Rear Light Cluster options

[Brightonuk]

Just something that has been mentioned before on various forums and IMO the Caterham rectangular rear light cluster does not match the styling of the rest of the car.

I think it makes it look like a Kit car (yes, yes I know) taking away from the old school styling.

 

I want something more retro but as the rear CF wings have been fitted with the rectangular boxes (and the holes are already there) I have only found this option

http://https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/angled-twin-round-lamp-housing-black

 

And fitted with these

http://https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-AMR6526LED

https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-AMR6527LED

 

I still think the above lenses are incorrect and something in this style would look more authentic

 

https://rimmerbros.com/ItemList--Series-III-109-Rear-Lamps--m-17000

 

But I can't find a housing that would work with the above lenses

 

Anyone have another option?

[JohnCh]

I felt the same way when I rebuilt my car and went with the Land Rover lights in your last link. I don't have a good picture on this laptop, but this will give you an idea. Obviously this is a Westfield not a Caterham, so some visual differences, but also Westfield molds a flat spot in the rear wing to take the standard tail light -- i.e. no mount needed to match the back of the light with the curve of the wing as on a Caterham. As for housings, I could swear someone did a carbon fiber block for the standard lights that would work. I'll look around to jog my memory. Happy to send you a better picture if it's helpful.

 

 

-John

[JohnCh]

Here is the carbon fiber light block. The copy states they are handmade to order, so my bet is they could supply it without the pre-drilled holes for the standard Caterham rectangular light.

 

 

-John

[Croc]

Don’t bother ordering from that carbon fiber supplier. They have a reputation of taking money and never supplying.

[Brightonuk]

Ya thanks I think I will go for the Carbuilders option and Landy LEDs not exactly the look I wanted but better than the Caterham Block

[wemtd]

I got a set of rear roadvision R8 clusters from https://ultimateledlights.com.au/ they work great but one thing...

You may need to insert a pair of diodes into your wiring loom: My car was set up with the internal resistance of the incandescent bulbs serving as ground {This explanation is a little dodgy since i'm no electrical engineer}. Substituting the rear LED's activating the turn signal would power all the lights simultaneously. A pair of diode's and separate ground fixed this.

[drewbrese]

I used these on my car for brake light and turn signal. There are some other good options in both LED and regular.

https://www.s-v-c.co.uk/product/led-land-rover-red-stop-and-tail-pair/

[11Budlite]

I'm still not positive if I'm going to do it or not, but I picked up some Lucas L594 light assys that I might utilize instead of the stock Caterham lights/blocks. I bought (4) red assys to use as stop/taillights, (2) orange assys for the indicators, (2) clear that I'll use for the reverse lights, and (2) matching red reflectors. I think the reverse lights will mount on the rear body panel in place of the rectangular reverse/fog units that come with the kit. They just barely cover the existing holes and I bought the flush mount because I didn't think there'd be enough clearance for the regular version with the proximity of the gas tank to the rear panel. The rest will mount on the rear wings and should look similar to the Super Sprint model but with the extra brake/tail light to make up for the extra width of the normal S3 rear wing. I haven't drilled the rear wings yet, but I think I can space it properly for the Lucas lights and still be able to use the original Caterham lights if req'd. I'll be using LED bulbs for all the lights to hopefully maintain some kind of visibility from the rear. The Lucas L594 look like this:

 

 

I'm still about a week away from completing my 'big' garage project, so I should be starting the Caterham soon.

[Nick OTeen]

I've long been a fan of the look of the taillights on various Donkervoort cars. They look better and more integrated than do the box of lights on my Caterham's rear fenders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kitcat]

I actually like the standard Caterham rear lights. Their rectangular shape matches the rectangular shape of the rear of the car, unlike the round lights. Also, I think they are the only remaining part of the Caterham that was also on the original Lotus Seven Series 3? Croc can correct me on that. And I think Lotus sourced them from a pop-up camper (caravan?) in wide use back in the late 60's.

[Brightonuk]

11budlite take a photo of the back of your car and photo shop the lights that way you will have a better idea of the look (The image in my head never looks the same in reality)

 

Yes KitKat agreed that they match the square back of the car I just think they look kit car-ish

 

The Lucas L594 would be a great option but I have the holes drilled for the block lights so that option is out

 

The Led's that go in the Carbuilders housing are OK just look a little to modern I would prefer a dome housing but it had to be 95mm which is rather large.

The Early Land Rover series II would also work but as I said to late.

Edited June 26, 2020 by Brightonuk

[JohnCh]

The Lucas L594 would be a great option but I have the holes drilled for the block lights so that option is out

 

Is it possible to make some kind of cover for the block to hide the unneeded holes and give it a finished outward appearance? Bond a piece of carbon fiber or black painted aluminum sheet to the top? I don't know what the blocks looks like, so finishing the edge of that cover might be tough (route a recess to receive it?) but it might be worth considering something like this if you haven't already gone down that solution path.

 

-John

[11Budlite]

This video on FB gives a pretty close idea of how I might do mine: https://www.facebook.com/bob.bochum.3/videos/551159992494111/

 

The nice thing about this idea if I do it, is I'll be reusing some old Lucas L594 glass from my 1st car which was a '61 Bugeye Sprite.

Edited June 26, 2020 by 11Budlite

[Vovchandr]

Personally the rear lights have really grown on me and I like it. But I'm well aware it's an acquired taste and at first glance to average people they do look out of place.

 

I actually like the standard Caterham rear lights. Their rectangular shape matches the rectangular shape of the rear of the car, unlike the round lights. Also, I think they are the only remaining part of the Caterham that was also on the original Lotus Seven Series 3? Croc can correct me on that. And I think Lotus sourced them from a pop-up camper (caravan?) in wide use back in the late 60's.

 

I would love to hear confirmation of that.

 

With that said, I believe there is one German/Bavarian dealer that only puts on circular lights from the point of sale. Interesting choice.

 

Also if you're looking for ideas, this Locost always had a very good looking/modern set I've thought. (black)

 

http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC_7300_copy.jpg

 

http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC6208_copy.jpg

[Buds]

These are very popular

 

https://justaddlightness.co.uk/

[kayentaskier]

Buds,

Josh Robbins is installing the JAL LED rear lights on the 420R he is building for me.