Re: IML: Side Marker Lamps/Reflectors

[aeyn <mr85000@xxxxxxxxx>]

The reason for the front side marker light not blinking could be
is that exported cars to many countries need to have a new marker
light just in front of the front door and rear of the front wheel
opening.  One additional thing to remember is that the exported
cars only need a single reverse light also.  I am wondering when
the US market cars are going to bet the mid side turn signal
lights.

Æyn

--- Christopher H <imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> This is yet another reason why I love this list... The people
> you meet!
> Burton, I'm honored to receive a response from Product
> Planning!
> 
> I'm curious why even with the less standardized approach for
> 1969 why the
> reflectors couldn't have wiring and light bulbs. Especially
> since that part
> already existed for most models (only the C-bodies were new for
> 1969).
> 
> I also have a '72 Charger, and the one part of it I always feel
> shortchanged
> on is the standardized side marker lamps/reflectors. Every time
> I see a 1971
> model with its lovely flush-mounted, specifically styled
> design, I secretly
> long for a '71!
> 
> Never knew Bornie called the '68 round lamps "whale's eyes." We
> always
> called them "Nader Eyes" after safety advocate Ralph, of
> course. Wonder what
> he'd think of the clichéd circular taillamp treatment on damn
> near every car
> today... Or how much he must have loved the '72-75 "shields" on
> the rear
> fenders of Imperials.
> 
> Fast forward to modern days, and I'm still amazed that so few
> cars have
> added the simple, no-cost feature where "front amber
> sidemarkers...may...be
> wired so as to flash with the turn signals." Chrysler had them
> across the
> line, from the Neon to the Grand Cherokee, by the end of the
> 20th century,
> but even the new models have dropped this useful side-visible
> turn signal.
> And since it costs virtually nothing to add (it's merely a
> wiring
> arrangement, not an additional lamp or control unit...I've even
> re-wired
> several of my own cars to add this feature), it just seems lazy
> and
> thoughtless. Then again, I never thought I'd see German cars
> with red rear
> turn signals again either... Suddenly it's 1960!
> 
> Thanks again, Burton, for the great reply!
> 
> Chris in LA
> Intelligent lighting enthusiast
> 
> 
> 
> On 9/12/06 4:15 PM, Burton Bouwkamp at northburt@xxxxxxxxxxx
> wrote:
> 
> > "Chris in LA" wrote "I never figured out why 1968 models have
> illuminated
> > side marker lamps, then 1969s have only non-powered
> reflectors, then 1970s
> > have both".
> > 
> > Here's the answer. I was Chrysler's Director of Product
> Planning from 1968
> > to 1975 so I was involved in these side marker decisions.
> > 
> > First, some background. Here is a summary of the Federal
> Motor Vehicle
> > Safety Standard (FMVSS #108) that required side marker lights
> OR reflectors
> > in 1968 and 1969. Notice that it specifies side marker lights
> AND reflectors
> > in 1970.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > FMVSS #108
> > Sidemarker lights and reflectors
> > In North America, amber front and red rear sidemarker lamps
> and reflectors
> > are required. The law initially required lights or reflectors
> on vehicles
> > made after 1 January 1968. This was amended to require lights
> and reflectors
> > on vehicles made after 1 January 1970. These side-facing
> devices make the
> > vehicle's presence, position and direction of travel clearly
> visible from
> > oblique angles. The lights are wired so as to illuminate
> whenever the
> > vehicles parking and taillamps are on, including when the
> headlamps are
> > being used. Front amber sidemarkers in North America may or
> may not be wired
> > so as to flash with the turn signals.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > HISTORY
> > 
> > At Chrysler we decided to do side marker lights in 1968. All
> vehicles except
> > Imperial used the same side marker light design. Except for
> the difference
> > in lens color they were the same lamp for the front fender
> and rear quarter
> > panel. This simplification saved us a lot of money and let us
> do the design
> > and engineering job a lot quicker than if we had to do unique
> lights or
> > unique reflectors for each carline.
> > 
> > During the 1968 model year we got a new Product Development
> (Product
> > Planning, Styling and Engineering) Vice President by the name
> of Leroy
> > Bornhouser. We called him "Bornie". Bornie took issue with
> the appearance of
> > the 1968 side marker lights which he said looked like "whales
> eyes". He
> > ordered us to put side markers on the car in 1969 that were
> more
> > attractive - more integrated with the sheet metal. So in 1969
> we went to
> > flush reflectors (no bulbs) that were different for each
> fender and quarter
> > panel. Time was short so this took a "crash program" to meet
> 1969 model
> > production.
> > 
> > The 1969 reflectors didn't meet 1970 standards which required
> lamps AND
> > reflectors so we had to design and tool the side marker
> lights again. We did
> > them three times in three years!
> > 
> > Burt Bouwkamp
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
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> 
> 
> 
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