Adding a third brake light?

[Rockne Smith]

My 1977 Eldorado had an upper brake light when I bought it recently.  I'll attach a copy pics.  Don't know source, but pics may help.  It doesn't take away from appearance of car and Cadillac/LaSalle Cub does not deduct originality points for it being there.

[Highwayman68]

My 1977 Eldorado had an upper brake light when I bought it recently.  I'll attach a copy pics.  Don't know source, but pics may help.  It doesn't take away from appearance of car and Cadillac/LaSalle Cub does not deduct originality points for it being there.

This is like what I have been looking for but I may settle for the brakelighter suggested.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The three-point Lap/Sash Seat Belts have been standard and mandatory in Australia since 1969, and only had the Lap belt for the middle passenger, but that changed years ago.   Now all occupants of cars, and buses have the Lap/Sash.

The separate belts that American makers use are not allowed at any time here, which why my '72 Eldo Convertible is now fitted with Retractable Lap Sash for the outer seating positions, front and rear.  Feel naked without wearing a belt.

Bruce.

[Cadman-iac]

Bruce,
How did you mount and route the shoulder belt part on your car? What does the top of it anchor to?
I like the idea of having a shoulder belt as well as the lap belt in my 56, but I'm not sure exactly how I would mount such a belt.
Also,  where did you find them?

Thanks,  Rick

[Glen]

I think it was New York taxis that first mounted the third high brake light.

The reduction I the number of rear end collisions for vehicles equipped with them was downright stunning. (my dusty memory wants to say something like a third or half as many collisions).

In 1972 I was loaned out to Hunters Point NSY.  I noticed all the taxis there had the high center brake light.  I ask the locals why they had those lights and was told it was a government experiment in accident avoidance. 

I guess the test was a success. 

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Bruce,
How did you mount and route the shoulder belt part on your car? What does the top of it anchor to?    I like the idea of having a shoulder belt as well as the lap belt in my 56, but I'm not sure exactly how I would mount such a belt.    Also,  where did you find them?  Thanks,  Rick 

Rick,

Here is the story on my fronts in the '72 Convertible.

http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=128726.msg255734#msg255734

I will email you with more pictures.

Bruce.

[tripwire]

I see a lot of people with 6 volt cars moving to LED Stop & Tail light bulbs for increased brilliance.  I'm surprised that people with 40 or 50 year old 12 volt cars don't do the same thing. 

Maybe this would be an improvement for these cars as well?

Have a look at these: https://www.amazon.com/LUYED-Extremely-Chipsets-7528LED-Brightest/dp/B01H55JGMU

When it comes to brake lights brighter is always better.

Wes in VT

[D.Yaros]

I understand the concern.  I routinely add a third brake light to all my old rides.  What I use is one that is mounted on the license plate frame; since most of my rides are all convertibles.

[dochawk]

Here is the story on my fronts in the '72 Convertible.

I sure hope that I don't have to go through that when I get around to that for *my* '72 convertible!

I believe shoulder belts were standard in the hardtops, but there was an option in the convertible in '72; I just don't have it.  I believe it mounted to the back of the seat.

Then again, if the seat back doesn't have an inertial lock, there wouldn't be much point . . .

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Here is the diagram of the seat belts for the Eldorado Convertible.

The trouble with the factory Shoulder Belts is that they do not allow for occupant movement, as against what is allowed by Retractable belts.

The Australian Retractors allow full body movement and only lock through inertia being applied in either quick pulling on the webbing or sudden movement of the actual vehicle.

There is a ball within the retractor mechanism that if it rolls in any direction, it moves to lock the belt.   Under normal driving, the ball stays put.   Great for reaching forward to adjust the radio or even to open the glove box with the belt on.

Bruce.

[dochawk]

It hadn't even *occurred* to me to bolt them past the back seat . . .

I presume this is what you have, rather than the factory version?

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I tried many times to find the "Factory" version, without success, which is why I designed my own, using local parts.

My friend with a '71 Convertible has his shoulder strap attached to the front of the rear quarter panel, just behind the door, and it is useless as the webbing slips off the shoulder all the time.

When I made his rear seat belt shoulder mount, I used the convertible top mounting bolts as the anchor point.

When I fitted mine, I had to be aware of the rear seat passengers, and the strongest point to mount the line of pull was where the slip fitting is, and then it was a "simple" matter of where to put the retractor.   So, behind the arm rest it went, and luckily, there was sufficient room to place it without interfering with the quarter window operation.

Plus, where it was placed, it was where the factory dimples were to mount the front shoulder belts.

When I made my rear seat mounts, I had to be conscious of not impacting on the convertible top operation, so that top point is totally different.

Bruce.

PS.  I can send you a whole lot more pictures of the installation.

[dochawk]

In a couple of years, I'll appreciate that

But I'm at *least* that far away.

First I need to get the starting motor kicking, which would be easier if I could start the car to move it for better acmes . . .

Then get the carb adjusted enough that I can run steadily enough to deal with the vacuum lines.

Then adjust the carb for real.

Then get a top on it.

Then get the hinges for the hood rebuilt so I can take it off the ceiling and put it bcc on the car.

At *that* point, I'll be ready to go on the road and deal with belts . . .

Oh, and I suppose I need to get the power seat unstuck so that I can actually extend my legs when driving . . .