Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Scorpio / Scorpio Cosworth Discussions - Questions, problem resolution, general talk, technical tips and modifications.
Merkur Club web site
User avatar
DPDISXR4Ti
Site Admin
Posts: 14789
Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2003 11:40 pm
Location: New York

Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by DPDISXR4Ti »

We're thinking of going with more of a Euro look on the back and so ditching most of the big center reflector/license plate holder. Current thinking is to chop off both ends of the factory piece and still use the center portion to hold/light the license plate. Then either fill in the holes in the hatch of the newly exposed metal or continue to use them with newly fabricated pieces of sheet metal that mounts up with the same three mounting locations (on each side).

Anyone else done anything in this regard?
Brad
blugg
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1836
Joined: Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:58 am
Location: Chicago area (most of the year)

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by blugg »

Carlisle 2006/07 (maybe 2005) find pics of the mono black it was altered to what I believe your discribing
Jeff
User avatar
brokencase
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1596
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2015 12:18 pm
Location: PA

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by brokencase »

I am certain that, on more than one occasion, that full rear reflector has saved me from "the texting teen from careening into my machine".

By sheer genius or by mistake the designers correctly anticipated the advent of modern drivers distracted by electronic devices with that rear reflector. I don't know of any other car so equipped.

I'll take any amount of red dazzle I can get into the corner those distracted eyes. In the offhand chance one of those drivers is caught in that situation, and stops in time because of that reflector, AND REALIZES IT. All the better.

I wonder if I can find a real bright LED replacement for the third brake light in that rear spoiler....
Last edited by brokencase on Thu May 17, 2018 9:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Specialization is for Insects
Ed Lijewski
Level 8
Posts: 8412
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2003 5:53 pm
Location: The Belly of The Beast

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by Ed Lijewski »

Mine doesn't "reflect"; neither did the one on my parts car reflect. It just color matches the rear light lenses to provide thematic harmony across the rear. (And maybe to further distinguish it from the Euro Granada.)

I wondered about this long ago. Are any who call it a reflector sure they see it reflect light. I think it absorbs light through the colored acrylic (or whatever). That's the reason I affixed two 3/4" tall 12' long strips of true red reflective safety tape near the bottom bumper edges on each side. I assure you that those strips reflect: the center trunk piece doesn't really.

YMMV
Descartes: "Cogito Ergo Sum"
Lijewski: "Sum Ergo Drive-O. Mucho!
User avatar
DPDISXR4Ti
Site Admin
Posts: 14789
Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2003 11:40 pm
Location: New York

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by DPDISXR4Ti »

How's this?
JuleScorp-9.JPG
JuleScorp-9.JPG (1009.16 KiB) Viewed 8095 times
JuleScorp-8.JPG
JuleScorp-8.JPG (988.91 KiB) Viewed 8095 times
Brad
Ed Lijewski
Level 8
Posts: 8412
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2003 5:53 pm
Location: The Belly of The Beast

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by Ed Lijewski »

Late afternoon under tree shade; lamps, license plate, reflective tape stand out as reflecting canera flash.
20160830_141628-512x288.jpg
20160830_141628-512x288.jpg (42.76 KiB) Viewed 8628 times
YMMV
Last edited by Ed Lijewski on Fri May 18, 2018 10:05 am, edited 2 times in total.
Descartes: "Cogito Ergo Sum"
Lijewski: "Sum Ergo Drive-O. Mucho!
Ed Lijewski
Level 8
Posts: 8412
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2003 5:53 pm
Location: The Belly of The Beast

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by Ed Lijewski »

Overhead indoor flourescent lighting:
P1010463-400x300.jpg
P1010463-400x300.jpg (40.01 KiB) Viewed 8627 times
:

YMMV
Descartes: "Cogito Ergo Sum"
Lijewski: "Sum Ergo Drive-O. Mucho!
User avatar
brokencase
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1596
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2015 12:18 pm
Location: PA

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by brokencase »

Yep I see it Ed, Went out and checked. Always though it was reflective.

But it sure has got me thinking...

I wonder if I could slip some of those "LED's on a strip" underneath the panels and make a 'Mega-Brake Light"
or maybe just some reflective tape behind them?
Specialization is for Insects
Ed Lijewski
Level 8
Posts: 8412
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2003 5:53 pm
Location: The Belly of The Beast

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by Ed Lijewski »

The idea of superdooper reflective tape behind the acrylic (?) is intriguing. That panel should reflect at least somewhat.

YMMV
Descartes: "Cogito Ergo Sum"
Lijewski: "Sum Ergo Drive-O. Mucho!
User avatar
brokencase
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1596
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2015 12:18 pm
Location: PA

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by brokencase »

How about something like this? Red electroluminescent.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Electrolumines ... SwXCBaQxI3

Of course it might get expensive to do all the panels...
Specialization is for Insects
User avatar
milehighXR
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 2317
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 8:17 pm
Location: Longmont, Co

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by milehighXR »

Get the Euro 24v tail panel, if you can find one....
Johnny


1 86 XR aka Naomi- my first love, now daily driven project

DCLXVI
User avatar
DPDISXR4Ti
Site Admin
Posts: 14789
Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2003 11:40 pm
Location: New York

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by DPDISXR4Ti »

milehighXR wrote: Fri May 25, 2018 8:24 pm Get the Euro 24v tail panel, if you can find one....
I assume it's going to be configured for the Euro size plate, no?
Brad
User avatar
milehighXR
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 2317
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 8:17 pm
Location: Longmont, Co

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by milehighXR »

DPDISXR4Ti wrote: Fri May 25, 2018 10:29 pm
milehighXR wrote: Fri May 25, 2018 8:24 pm Get the Euro 24v tail panel, if you can find one....
I assume it's going to be configured for the Euro size plate, no?
It is, it looks really slick especially with the 24v taillights. The one I had with our last 89 Scorpio had a US spec plate on it. I can't remember how the PO had put it on, but it didn't look hokey. I'll see if I have pics of that car anymore...
Johnny


1 86 XR aka Naomi- my first love, now daily driven project

DCLXVI
Ed Lijewski
Level 8
Posts: 8412
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2003 5:53 pm
Location: The Belly of The Beast

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by Ed Lijewski »

Descartes: "Cogito Ergo Sum"
Lijewski: "Sum Ergo Drive-O. Mucho!
User avatar
brokencase
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1596
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2015 12:18 pm
Location: PA

Re: Rear Reflector Removal & Re-imagineering

Post by brokencase »

What da heck!
Specialization is for Insects
Post Reply