86-490: The original Plymouth Duster is a semi- fastback two-door coupe version of the compact-sized Plymouth Valiant automobile that was marketed by Plymouth in the U.S. from 1970 to 1976 model years. The Duster coupe provided the compact -sized Plymouth Valiant with a sporty body style to attract customers. The car was a $ 15 million effort to update the Valiant for the 1970 model year. The Valiant badge appeared only on
172-463: A coupe but sometimes a sedan, with a roof sloped gradually in an unbroken line from the windshield to the rear edge of the car. A fastback naturally lends itself to a hatchback configuration and many have it, but not all hatchbacks are fastbacks and vice versa. In the case of the Ford Mustang , the term "fastback" is used to differentiate against the coupé notchback body style, which has
258-630: A deluxe insulation package, and a canopy vinyl roof . The Gold Duster was offered through 1975 of which 24,817 were equipped with the 318 engine. The Duster was a success for Plymouth, so much so that in 1971 Dodge requested and received their own version, the Demon . In response, Plymouth was given a version of the Dodge Dart Swinger 2-door hardtop named the Plymouth Valiant Scamp . For 1971, only small changes were made to
344-428: A horizontal stalk protruding from the side of the steering column, though on some vehicles it protrudes from the dashboard. The driver raises or lowers the outboard end of the stalk in accord with the clockwise or anticlockwise direction the steering wheel is about to be turned. In left-hand drive vehicles, the turn indicator stalk is usually located to the left of the steering wheel. In right-hand-drive vehicles, there
430-485: A less practical, elongated rear end design. In Australia, fastbacks (known as "slopers") were introduced in 1935, first designed by General Motors' Holden as one of the available bodies on Oldsmobile , Chevrolet , and Pontiac chassis. The sloper design was added by Richards Body Builders in Australia to Dodge and Plymouth models in 1937; it was subsequently adopted by Ford Australia in 1939 and 1940, as well as
516-463: A low drag coefficient . For example, although lacking a wind tunnel , Hudson designed its post-World War II cars to look aerodynamic, and "tests conducted by Nash later found that the Hudson had almost 20% less drag than contemporary notchback sedans". However, the aerodynamic teardrop shape meant lower headroom for rear seat passengers, limited visibility to the rear for the driver, and also meant
602-478: A performance-oriented Duster 340. Engine options were 198 cu in (3.2 L) and 225 cu in (3.7 L) versions of Chrysler's Slant Six , as well as the 318 cu in (5.2 L) and 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA-series V8s . At midyear, a Gold Duster trim package was added. The Gold Duster package came with gold badging, gold stripes on the sides and rear, wall-to-wall carpeting, pleated, all-vinyl seats, whitewalls, wheel covers,
688-559: A predecessor to the modern turn signal, and a mechanical brake signal. She did not patent these inventions, however, and received no credit or profit from them. Tail lights and brake lights were introduced around 1915, and by 1919, low-beam or dipped beam headlights were available. Sealed beam headlights were introduced in 1936 and standardized as the only acceptable type in the US in 1940. Self-cancelling turn signals were developed in 1940. By 1945, headlights and signal lights were integrated into
774-413: A reduction in compression ratio from 10.2:1 to 8.5:1, as well as changing the intake valves from 2.02 in (51 mm) to 1.88 in (48 mm). All horsepower rating numbers, even on unchanged engines, decreased for 1972 due to a new rating protocol . Chrysler's electronic ignition became standard on the 340 models in 1972. Also, there was a 1-year only air cleaner that had a vacuum-operated door at
860-437: A reference point for oncoming traffic where the widest part of the body was. These were sometimes used in tandem with fender lights during the same time period, when fenders were separate from the body and only covered the wheels. Direction indicator lights or turn signals, informally known as directional signals, directionals, blinkers, or indicators, are blinking lights mounted near the left and right front and rear corners of
946-563: A result, the UK requirement for dim-dip was quashed. Nevertheless, dim-dip systems remain permitted, and while such systems are not presently as common as they once were, dim-dip functionality was fitted on many new cars well into the 1990s. In the United States, amber front and red rear side marker lights and retroreflectors are required. The law initially required lights or retroreflectors on vehicles manufactured after 1 January 1968. This
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#17327727476341032-405: A roofline that tapers downward toward the car's rear before being cut off abruptly. Some models, such as the Ford Mustang , have been marketed explicitly as fastbacks, often to differentiate them from other body styles (e.g. coupé models) in the same model range . A fastback is often defined as having a single slope from the roof to the rear of the vehicle. Traditionally a fastback will have
1118-463: A semi-fastback roof and a special rear valance having no bezels. The door glass was operated by a new regulator mechanism, required to fit the much more radical tumblehome (reduced side glass radius), and the windshield was more steeply raked. For 1970 only, a small Valiant badge went on the front fenders just above the Duster badge. The 1970 Duster was available in two models – the standard Duster and
