My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

[FritsB]

Had to visit the garage today for the yearly approval to be allowed to drive the car on the Dutch roads. This starts when a car is on plates for three years.

To my surprise I did not get an approval. The reason was that my front turn signals can not be visible when one stand 6 meters behind the car and one meter to the side away from it. This is an EU rule and the fact why all cars on the Dutch roads have extra turn signal lights installed on the front fenders.

Garage could not tell why Road association overlooked this issue when the car had its first approval when I bought it. It should already have been noticed back then. Obviously they made an error.

Bummer...I do not want anyone to drill holes in my Bird and I certainly don't want these ugly bulbs near the V8 sign.

Now it becomes more complex. Because the rule is that these lights need to be within 40cm range of the largest width of the car, which is the side mirror area. That is why most European cars have these light build into the mirrors (like Mercedesses have).

Also this makes my first idea in turning the rear contour lights into turn signals impossible. The front contour light can not be seen from the position as demanded (6 meters behind, 1 meter left or right from the cars side) so falls out too.

I guess I have two options left.
1 is to buy these ugly led arrows that one can stick on the mirror. I can use these to get passed the approval and then remove them until next years approval comes by.
2 is to mount an extra light like it should be into the fender just above the V8 sign (hate that).

Or do you have any other suggestions? Maybe in the US more stuff is available to solve this issue. I have until december 20 to get it approved.

[Ray]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

Or do you have any other suggestions?

Move to the U.S.! You wouldn't have to do anything to your Bird, and we'd love to have you!

[FritsB]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

Move to the U.S.! You wouldn't have to do anything to your Bird, and we'd love to have you!

That would be fun. Can I bring my spudgun too?

[MATBird]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

Do the lesser of two evils - At least you'll have a one of a kind TBird

[DRBurdyshaw]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

I guess I have two options left.
1 is to buy these ugly led arrows that one can stick on the mirror. I can use these to get passed the approval and then remove them until next years approval comes by.
2 is to mount an extra light like it should be into the fender just above the V8 sign (hate that).

1. If you buy the stick-ons for the mirrors, would they not be temporary ---- and not very obtrusive?

2. If you go with this option, I'd spare no expense. I'd put quality and appearance high on the list.

Just my 2¢

[ScottyNeutron]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

I smell a very coolpotential mod:

Perhaps you can remove the front fender chevrons ("50th Anniversary" badges on 2005 models), and then place some sort of bulb/side marker in that slot. Perhaps you can then cut the chevrons down in length and fill back in the space not completely filled by the side markers.

These trim pieces can be removed from the inside of the front fender. Dot has a thread on here somewhere. Perhaps do a search on Front fender trim removal or something like that.

[FritsB]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

Do the lesser of two evils - At least you'll have a one of a kind TBird

That's true. I suppose you mean option two then...

1. If you buy the stick-ons for the mirrors, would they not be temporary ---- and not very obtrusive?

2. If you go with this option, I'd spare no expense. I'd put quality and appearance high on the list.

Just my 2¢

Indeed, plus if I go for option two, I am cleared and safe may an accident occur

I smell a very coolpotential mod:
Perhaps you can remove the front fender chevrons ("50th Anniversary" badges on 2005 models), and then place some sort of bulb/side marker in that slot. Perhaps you can then cut the chevrons down in length and fill back in the space not completely filled by the side markers.
These trim pieces can be removed from the inside of the front fender. Dot has a thread on here somewhere. Perhaps do a search on Front fender trim removal or something like that.

Good option, but I do not like to mess with these chevrons Scott. btw...I think the removal of these things is covered in another thread today.

[VABird05]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

Frits, Gary Kimmell is great at coming up with mods for our Birds. Maybe you could email him for his imput on this problem. My suggestion would be if you can stick something on temporarily and then remove it after the inspection, that would be the way to go.

[My Raven]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

Fritz, maybe I am grasping at straws here but as I understand it your car was approved once with no problem by the proper government authorities that now are stating your car is in violation. In light of THEIR ERROR 3 years ago can you not be written some sort of "grandfather clause" as we call them in the US legal system where your registration is an exception?

[Latebird]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

It appears that your "Bird" has had it's wings clipped!
You might have to keep it in the nest!

[Rosebud]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

You state it is an EU rule, so does it apply to the other countries? I see there is a new member from Germany you may want to contact to see if the rules apply to them.

[Tony007]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

THIS IS OUTRAGES FRITZ....YOU WANT US TO SEND A CREW OF THE BOYS OVER TO MAKE THEM AN OFFER THEY CAN'T REFUSE ???

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

Fritz,
I say, develop a factory style mod that we will all want to have and at the same time make you legal.

[Kokomo]

Add on signals

Here is a site with some add ons like you describe. Some of them look good enough to put on and keep on. The get expensive though.

http://sports-imports.stores.yahoo.net/sidviewtursi.html

Also, if you have to wire in, don't forget that our birds are negative side switching logic.

[joe166]

Re: My Bird rejected for Dutch roads

There are some signals that go in the mirror that are not obtrusive and, in fact, can't even be seen when they are not flashing. Here is one site that has a variety of options: http://www.autoanything.com/mirrors/20A50635A1.aspx

There are several others. I almost put them on my car and the ones I saw were not visible when they were not flashing. They cost a couple of hundred so I didn't bother, but if it meant I couldn't drive my car.....

Just google "rear view mirror turn signals" and you will get a whole bunch of hits.