Caveman
08-27-2020, 05:20 PM
Finally finished the build of my barn find FFR MkII 427 Roadster after 19 years from the original kit sale date and 3-4 previous owners. What an adventure it has been but loving every minute! Good thing this forum and it's great members exist to help guide me through the challenging parts.
However, just when I thought the challenges were over, the adventure continues. . . I'm currently going through the California registration process and all it involves. The car failed the brake and light inspection due to the Lucas headlights, tail/brake/turn and parking lights on the car not being DOT certified. The inspector said they needed to have "DOT" molded into the light lens (not just SAE) to prove that they were DOT certified or they could not pass the car. I assume my lights came with the original FFR kit so I made a call to Factory Five which revealed that none of the lights they supplied with the roadster kits were DOT approved back then. (apparently this is common knowledge in the community but was news to me).
In short, I can buy DOT certified replacements for headlights and front parking lights (L539s) from FFR because new FFR kits now have DOT certified lights supplied. However, the MkIV DOT certified rectangle rear lights are not the same form/fit as the Lucas-style L692 lights I have on the rear of my MkII. I do not want to try to modify my finished and painted MkII with the rectangle tail lights if I can help it I've scoured the internet and made several calls to Cobra replica parts suppliers and not been able to find replacement DOT certified lenses or light assemblies in the L692 style.
I don't want to try "MacGyvering" some trailer lights on the back just to get through inspection, but will if that's my last resort. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm open to recommendations - like for a Lucas light friendly inspection shop in SoCal or for a source for DOT certified replacement L692 lens/lights or anything else you think might work short of substantially modifying the car.
Thanks in Advance,
Scott (Caveman)134390134391
However, just when I thought the challenges were over, the adventure continues. . . I'm currently going through the California registration process and all it involves. The car failed the brake and light inspection due to the Lucas headlights, tail/brake/turn and parking lights on the car not being DOT certified. The inspector said they needed to have "DOT" molded into the light lens (not just SAE) to prove that they were DOT certified or they could not pass the car. I assume my lights came with the original FFR kit so I made a call to Factory Five which revealed that none of the lights they supplied with the roadster kits were DOT approved back then. (apparently this is common knowledge in the community but was news to me).
In short, I can buy DOT certified replacements for headlights and front parking lights (L539s) from FFR because new FFR kits now have DOT certified lights supplied. However, the MkIV DOT certified rectangle rear lights are not the same form/fit as the Lucas-style L692 lights I have on the rear of my MkII. I do not want to try to modify my finished and painted MkII with the rectangle tail lights if I can help it I've scoured the internet and made several calls to Cobra replica parts suppliers and not been able to find replacement DOT certified lenses or light assemblies in the L692 style.
I don't want to try "MacGyvering" some trailer lights on the back just to get through inspection, but will if that's my last resort. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm open to recommendations - like for a Lucas light friendly inspection shop in SoCal or for a source for DOT certified replacement L692 lens/lights or anything else you think might work short of substantially modifying the car.
Thanks in Advance,
Scott (Caveman)134390134391