[HCChambers]

Morning. I am a U.S. guy coming to the UK in May. I have a 95 convertible, and heard that I need different taillights than the stock ones on my car. Does anyone know about this? Thanks!

[Flexpipe]

The only thing i can think of is maybe taillights with amber turn signals in the rear. notice those alot on the euro cars. just my $.02

[Neko-]

Not sure about the regulations on that in the UK. I do know that in Germany when you register a car you HAVE to have amber taillights appearantly, while in the Netherlands they don't really mind you using the original red ones.

There is however a requirement for a rear-fog light in the Netherlands, which is likely applicable to the UK aswell. i.e. when visibility drops below 164 ft, you're required to have an extra rear-fog light which is really bright red. You might want to take that into account aswell! If you do need this, make sure you have some kind of notification inside the vehicle if it's on or not. Occassionally tickets do get issued for having it on when it's not needed.

If the amber turn signal is an issue (and some UK folk can probably answer that in detail ) there's two options:

1) Get taillights that contain the amber glass.

These seems to be hard to find (they seemed to have been made for Cobra's atleast), not to mention pretty expensive.

2) Use the quick/dirty method. Buy an extra white light for on the rear, to replace the original back-up lights. Fit it on the car, and make sure it works. Get amber light bulbs, put those in the original back-up lights, and rewire the turn-signal to these new bulbs. End result: amber turn signal, and an extra back-up light on the rear somewhere.

Some more details: http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...ts-europe.html

[HCChambers]

Awesome info, and I do appreciate it. I was luck enough to have U.S. military plates here in Germany to get away with my stock red lights and no fog light, but doesn't look like it will be the same in the UK. I'm also looking at a couple of lights that have two clear places on the bottom, both for back up lights, pretty dumb in my opinion, but I can rewire the taillights into one of those. That's the best fit for right now, but was hoping to get some stock looking ones... Thank you to everyone for your help, have to get together with some of you mustang guys soon! (Just found this site...)

[Neko-]

Looked around a bit. Found this thread that has 99-01 cobra lights for sale. Not sure if those'll fit your 95 tho:

99-01 Cobra tail light assys. $375 - Stangology Mustang Forums

New ones? Found those here:

99-01 TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY, COBRA, PAIR MUSTANG

Or the two separate items:
99-01 TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY, COBRA, RH MUSTANG
99-01 TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY, COBRA, LH MUSTANG

All in all. not prices you get happy feelings with.

Located a bit more info here:

94/95 Tail Lights with yellow Flashers - Mighty Forums

And on this forum it has cropped up in two earlier threads, I didn't locate yet with my previous post:

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...ts-europe.html
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...taillight.html

Seems they're hard to find, and if you get model specific it'll only get harder I suppose.

[Ric66fb]

Hi Steve,

This is going to bore the pants off you, but here goes:-

Officially all vehicles in the UK should be fitted with amber indicators but It becomes a bit of a grey area on older cars imported from the States. The rules for "The Ministry Of Transport Test" states that cars must have amber indicators unless "Otherwise Fitted As Standard". My 66 Fastback is not converted and this loophole gets my car through it's MOT test every year. It also has no rear foglamps, again not fitted at the time of manufacture so doesn't apply. I've never had trouble from the cops on this issue over a period of 40yrs.
A MOT CERT' is basically a piece of paper that states your vehicle was safe to be driven on the road AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.
Any car over three years old MUST have a valid MOT Certificate which has to be renewed every year. This along with a Certificate Of Insurance is produced to purchase a Road Fund Licence generally referred to as a Tax Disc. Without which you will definately gain tickets and fines and possibly get towed off to a car pound.
All good fun this eh?

"NEW" American imports have to go through whats known as a SVA test which results in the issue of a certificate needed to register the car and gain a licence plate.

Now I know for a fact that classic cars are imported into this country on a regular basis without conversion and many stay that way. Where the cutoff point comes and the SVA applies I've never needed to know as I've always driven classics but that info is a phone call away as I've a pal that imports.
In the past the fact that you're an American seviceman would have made you exempt from all this s**t but alas it's not the case now, although you should have a fair period of grace before the car requires a British Licence plate. In fact you might not need one at all if you intend to take the car back home, maybe you already have an answer to that one?. Again I can find out if you wish. How long will you be here as I might need to know to find out the relevant info?

[HCChambers]

Ric-

FINALLY, Someone that has a clue what I'm talking about!! Well, I'll be in the UK for four years, and according to our regulations, I will need UK plates ASAP (the whole "blending in" thing, and not being identified as a U.S. person). If you could find out for me, it would definitely be a HUGE help!!! Thanks again!

[Hipshot]

Loks like I will also be heading to UK this summer. Worried a bit about my 2008 Mustang GT. A lot of the light kits out there are not compatible with 2008 at all, so choices are a bit limited.

I understand I need a red fog light in back. Does it have to be on one side or can it be centered. If it can be centered, I was thinking of wiring a bypass to the center brake light, maybe use the emergency flasher circuit so the indicator shows up in the dash, like the emergency flashers, but not blinking. Have to look at the diagram a bit... any thoughts?

The reg's seem a bit unclear when you read them, but maybe I'll get some help when I get there. Not looking forward to the hassle.

[Neko-]

AFAIK UK rules are the same as dutch rules. So I'll just give you a brief lowdown of the dutch regulations.

Doesn't matter where the rear-fog is, aslong as it's there. Some cars have an extra light for it, some have it integrated in the existing units.

As to how mine got wired... Bear in mind the turn-signal lights can ONLY be blinking when a turn is indicated. A turn signal light is NOT allowed to be on permanently! So the parking light that they're used for in the US isn't allowed here. And you do need parking light with us, so they pulled my front foglight bulbs, converted those to the parking lights, and moved the front foglight switch on mine to the rear foglight. In essence: I don't have front foglights anymore

It's usually required to keep in mind the rear side has to have a red reflector of sorts (usually the regular taillight units already have this integrated), to make sure you're visible even when the car is just parked in the dark, and it seems the white turning signal lights on the front HAVE to be orange for it to pass inspection.

If the UK regulations differ on this I'm sure someone'll pipe up

I never actually imported mine (bought it when it already was imported) so I'm bound to have missed some things. I know of a company in the Netherlands that does imports and preparing the cars for inspection tho they won't be much help on the UK regulations. Maybe some sort of similar company is in the UK and willing to assist you?

[Neko-]

I'd almost forget noting the requirement of side-turn signals. Should be located between the front-wheel and the door. Also required to be orange in color when lit.

[82blackstang]

i think you will find any car which is imported into the UK and is 10 years old or older doesnt need and sva test .As for lights if you find your car does need amber indicators on the back its very easy to wire,all you need to do unplug the wire that runs from the brake light switch to the rear lights.then use the wires at the rear for the indicators and then run a new wire from brake light switch to the rear brake light bulbs.also side repeaters are required on some cars and they must be amber and be visableat the front of the car by someone standing 3ft out from the rear of the car.
the fog light must be on the right hand side of centre and must have a warning light in the dash area.this imformation all depends on the year of your mustang.

[Hipshot]

Thanks for the ideas. Any thought as to whether installing a couple of the available side mirrors with the integrated turn lamps on the side would stand in for the side turn signal requirements? It's not between the door and front bumper, but... ?

[Neko-]

It would be allowable here. Not sure on the UK tho.