NOT widely held beyond our shores...

That's one of the reasons each new NCRS chapter outside North America has had to struggle with its interpretation of Flight Judging rules. Our standard here is as the car was originally built by GM and delivered to the original owner sans owner/dealer inspired configuration changes. In many places that definition doesn't 'get it'...

They don't care how this/that vehicle was initially built/configured unless your objective is to NOT register/license/drive the car and relegate it to the position of being a 'work of art' gathering dust in a museum. In order to title, plate, and operate the vehicle on public roadways, it MUST conform to existing law.

So, when this/that car is judged outside North America, does a given chapter 'waive' NCRS norms and accept the various modifications, or insist that the car be returned to its original configuration for the day/time of judging on private property? The answer isn't alway clear...

If you accept modification(s) made to comply with local law, then the nasty issue of 'whose local law' rears its ugly head; Norway, Great Britian, France, Netherlands??? Does the meet judging chairman have to be versed in international law to issue rulings on what mods are actually acceptable and minimally intrusive?

It's a can of worms issue that each of our international chapters outside North America have had to deal with... It's NOT as straight-forward/simple as you might first think!

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 Export Coupe.....Amber Directional Signal Lights ?

Yes Jack it must be a tough issue for those getting judged to NCRS specs outside the US. Must get quite frustrating for some of our members, as well as the judging staff.

I didn't really think of that until now after reading your post. Interesting issue.......thanks for the input.

Rich

[John H.]

Re: 1963 Export Coupe.....Amber Directional Signal Lights ?

I was also wondering if John Hinckley or any other of the factory guys here on the TDB had any experiences with C2 exports and if the factory did any special wiring harness for these?????

Rich -

At least in the midyear (and prior) era, conversions to fulfill local homologation requirements for new Corvettes delivered in European countries were handled overseas by the importer; there were no special "export" parts at St. Louis.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 Export Coupe.....Amber Directional Signal Lights ?

Rich -

At least in the midyear (and prior) era, conversions to fulfill local homologation requirements for new Corvettes delivered in European countries were handled overseas by the importer; there were no special "export" parts at St. Louis.

Thanks for the answer John. I can see it would have been quite a task to have all of the various combinations for export.

I also restore Jaguars, and their parts books have so many variations for exports, especially when it came to the lighting circuits.......various colored tail light lenses, different headlight bulb requirements, etc. And of course we may remember those ugly front and rear bumpers on the E-Types of 73 & 74 for the US exports. (we have a '72)

Rich