Well... I finally got the panel on the car.

I bought the rear panel on Ebay and cut the letters out with a Dremel tool. Next I got a tail light lens from a late 80's Olds ninety-eight so the lens would be long enough to go across all letters using one lens. I am using an EL light (flat sheet) from Ed at www.beingseen.com for lighting that will come on with the tail lights. I got the panel painted matte black like the Berger SS's have for a custom look. Was a lot of work, but definitely worth it IMO.

Let me know what you think...

Here are some pics.

Pics of the panel on the car during the day.
http://www.clarkes96ss.cz28.com/light01.JPG
http://www.clarkes96ss.cz28.com/light02.JPG

I wired the panel using a DPDT switch and wired one side of the switch with the power from the head lights and the other side of the switch with continuous power. This is so I can either have the panel come on everytime the head lights are turned on, or flip the switch and have the panel on without even having the keys in the ignition.

Pics of the panel on the car at night with the tail lights on.
http://www.clarkes96ss.cz28.com/light00.JPG
http://www.clarkes96ss.cz28.com/light03.JPG
http://www.clarkes96ss.cz28.com/light04.JPG

Pics of the panel on the car with "Camaro" letters being the only light on.
http://www.clarkes96ss.cz28.com/light05.JPG
http://www.clarkes96ss.cz28.com/light06.JPG

 

Looks good, I've been wanting to do that for a long time

 

Great idea. I like the use of the EL sheet instead of a neon. Looks killer!

 

I think that looks great!!! Very nice! Whats up with the dare plate though

 

I like the color of the plate and the way it looks on the car...


Thanks for the compliments guys

 

Wow. Massive props to ya!

That looks really good. Kinda makes me think again about getting inserts.

 

Man thats looks amazing! Good job........how much to send one of those my way?

 

Yeah, great job on that mod. Looks like a very clean install. Major props.
But is there a way to turn it off if you are driving on the highway at night??

 

nice, how did you seal it so water doesn't get into the car?I assume you had to glue the lense on there so it wouldnt leak.

 

Too much!!!


As I said... I used a DPDT switch which allows me to have it come on with the headlights or have the panel light work independent with the key off. The switch I used also has the "center off" position so I can turn the light off at any time. Also, the reason I used a DPDT instead of a SPDT was because I have a bi-color LED above my switch which lights up red when the panel is on with the headlight and lights up blue when the panel is on without any lights. This way if I am out and have the "Camaro" lit independently, I will see the blue LED lit and remember to turn the panel off when I park the car for a couple of days. It is pretty cool to go places and have only the "Camaro" letters lit. really gets peoples attention.


I made the lens to the correct size that I needed and it is held in place with Permatex 16C black silicone, sealant, adhesive. Then I laid the EL flatsheet which I cut to the proper size right on the lens and again covered the entire back of the light setup with Permatex 16C silicone, sealant, adhesive to make it 100% waterproof from front and rear.

 

That looks amazing

Great work man ! !

 

MISSING: One perfectly good SIG, about 4 or 5 lines long. If seen please contact me ASAP to receive your reward !




man ive been wondering what ur profile has said for a while... about time i actually brought it into word

 

thats much work huh? Well then how about you make a detailed manual on how to do this or do you want all the glory?

 

It is actually a very simple process... just takes a lot of time and a very steady hand with a dremel to cut the letters out. After the letters are cut out, then takes a lot more time to file the letters out nice and smooth. Next find a lens that will fit over all letter and mount in place with Permatex 16C silicone, sealant, adhesive. The flatsheet I used was from www.beingseen.com and you just need to lay on the backside of the lens and cover the entire backside of the light assembly with more Permatex 16C. The last step is to wire it up.

P.S. You will need to get the panel painted before assembly

 

That looks really good!