Gregg nice post but I think the smoked tailights thing was a Fraiday thing (F)
Right Lyle????

Gregg Scharff wrote:

> vwmaster@VOLKS-MOTORSPORTS.COM wrote:
> >
> > Listees,
> >
> >   In our area there is a FAD going on.  Smoked Tailights.
>
> Kyle and listees,
>
> Sorry, this got a little long-winded...
>
> My intention here is not to ruin an attempt to generate some business.
>
>         Tinting of any piece of lighted automotive equipment is not legal in
> all states. It is generally allowed as "off road equipment". All should
> be careful to PERMANENTLY darken or tint headlights, tailights, and/or
> license plates (smoked plexiglass covers), as this reduces your ability
> to see or be seen. If aftermarket modifications are permanent and you
> happen to be stopped by the police (if tinted modifications are illegal
> in your state), he can render your vehicle inoperaple and forbid you to
> drive it, forcing you to a cab ride home. If they are removable tinted
> covers you can at least remove them and be on your way.
>         I am not a fan of any of the tinted add-ons. They not only lessen your
> ability to see at night and in poor conditions, but your ability to be
> seen. In a dense fog, a slow moving Vanagon needs all the help it can
> get to be seen up ahead. You West-coasters should be familiar with dense
> fog conditions. Some of those 20 car pile ups (fog related) we here
> about from time to time could have benefitted from even "better than
> stock" tailights or headlights.
>         Even worse than tinted lights are the tinted or even clear license
> plate protectors. Try reading a uncovered license plate as it speeds
> down the street and you will find it difficult to read at a distance of
> 15 feet. Put a tinted cover on it and it is nearly impossible to read.
> This may not seem important, but read on, especially all of you with
> children. If anyone you know is ever hit by a car maybe even a child
> (god forbid!) and a witness has even a fleeting chance of reading the
> plate of the car as it speeds away, a tinted plate cover (as cool as it
> looks!!!) stands between you and identifying the car. Even a nontinted
> plate cover can foil the reading of a plate, as they can cloud over
> after years of exposure to sunlight, or create a glare.
>         I apologize for this ranting I have just put all of you through. I
> would like to state that I am not some paranoid old complainer working
> for "big brother". I am 34 yrs old and I believe in everyones right to
> privacy or customization of his or her own vehicle. I believe we should
> all act responsibly towards one another when we feed our own personal
> needs. Tinted auto accessories do look way cool, but lets not forget
> there is a price on everything. I usually place Vanagon owners as those
> who don't place vanity over good smart, safe, common sense.
> Thank you for your time.
>
> Gregg (Conshohocken, Pa.)
> '85 Westy