Hello,

I recently bought a C5 corvette and as the warmer months get closer I’m preparing to take it out of storage. I’ve been considering modding it a little. I’m looking to start with the lights, something simple but also something that will give the car a better look. I’d like to get smoked lights from the Vette Lights website. What are my chances of getting pulled over, are they considered illegal, what are others experiences with smoked head/taillights? And of course, is it worth it? I also just moved to Maine, not sure if anyone in Maine specifically has any advice for me.

 

My wife's family had a lake house in Sweden we'd be at regularly. I used to work in Scarborough years ago too. I cannot say about harassment over minor things, which is all that would be if there is any law there against it. But with half that state living in the woods and happily still driving 1984 Volvos and Jeeps I'd not be overly concerned. Lights though.... It gets dark there at night.... Proper headlights and whatnot would be a sure bet.

 

‘Depends where you are, who is enforcing the law and what you are doing.

‘’Most police will not bother but keep in mind it is probable cause. If they want you to pull you over they can for this. You may get a ticket you may get just a warning.

The key to rear tail lamps are you can put a neutral; density on the but you also need a reflector.

‘’My Fiero came with tinted tail lamps but I gave two reflectors in the bumper.

Side marker light need to reflect/

Check on how the laws are enforced in your area. Most are ok but there is always a small town Barney that will enforce it.

 

I consider upgrading the lighting to better technology a safety enhancement. I have upgraded LED headlights and taillights and never was concerned about it. If you're out there driving like a reasonable and considerate human being, I don't think it's an issue. If you're out there driving like a jackass, they'll use whatever reason they need to pull you over.

 

Best bet is to check with your local LEO/state police and ask what the laws are - you do not have to mention your name - just ask the question.

 

Try to find your car in a grocery store parking lot and it reminds you how low they are compared to just about any other models. So low, in fact, that we are candidates for being rear ended. Respectfully, I am not a fan of smoked lenses.

Please consider much brighter LEDs for your exterior lights. Good luck with your project.

I recommend Sharp Light Innovations.
https://sharplightinnovations.com/sh...97-04-corvette

 

Smoked lens look cool, but the brake lights are very hard to see on a bright sunny day!

 

I would say some LED smoke brake lights may be bright and just fine. I live in southern Maine and I see smoke brake lights on trucks and other cars and have never heard of anyone getting pulled over for it. There are laws in Maine about aftermarket exhausts and oversized tires that extend past the fenders modified trucks are everywhere. I dare say 75% of motorcycles have aftermarket exhausts also. The police have better things to do than bother folks (like drive their bro-dozers or ride their motorcycles).

Side note: Old Orchid beach has some law about riding down the strip making lots of noise more than two times in a row. Due to the traffic moving slow they walk up to your car and give you a ticket.

 

Like I stated before Smoked lens are ok but you have to have a reflector per federal law.

The C5 lens have reflectors in them. To make them 100% legal you would need a reflector on the back of the car. I have seen people use plate frames with reflectors.

Not all factory cars that came with smokes lens have a secondary reflector. The Trans Am in 1979 used a smoked lens but then used a refactor strip at the bottom of the lens.

Generally cops say little about this unless they are looking for a reason to pull you over. They need probable cause and you can be pulled over for minor infarctions to see who you are, what you are doing and gain more info on you.
You can get pulled over for speeding and they can tack on stuff too if they want to be petty or you are being difficult.

Odds are good you will not be bothered but be aware anything that puts you not in compliance like no plate in front, No reflectors, a plate frame on the rear that covers the state name etc. Now they are using cameras to track and look for cars the plate frame obstruction is becoming a major point for some state to pull you over and either warn or ticket you. Same with plate covers that distort the plate.

Just use commonsense and understand you are likely not to be bothered but if you are you are in violation and could be warned or ticketed. You accept your fate before it happens.

Often if they are smelling you smoking something or drinking and see you swerving these things are used to pull you over and see if you are UTI driving.