3rd Brake Light-When did it first appear?
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Race Director
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3rd Brake Light-When did it first appear?
I don't want to cluster up the thread any further in the parts for sale section. So when did the third brake light first appear in production?
Everything I have found says 1986 was the first year for it. But the person responding says a GM dealer has provided him with part numbers for the lamps, and specifically lists it as '84 and '85 models.
Everything I have found says 1986 was the first year for it. But the person responding says a GM dealer has provided him with part numbers for the lamps, and specifically lists it as '84 and '85 models.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: prescott AZ
Maybe the GM dealer was counting the four round brake lights in which case the "third brake light" is really the fifth brake light. Nothing the GM dealer does surprises me anymore. You can hardly find a salesman who knows not only about Corvettes but even the rest of the line. I just test drove a nice 2002 that was listed as having the handling package. It didn't and that was a critical option that I wanted. Lucky I knew more about Corvettes than the dealer. Amnd yes-86 was the first year for the fifth brake light 
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: MI
Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
86 was the first year.
That's correct. Not to start a battle, but I was soooooo p!ssed when GM put that third light on the top of the Vette. IMHO ugly. I won't buy a year that has the third light on top.
Since it has to be on the car, I like it much more on the rear end. That way it does not interrupt the flow of the Vette's body lines.
JMO.
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Racer
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From: Livin' the dream FL
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
Lighted side markers became required by Frderal law in 1965, IIRC.
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From: [QUOTE=onedef92]Remember when that spookable closed the door on that mofo and trapped him inside tha
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '11
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
Lighted side markers became required by Frderal law in 1965, IIRC.
Team Owner
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From: [QUOTE=onedef92]Remember when that spookable closed the door on that mofo and trapped him inside tha
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '11
Originally Posted by Paul Campbell
I don't think that is true - I am looking at a pic of a 1966 Pontiac Lemans I used to own and no side marker lights are visible. I did a quick check on Google and none are apparent on 67's either. They are in place by 1968.
I thought the marker was the arrow that lit up.
Racer
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From: Livin' the dream FL
I thought I may have been mistaken so I researched it further. Side marker lights were first mandated in 1968. www.cartalk.com/content/ columns/Archive/1995/July/08.html
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by Paul Campbell
I don't think that is true - I am looking at a pic of a 1966 Pontiac Lemans I used to own and no side marker lights are visible. I did a quick check on Google and none are apparent on 67's either. They are in place by 1968.
You're right
hit the wrong key. January 1, 1968 was when the Federal law went into effect.
Last edited by c4cruiser; Jun 21, 2005 at 11:17 AM.
Safety Car
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From: TN PA
CI 5-6-7-8-9-10-11 Vet
Some GM cars had CHMSL's (center high mounted stop lamp) in 1985. My 1985 Chevy Eurosport had one. At work, lucky me gets to install 42 of those lights an hour.......among other things
Instructor
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From: Western Washington State
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Originally Posted by Paul Campbell
I thought I may have been mistaken so I researched it further. Side marker lights were first mandated in 1968. www.cartalk.com/content/ columns/Archive/1995/July/08.html
Team Owner
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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I liked the high-mounted brake light. In fact, I was hoping someone would have come out with a kit to make it pop up and down when you press/depress the brake pedal to match the functionality of the C4 headlights on the front.
Safety Car
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From: MI
Originally Posted by onedef92
I liked the high-mounted brake light. In fact, I was hoping someone would have come out with a kit to make it pop up and down when you press/depress the brake pedal to match the functionality of the C4 headlights on the front.
idea!!
Team Owner
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Originally Posted by XPLOCIV
I could deal with your suggestion. idea!!
idea!!