1204-628: A sloper style made on Nash chassis. According to automotive historian G.N. Georgano , "the Slopers were advanced cars for their day". In Europe, there was a sloping rear on streamlined cars as early as 1945, from which the shapes of the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 356 are derived. In Japan, the Toyota AA first adopted the fastback style in 1936. It was strongly influenced by the 1933 DeSoto Airflow . The 1965 Mitsubishi Colt 800
1290-399: A standard feature until several years after its introduction. Dynamos for automobile headlights were first fitted around 1908 and became commonplace in 1920s automobiles. Trafficators —signalling arms that flipped up, which later were lighted—were introduced in about 1900. Silent film star Florence Lawrence is credited with introducing an innovative version of the signalling arm in 1914,
1376-422: A steady rate of between 60 and 120 pulses per minute (1–2 Hz). International UN Regulations require that all turn signals flash in simultaneous phase; US regulations permit side marker lights wired for side turn signal functionality to flash in opposite-phase. An audio and/or visual tell-tale indicator is required, to advise the driver when the turn signals are activated and operating. This usually takes
1462-457: A steeper rear window followed by a horizontal trunk lid. Automobile designers in the 1930s began using elements of aircraft aerodynamics to streamline the boxy-looking vehicles of their day. Such designs, which were ahead of their time when exhibited during the early 1930s, included a droplet -like streamlining of the car's rear, a configuration similar to what would become known as the "fastback" 25 years later. Merriam-Webster first recognized
1548-511: A thermal flasher. If the stalk switch is not moved beyond the fixed left/right position and allowed to flip back, the control module will only flash the lights three times. Electric turn signal lights date from as early as 1907. Possibly the first factory installation of illuminated turn signals was on the Talbot 105 (as well as the 75 and 95), which used them at the front as well as at the rear from 1932 until 1935. The modern flashing turn signal
1634-467: A trunk opening that is separate from the rear window which remains in a fixed position. The term "fastback" is not interchangeable with " liftback "; the former describes the car's shape, and the latter refers to a roof-hinged tailgate that lifts upwards for storage area access. More specifically, the Road & Track Illustrated Automotive Dictionary defines the fastback as A closed body style, usually
1720-443: A turn indicator self-cancelling feature that returns the lever to the neutral (no signal) position as the steering wheel approaches the straight-ahead position after a turn has been made. Beginning in the late 1960s, using the direction-indicator lights to signal for a lane change was facilitated by the addition of a spring-loaded momentary signal-on position just shy of the left and right detents . The signal operates for however long
1806-629: A vehicle conspicuous and visible with respect to its presence, position, direction of travel, change in direction, or deceleration. Such lights may light steadily, blink, or flash, depending on their intended and regulated function. Most must be fitted in pairs—one left and one right—though some vehicles have multiple pairs (such as two left and two right stop lights) and/or redundant light sources (such as one left and one right stop light, each containing two bulbs). Front position lights (known as parking lights in North America and front sidelights in
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#17327727476341892-413: A vehicle, and sometimes on the sides or on the side mirrors of a vehicle (where they are called repeaters ). They are activated by the driver on one side of the vehicle at a time to advertise intent to turn or change lanes towards that side, or used simultaneously as a hazard warning signal to warn other drivers of a vehicle parked on the road (see below). For many years, turn signals' on-off operation
1978-495: Is also a security flap to hide cargo from outside view. A new, metal sunroof was optional for 1973. The rear window defroster/defogger was upgraded to an electric-grid style for 1973, which replaced the previous recessed package shelf air blower. For 1974, Plymouth replaced the 340 with a 360 cu in (5.9 L) version of the corporate LA-series V8, de-tuned to meet new emissions regulations . The new for 1974 "E58" 360 engine produced 245 bhp (183 kW) by utilizing
2064-672: Is frequently cosmetic. They are often available as optional extras or only on higher trim levels of many cars. Since as early as the 2020s, several car manufacturers have noticeably omitted the front fog lights from many of their latest models, as more recent high-tech lighting technologies such as DRLs and LEDs connected to automatic high-beam systems negate the use of fog lights. However, some manufacturers who still offer fog lights as standard equipment in certain model trims have diversified its use to function also as an automatic lighting delay for vehicles, to light up surroundings and roadside curbs after being parked. An SAE study has shown that in
2150-576: Is less consistency; it may be located to the left or to the right of the steering wheel. Regulations do not specify a mandatory location for the turn signal control, only that it be visible and operable by the driver, and—at least in North America—that it be labelled with a specific symbol if it is not located on the left side of the steering column. The international UN Regulations do not include analogous specifications. Virtually all vehicles (except many motorcycles and commercial semi-tractors) have
