Just bought an NK ... rear light - analysis to follow!

[MoBrighta]

OK, I have been trying to gain some working knowledge on NK rear and forward lighting, so I bought an NK rear light on this forum. 

The immediate issue is this- I do not know (nor does seller) what model it is from.  He 'found it' in his garage in a box of leftovers or something like that.

 

I will post pictures of it with any markings when it arrives.  I am sort of excited (to put it mildly) to see what kind of upgrades and restoration processes are possible.  Been working this week on E30, E24, and early 1600 lights with a 6 Volt system (similar to 2002 roundy lights) to boost output and make a high output 12V lamp work in a 6V car.  Want badly to see what magic I can do with the vertical NK lights. 

 

Thanks for being there for me, in advance!

 

Andy

[MOJOJOY]

I have some spare 6v early vertical light housings if you need! 

 

[MoBrighta]

Oh, that is fantastic!  I hope they are different, I will learn more having a range of different parts to work with.  It shouldn't be too tough to find out what I have once I publish a picture.  Send me an email, I'll let you know when my light arrives, what it looks like, and what I think; we can compare notes.

 

By the way - I recently designed a 'gadget' that converts a 6 volt circuit to 12 Volts so a modern High Output 12V bulb can be used in a 6V car.  Prototype testing is going to start this week by Jake in his 1600 brake light circuit, so he'll have really bright brake lights (along with the tail light restoration I also did).  Notice I say High OUTPUT, not high wattage.  No problems -- no melting lenses, no blowing fuses, no overheating wires or switches! 

 

This gadget uses relays to power the lights directly from the fuse box, so the brake light switch carries very little current - only enough to trip the relay coil.  The big amps go through a fuse directly to the lights.  If it works out, I may offer it to more members to try in various other ways, some of which you will come up with yourself, no doubt.  It must work safely and be effective in making the car more visible, i.e. brighter lights, to ward off rear end collisions.  Lord Knows - there are few enough of these Neue Klasse cars on the road, no need to sacrifice even one to the Hum-V grinders!  I am also testing some high output 6V lamps ...

 

Thanks!

 

Andy

[NickVyse]

I modified my French rear lights to have a double filament bulb top and bottom, double the braking and lighting output. Originally the the centre amber lens was the reverse light, top red lens the indicator and bottom double filament for brakes and lights. I then swapped the French market reflector on the rear panel (which was a cheap plastic thing) with glass lens amber reverse lights. 

 

I also changed the whole car to 12 volts.

 

Look forward to seeing your results!

 

[MoBrighta]

Wow, I guess a good idea gets around!

 

Your reverse light was the middle section that might be a turn signal in US cars... did you move the turn signal to that part?

 

The cheap plastic thing - you mean the small round amber thing right next to the bumper is a reflector?

Did you remove it or leave it there, and just add and wire a new round glass light (amber) as a reverse light - bumper mounted?

 

I'd like to meet you, see this car in person!  Are you in France, or just lucky enough to own a French Market 1600?

 

Thanks for sharing pics of a clean car!

 

Andy

[NickVyse]

Yeah, I'm in France Andy. And yes, I moved the indicator to the amber lens. Those are the new glass reversing lights in amber above the bumper - before they were tacky (but original to the French market at the time, so they're in a box) red reflectors as per this older pic:

 

 

More pics of my car here:

 

http://www.m2bmw.com/neueklasse.htm

[MoBrighta]

OK, I thought so.  I would do the same if I had one... Love those wheels! (seen in the 'more pics' link)

 

I will let you know what I get after it arrives ... still waiting, dammit!

[MOJOJOY]

@MoBrighta 

i should have spares for both NK style tailigths!!!

 

[HBChris]

I recognize that pic from SoCalVintage!

[zinz]

On 5/19/2017 at 0:50 PM, NickVyse said:

 

Yeah, I'm in France Andy. And yes, I moved the indicator to the amber lens. Those are the new glass reversing lights in amber above the bumper - before they were tacky (but original to the French market at the time, so they're in a box) red reflectors as per this older pic:

 

 

 

 

Helloooo... does no one notice the crumpled Touring at the bottom of the hill?  What happened, Nick??  Everyone ok?  yikes....

 

Ed Z

[NickVyse]

some old fiat, been there ages, don't know the story. 

[zinz]

ahhh.... nevermind

 

Ed