David is correct.

Dec. 2003 issue of Automotive Engineering concerning the Ford GT's LED
taillights . . . "Ford designers did not like the look of LEDs placed in the
traditional way, with light emitting out from the car.  They instead
reversed the position of the LEDs, facing them inward so light bounces off a
reflector.  That technique alters the appearance and eliminates the
"gap-tooth" effect that cab occur in the rare event that one of the LEDs
burns out."

-John

'85 Silver Sunroof
'91 GTi 2.0 8v
'76 BMW 2002

>From: David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
>Reply-To: David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: light emitting diodes
>Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 13:54:06 -0500
>
>On Wed, 21 Jan 2004, JOHN WESTENBERG wrote:
>
> > I would also like to replace
> > exterior incandescents with LEDs, but again can find nothing but a
> > flashing break light (I would like something more subtle).
>
>I know of a few places they're available, but you'll probably be
>disappointed with the results if you use a simple plug-in solution.  LEDs
>are very directional, and the lenses in the stock brake lights are
>designed with the idea of an omnidirectional filament bulb.  You'll
>probably end up with a bright spot in the center, instead of the whole
>panel lighting up.  I think some people have fabbed up circuit boards full
>of LEDs that filled the whole brake light area, with good results.
>
>
>David Brodbeck, N8SRE
>'82 Volkswagen Diesel Westfalia
>'86 Volvo 240DL wagon

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