Looking in the 1989 lighting regulations they seem to be enforce on cars first used after April 1991. What happens about cars first used between the 1989 date and the date the act comes into force in 1991? I am thinking specifically in the area of foglights and reversing lights. My older car has a pair of rear fogs and a pair of reversing lights. I notice cars made after 1991 seem to have one of each. Which side are they supposed to be and are there regs on wattage for each? Are there any regs on visible white lights from the rear of the car? I have a strange foglight which is just one of the reversing lights with a switch on the dashboard...The 1989 regs say the rear foglight has to be within 400mm of the edge of the car (I am assuming side here) but if the car is first registered before the April 1991 date does that mean it doesn't apply?
teabelly Read more

Nothing to do with our esteemed online guardians mind! :-)

There have been a number of threads recently asking about the benefits of various modifications. All modifications fit somewhere on the spectrum between 'highly advisable' and 'highly stupid'

Which modifications do the Back Room think are worthwhile?

My (somewhat dated) thoughts for good modifications are;

1) Replacing contact breaker points by an electronic system
2) Replacing Ford VV carbs by the equivalent Webber
3) Replacing some Ford auto chokes with manual chokes
4) Fitting duplex timing chains to A series engines
5) Updating A series SU carburrettors to 1 3/4" MG Metro spec
6) Replacing dynamos with alternators
7) Changing positive earth cars to negative
8) Fitting (noisy!) steel timing gears to Ford Essex engines
9) Fitting electronic versions of SU electric fuel pumps
10) Fitting electric fans instead of direct engine driven ones

What are the modern equivalents?

number_cruncher Read more

Close to where I live is a steep windy hill. It is north facing and, in the winter, always becomes iced and covered in snow when appropriate.

Over the last few weeks, the road has been resurfaced with a very grainy concrete-like topcoat, presumably as a speed limiting method. However, in addition, at regular intervals down the hill, there are now also groups of several narrow quite sharp rumble strips. Even coming down the hill at a very moderate speed these produce a distinct jolt to occupants of a car (motorcyclists must find it even worse).

My question is, how are these strips going to react to ice? Without any technical knowledge at all, it seems to me that they will each become mini ski-jumps, making it far more likely that a driver/rider will skid off the carriageway. Whilst on one side, there is a steep soil bank with scrubby bushes at the base, the other side of the road has a thorn hedge followed by a very steep slope down to the valley floor.

Am I worrying about nothing or does this truly represent an increased safety hazard?

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Just seen an advert on the Tele (london south east area) for a new Car Mag called Test Drive

Anyone got any first hand reviews or comments?
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I had to remove the black door trim on the offside passenger door. Somehow the front edge had been caught by something and bent it. On trimming it, there was a sharp edge remaining from the crome part of the trim. Garage said it would be an MOT failure, next time round.

So question is what can you use to remove the old adhesive, to prepare it for a new trim.

It's a 1993 1.8GLS. Not that this matters. Read more