2236-416: Is optional under UN and US regulations, is served passively in the United States by mandatory side marker retroreflectors . Some countries permit or require vehicles to be equipped with daytime running lights (DRLs). Depending on the regulations of the country for which the vehicle is built, these may be functionally dedicated lights, or the function may be provided by the low beam or high beam headlights,
2322-571: Is specified for use whenever other vehicles are present ahead. UN ECE regulations for dipped beam headlights specify a beam with a sharp, asymmetric cut-off; the half of the beam closest to oncoming drivers is flat and low, while the half of the beam closest to the outside of the road slopes up and towards the near side of the roadway. This permits a functional compromise where it is possible to substantially prevent glare for oncoming drivers, while still allowing adequate illumination for drivers to see pedestrians, road signs, hazards, etc. on their side of
2408-520: Is still found in international UN Regulations, which do not distinguish between a vehicle's primary (mandatory) and auxiliary (optional) upper/driving beam lights. The "driving light" term has been supplanted in US regulations by the functionally descriptive term "auxiliary high-beam light". Many countries regulate the installation and use of driving lights. For example, in Russia, each vehicle may have no more than three pairs of driving lights (including
2494-408: Is to use a relaxation oscillator chip to generate square waves to the relay coil, causing the relay contacts to open and close. Modern cars now use a relaxation oscillator and solid-state relay built into the body control module to flash the lights, and use speakers to produce the distinctive clicking sound associated with turn signals, which was previously made by a relay or the leaf spring in
2580-596: The Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare twins replaced the Dodge Dart and Plymouth Duster, which were still based on bodies originally sold in 1967. The fastback coupes featured a solid B-pillar with fixed rear glass. These new models were introduced to compete with the more upscale Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch . From 1974 to 1975, actress Judy Strangis was a TV pitchwoman for the Plymouth Duster in
2666-453: The Nordic countries that receive fewer daylight hours during winter. "Driving light" is a term hailing from the early days of night time driving, when it was relatively rare to encounter an opposing vehicle. Only on occasions when opposing drivers passed each other would the low (dipped or "passing") beam be used. The high beam was therefore known as the "driving beam", and this terminology
Plymouth Duster - Misplaced Pages Continue
2752-405: The side-view mirrors in 1998, starting with its facelifted E-Class (W210) . Since then, many automakers have been incorporating side turn signal devices into the mirror housings rather than mounting them on the vehicle's fenders . Some evidence suggests that mirror-mounted turn signals may be more effective than fender-mounted ones. Turn signals are required to blink on and off, or "flash", at
2838-499: The 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and later specified in the 1968 United Nations Vienna Convention on Road Traffic . With some regional exceptions, lights facing rearward must emit red light, side-facing lights and all turn signals must emit amber light, and lights facing forward must emit white or selective yellow light. No other colours are permitted except on emergency vehicles. Vehicle lighting colour specifications can differ somewhat in countries that have not signed
2924-575: The 1949 and/or 1968 Conventions; examples include turn signals and side marker lights in North America, as described in those lights' sections later in this article. Forward illumination is provided by high- ("main", "full", "driving") and low- ("dip", "dipped", "passing") beam headlights , which may be augmented by auxiliary fog lights, driving lights, or cornering lights. Low beam (also called dipped beam, passing beam, or meeting beam) headlights provide adequate forward and lateral illumination without dazzling other road users with excessive glare. This beam
3010-508: The 1975 model Dusters left the factory equipped with the 360 engine. The grille-mounted park and turn signal lenses were amber; prior years had colorless lenses with amber bulbs. The interior rearview mirror was mounted directly to the windshield rather than to the previous double-pivot roof bracket, and the parking brake was now foot- rather than hand-operated. Disc brakes became standard equipment on cars built after 1 January 1976. Several special models were offered: The Duster 360 option
3096-455: The 340 V8 late in the 1971 model year. In 1971, 186,478 Plymouth Dusters were built, with 12,886 equipped with the higher horsepower 340 cubic inch engines. The Duster was not changed significantly for 1972. New surface-mount sidemarker lights replaced the previous flush-mount items, the taillamps became larger, one-piece units. The power rating of the 340 V8 was reduced from 275 bhp (205 kW) to 245 bhp (183 kW) due in part to
