Sam N

Just wondering if anyone with a 1995 MY "basket handle" light has converted to the '96+ brake light on the top of the window? I noticed Gert sells the conversion kit and wanted to get some feedback.

Thanks,
Sam

LAURIER

The basket handle is unique (to the coupe for ’95 only) and I recommend that you keep it on your car. May even hurt the resale value for someone who wants an original car. Also, if you convert you have to fill in the holes from the handle and have the lid repainted.

H. Miller

I agree with Rich. I had a 95 C4 (sometimes wish I still had it). It had the basket handle and I thought it unique. Also, I do like to keep my cars as stock as possible.
But, 'to each his own".

Tom Pepper

Sam:
Iwouldn't touch my basket handle. If I owned a newer 993, I'd INSTALL a basket handle just because it's so unique.

KASH '95 993

Sam, I'm planning on making this switch over some time this summer when I install my TT wing only because I'll loose my third break light. Otherwise, I agree with Rich and Miller, I would not replace it just to update.

mark911

Does anyone know if it is legal to not have a third brake light. Thinking about a nice wing back there but don't want to have to install a third brake light on top if I don't have to.

Mark S.

KC993

Hey Mark,

No third brake light in Texas... <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" /> You won't pass state inspection. <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

I had a 86' 944 turbo and the rear hatch was replaced with one WITHOUT the third brake light and got busted. Then again, you might get lucky and pass the inspection...

Speedraser

Just a quick note -- '95s built late in the model year have the 3rd brake light in the same place as the '96-on cars. The transition seems to have occurred around March or April '95 production. My car was built in May '95 and has the later style light at the top of the window.

Ray Calvo

As I remember, folks had problems with 3rd brake light retrofit at times on these cars; the wiring installation under the rear window weather seal would give way. Do an archive search.

Installation completely described in the 1996 Tech Bulletin compilation; got to <a href="http://www.my-porsche.com" target="_blank">www.my-porsche.com</a> and buy it.

jocko

[quote]Originally posted by Sam N:
<strong>Just wondering if anyone with a 1995 MY "basket handle" light has converted to the '96+ brake light on the top of the window? I noticed Gert sells the conversion kit and wanted to get some feedback.

Thanks,
Sam</strong><hr></blockquote>

jocko

[quote]Originally posted by Sam N:
<strong>Just wondering if anyone with a 1995 MY "basket handle" light has converted to the '96+ brake light on the top of the window? I noticed Gert sells the conversion kit and wanted to get some feedback.

Thanks,
Sam</strong><hr></blockquote>

Sam,

I orginally planned to do the conversion on my 95 and bought a 993S complete engine cover with a split grill from a 97 so I would have my orginal cover to install if I sell the car (I never will). I purchased the third brake light but after looking at the car without it, I left it off completely. I would definitely recommend the change as I feel the baskethandle is UGLY!

DJF1

Having a cabriolet there is no other place to put the brake light. As this summer I'm getting an RS wing installed I think that the 3rd brake light may or may not clear the height of the spoiler. So looking at a 964 cab I saw the third brake light they have and this I think would definately clear the spoiler as it is taller. I'm not thrilled with this thing sticking up like on the 964 but I do not see any other way! What do you guys think? Will this swap be possible?

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Tim, near Boston

The basket handle CHMSL is present on all MY 993 targas.

Sam N

Thanks to everyone for their input. I'll hold off on doing the conversion. I think if I wanted to install an RS wing on the car then I would have to replace the basket handle, however, I don't have plans to do so yet.

I'll stick with my breadbasket for now!

Thanks,
Sam

J-McDonald

I had the "ET-head" third brake light removed from my '91 C2 cab when I had an RS America tail put on the car (I've always thought the light was ugly and disrupted the car's flowing lines; also the wing wouldn't clear the base of the light without modification).

FWIW, I spoke with an autobody guy who works on lots of Porsches (and has for a number of years) and he said that removing the ET-head brake light from 911 cabs for aesthetic reasons was VERY common in the late 80's and early 90's. This is supported by the number of 1989 and up 911 cabs without third brake lights that I've seen advertised.

Since my car won't come up for inspection until April 2003, the lack of third brake light won't be even a potential issue for quite some time. Also, the car is old enough that I doubt that a police officer would be sure enough to write me a ticket for not having a third brake light.

I figure that, in the unlikely event that the inspection agents do fail the car for the lack of third-brake light (or a police officer tickets me), I'll have a 993-style "hoop" light put on it at that time. I've done the measurements -- the hoop light will clear the RS America tail without modification.