1965 Rear Reflectors

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Douglas Carrie
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1965 Rear Reflectors

#1 Post by Douglas Carrie »

Purchased my 1965 356C Coupe several years ago and noticed no rear reflectors. it was owned at one time by Dave Aase and he had changed a few things on the car. I thought that he had removed the reflectors when the car was painted but just noticed another 1965 Coupe on BaT with no rear reflectors. Is this factory-original or an aftermarket update?
Doug Carrie (#715)
1965 356C C Coupe
1962 356B T6 Coupe (now in England)
1958 356A Coupe (now in Italy)
1996 993 Carrera 4 Coupe

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David Jones
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Re: 1965 Rear Reflectors

#2 Post by David Jones »

Someone forgot to replace them. They are a required item by law.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/393.26
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
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Jim Liberty
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Re: 1965 Rear Reflectors

#3 Post by Jim Liberty »

The European delivery cars had the reflectors below the bumper. Look for holes, or plugs there. ..............Jim.
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Doug McDonnell
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Re: 1965 Rear Reflectors

#4 Post by Doug McDonnell »

David Jones wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 3:55 pm Someone forgot to replace them. They are a required item by law.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/393.26
Some of us delete the reflectors on purpose for a smoother look which, in my opinion, improves the flowing lines of the car.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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Douglas Carrie
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Re: 1965 Rear Reflectors

#5 Post by Douglas Carrie »

Dave - The legal text that you referred to states: "Specifications. All required reflex reflectors .... on vehicles manufactured on or after December 25, 1968, shall meet the applicable requirements." I'm no lawyer and may be wandering into water too deep for me but it sounds like we're okay if the reflectors have been removed.
Doug Carrie (#715)
1965 356C C Coupe
1962 356B T6 Coupe (now in England)
1958 356A Coupe (now in Italy)
1996 993 Carrera 4 Coupe

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Douglas Carrie
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Re: 1965 Rear Reflectors

#6 Post by Douglas Carrie »

Inside Rear Reflector.jpg
My Long Beach (by Kardex) delivered '65 has no reflectors above the rear lights as noted above. Looking inside the rear as shown in the enclosed picture, there is a bolt sticking out near where the American rear reflector would appear. Is that how restoration shops delete the reflectors or does the factory do that for European delivery cars?
Doug Carrie (#715)
1965 356C C Coupe
1962 356B T6 Coupe (now in England)
1958 356A Coupe (now in Italy)
1996 993 Carrera 4 Coupe

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Jules Dielen
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Re: 1965 Rear Reflectors

#7 Post by Jules Dielen »

There would not be a bolt there if it were a European delivery car. Someone decided to cover them up at one point.
Jules

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Douglas Carrie
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Re: 1965 Rear Reflectors

#8 Post by Douglas Carrie »

Thanks, Jules,

You've helped fill out a little bit of the car's history!
Doug Carrie (#715)
1965 356C C Coupe
1962 356B T6 Coupe (now in England)
1958 356A Coupe (now in Italy)
1996 993 Carrera 4 Coupe

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Don Gale
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Re: 1965 Rear Reflectors

#9 Post by Don Gale »

North Carolina required a vehicle safety inspection in the 70's and 80's and a sticker on the windshield if it passed: brake shoe thickness, drum diameter, horn, wipers, lights, turn signals, etc. Post 1968 vehicles disallowed glass headlight covers. I always had to remove the glass on my Speedster, which being a kit was registered as a 1979 VW. Once the station passed it, I would go home and put them back on afterwards. NC State Troupers never bothered me.
1958 356A 1600 Super Sunroof Coupe
former 1966 Euro 912 Sunroof
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Martin Benade
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Re: 1965 Rear Reflectors

#10 Post by Martin Benade »

Oooo! A criminal in our midst!
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Jon Schmid
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Re: 1965 Rear Reflectors

#11 Post by Jon Schmid »

It's like the amber brake lights I have on my European delivery 1964 C coupe here in California. Legal up to January 1, 1979. I have not had a problem with the assorted gendarmerie out here with them.

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Mike Wilson
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Re: 1965 Rear Reflectors

#12 Post by Mike Wilson »

For those of you in California, Jon is referencing the California Vehicle Code (CVC) article 3, section 24603 (e) (1) regarding rear tail lights. I have been stopped only once but now I carry a copy of that section in my glove box should I be stopped again. Those of you in other states should check your vehicle codes under "rear lighting equipment".

As far as the reflectors, a previous owner of my car removed the reflectors on the chrome consoles above the bumper and installed the ones below the bumper. It is a cleaner look.

Mike

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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