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I hope safety subjects as well as originality issues are acceptable on this Technical Board. If not I would ask the moderators to delete this thread.
I have driven Corvettes for more than 20 years and have always been concerned about their low frontal profile and visibility to oncoming traffic. The modern concept of daytime running lights (DRLs) was introduced/mandated in Canada about 1989. It seemed like an excellent visibility feature although there were naysayers. I adapted it to my former 1979 L-82 via Hella 1500 OptiLux lamps located behind the grilles.
In 2003 I purchased my current 1967 and had the same concern. After some research I located an aftermarket DRL module suited to my car. Today was installation time. The unit uses the turn/flash filaments of the front 1157 bulbs. Rear bulbs are not affected or lit. The module is disengaged when parking lights are on as well as headlamps. It only operates when the ignition is on and headlamp switch off. It can be defeated if necessary by pulling a small underdash male/female connection originating from the untouched original harness. A more sophisticated approach would be a hidden toggle switch on the new power feed wire.
An ignition-switched source of power (and fuse-protected) is needed. Wire surgery is limited to the front lamp pigtails. The main forward harness need not be touched. The module is small and easily hidden. I drove about 60 miles today and electrical performance is A/OK. The ammeter did not miss a beat.
Thought I would share this with you. I have no doubt that my car's visibility to oncoming traffic is much improved.
I have driven Corvettes for more than 20 years and have always been concerned about their low frontal profile and visibility to oncoming traffic. The modern concept of daytime running lights (DRLs) was introduced/mandated in Canada about 1989. It seemed like an excellent visibility feature although there were naysayers. I adapted it to my former 1979 L-82 via Hella 1500 OptiLux lamps located behind the grilles.
In 2003 I purchased my current 1967 and had the same concern. After some research I located an aftermarket DRL module suited to my car. Today was installation time. The unit uses the turn/flash filaments of the front 1157 bulbs. Rear bulbs are not affected or lit. The module is disengaged when parking lights are on as well as headlamps. It only operates when the ignition is on and headlamp switch off. It can be defeated if necessary by pulling a small underdash male/female connection originating from the untouched original harness. A more sophisticated approach would be a hidden toggle switch on the new power feed wire.
An ignition-switched source of power (and fuse-protected) is needed. Wire surgery is limited to the front lamp pigtails. The main forward harness need not be touched. The module is small and easily hidden. I drove about 60 miles today and electrical performance is A/OK. The ammeter did not miss a beat.
Thought I would share this with you. I have no doubt that my car's visibility to oncoming traffic is much improved.
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