3rd brake light 88 Carrera

alexhay · 04-13-2005, 03:28 PM

My 3rd brake light is mounted just above the rear speaker panel as opposed to the top of the rear window. I have the original sales slip on the car and it says it's an 88' but the light is mounted like a 87'?

Steve87-911 · Steve87-911's Garage

I think there was a thread a while back that said there were two different locations in the 88 year, depending on when in the production run it was built in.

alexhay · 04-13-2005, 03:41 PM

I hope so! thanks

ZOA NOM · ZOA NOM's Garage

that's true. I had the top mounted version, and removed it.

KTL · 04-14-2005, 07:25 AM

They seem to be all over the place.

1. At the base of the window. Probably for coupes or Targas without a rear spoiler?

2. At the top of the window. For cars with rear spoilers?

3. The dopey looking periscope light. For Turbos or cabrios or any other car they felt like putting it upon?

I had the periscope on my coupe and took it off. Really didn't like the looks of it and it's something that seems to say, "Hey! How about any passer-by try to smash me or break me off?"

eddiehotrod · eddiehotrod's Garage

My 3.2 had a spoiler but the 3rd brake light is at the bottom of the window. I took the spoiler off and converted the light into a foglight.

911teo · 04-15-2005, 06:28 AM

I have an '88 and it came without the spoiler but the 3rd brake light is at the top of the window

Wavey · 04-15-2005, 06:51 AM

Same here. They changed position mid-model-year. I found the date and posted it before but now I cna't find it.

911teo · 04-15-2005, 06:55 AM

Mine was manufactured in 10/87 (from sticker inside driver's door) if that helps.

Wavey · 04-15-2005, 06:58 AM

Are you concerned that the car might not be an '88? A check of the VIN will confirm that.

911teo · 04-15-2005, 07:08 AM

No, sorry, mine is certainly a MY 88... Just the sticker (the black one with the white dots) shows the actual manufactoring date as 10/87...

I thought it would be helpful to identify out the actual date (not model year) when they switched to the high mounted brake light...

And to be honest with you there is not much left that is still stock on my car.. so 87 or 88 doesn't really matter...

david3299 · 06-23-2008, 07:45 PM

I'm looking for a 1987 porsche rear 3rd brake light. Any ideas?

old man neri · 06-24-2008, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david3299

I'm looking for a 1987 porsche rear 3rd brake light. Any ideas?

You could buy one from Pelican.

-matt

Wavey · 06-24-2008, 05:00 AM

"Any ideas", as in which one, or where to get one? Given the cost of new parts now, I'd definitely look for this as a used part. Check any of the dismantelers - they should be easily found. I'd avoid the high-mount lights as (at least for me) they really block rearward vision. If your car doesn't have a tail I'd go with the low mount. The problem with a used part will be cleaning the mounting surface and adhering it to the glass, which I guess is the benefit of a new part. If you can handle that I'd go used.

Monza_dh · Monza_dh's Garage

If you are looking to install it on top of the rear window, don't. I am looking to remove mine. It blocks any car thats behind you and I'm always trying to look around the stupid thing to see what exaclty is behind me and how fast they are moving.

Wavey · 06-24-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monza_dh

It blocks any car thats behind you and I'm always trying to look around the stupid thing to see what exaclty is behind me and how fast they are moving.

Ditto - especially the fuzz! Forgot to mention that I have removed mine. I always felt very unaware of what was behind me.

steve911 · steve911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monza_dh

If you are looking to install it on top of the rear window, don't. I am looking to remove mine. It blocks any car thats behind you and I'm always trying to look around the stupid thing to see what exaclty is behind me and how fast they are moving.

I disagree - I purposely installed a high mount one in my '85 Targa and have no issues with visibility to the rear. I actually chose to mount it high in order to increase the car's visibility to others (i.e. SUVs).

It may have to do with the difference in rear windows between targas and coupes.

Wavey · 06-24-2008, 08:08 AM

True, the visibility to vehicles behind you is best at the top of the window. But whether you can see below it from inside probably has to do with the position of your head/eyes inside the car. Targa/Coupe could be different too. I found it to be a huge distraction, for me, in my coupe.

old man neri · 06-24-2008, 08:37 AM

Where it sits in a targa is higher than where it sits in a coupe me thinks.

You could always try finding one of those really thin bar ones (non porsche).

KFC911 · 06-24-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve911

I disagree - I purposely installed a high mount one in my '85 Targa and have no issues with visibility to the rear. I actually chose to mount it high in order to increase the car's visibility to others (i.e. SUVs).

It may have to do with the difference in rear windows between targas and coupes.

Mines'a coupe, mounted high, and I agree completely. I "can" see around it, and since I can stop so much faster than those latte swilling SUV "soccer moms", I want to be SEEN when I do apply the brakes

.