3182-447: The 360 engine, dual exhaust, power disc brakes, full side tape stripe, rear tape stripe, heavier suspension, shocks, added sway bar, and 8 1/4" rear end. Plymouth built 3,969 of these models and most came with automatic transmissions. Duster 360 options included Goodyear raised white letter tires on rally wheels. Air conditioning, a fold-back sunroof, and a flip-down rear seat were also available. The 1975 models were mostly unchanged from
3268-452: The 5-lugs on a 4-inch pattern on vehicles with the standard drum brakes. A three-speed Torque Flight automatic along with a manual transmission was offered with the 225 slant six. All models received larger front wheel bearings and increased spindle diameter. Electronic ignition became standard across the board. Also, a Space Duster package was offered. This allowed the back bench seat to be folded down, allowing more space to carry cargo. There
3354-518: The Demon, was rebranded "Dart Sport" in response to religious groups' opposition to the word, "Demon." Other changes were in store for the Plymouth Duster. Simpler single-piston slider-type disc brake calipers were introduced for the 1973 model year (standard on 318-powered cars and with power-assist on 340 models), replacing the Kelsey Hayes four-piston calipers. Disc brake-equipped Dusters now had
3440-475: The Duster were offered with names that included Feather Duster, Gold Duster, Silver Duster, Space Duster, Duster Twister, Duster 340, and Duster 360. These marketing variations of the basic Duster design targeted customers seeking economy, cargo capacity, and/or performance. After failed negotiations with Warner Brothers for use of the Tasmanian Devil cartoon, the Duster's "twister" logo and font logo
3526-680: The Duster. The "Valiant" fender badges and "Plymouth" grille logotype were deleted. A new trim package was released, called the Duster Twister . The Twister package presented the appearance of the Duster 340, but came only with the base I6 or 318 V8. The Twister's appearance package included special side stripes that mimicked the Duster 340 Wedge stripes, a matte-black hood, and the 340's special shark-tooth grille. A nonfunctional dual hood scoop and rear spoiler appearance package were available, as were high-back bucket seats and dual exhaust. A new electronic "breakerless" ignition became optional on
Plymouth Duster - Misplaced Pages Continue
3612-451: The UK) provide nighttime standing-vehicle conspicuity. They are designed to use little electricity so they can be left on when parked for prolonged periods of time. Despite the UK term, these are not the same as the side marker lights described below. The front position lights on any vehicle must emit white light, with the exception of motorcycles, which may have amber front position lights. In
3698-534: The US, Canada, Mexico, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia (only if combined with a side marker), South Korea, North Korea, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and much of the Middle East, they may emit amber light on any vehicle. The "city light" terminology for front position lights derives from the practice, formerly adhered to in cities like Moscow, London and Paris, of driving at night in urban areas using these low- intensity lights rather than
3784-405: The US, daytime running lights may emit either amber or white light, and may produce up to 7,000 candela. This has provoked a large number of complaints about glare . UK regulations briefly required vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1987 to be equipped with a "dim-dip" device or special low-intensity running lights, except such vehicles as complying fully with UN Regulation 48 regarding
3870-555: The United States, more people inappropriately use their fog lights in dry weather than use them properly in poor weather. Because of this, use of the fog lights when visibility is not seriously reduced is often prohibited in most jurisdictions; for example, in Australia, "The driver of a vehicle must not use any fog light fitted to the vehicle unless the driver is driving in fog, mist or under other atmospheric conditions that restrict visibility. " The respective purposes of front fog lights and driving lights are often confused, due in part to
3956-410: The bimetallic strip cooled down, it would pull the leaf spring back over centre in the other direction, closing the contacts and again sending power to the lights and heating element. The cycle would repeat until the power to the thermal flasher was switched off by the stalk switch. Thermal flashers gradually gave way to electromechanical relays ; one of many control strategies with relay-type flashers
4042-507: The body styling. Halogen headlights were developed in Europe in 1960. High-intensity discharge (HID) headlights were produced starting in 1991. In 1993, the first LED tail lights were installed on mass-production automobiles, with LED headlights subsequently being introduced in the 2000s as more powerful LEDs became available. The colour of light emitted by vehicle lights is largely standardized by established conventions, first codified in
4128-456: The bottom to allow for additional airflow when the throttle is depressed. Following the design changes on the Valiant models, the Duster also received a new hood, grille, front fenders, bumpers, and taillights for 1973. The taillights in previous years mounted from the inside and had a flush appearance. Starting in 1973, the taillights were mounted from the outside and were trimmed in chrome. These remained unchanged through 1976. The Dodge version,
4214-429: The camshaft, heads, intake manifold, carburetor, and dual-exhaust set up from the past 340 engine. New retractable front seat belts were added. In the midst of the first oil crisis, 1974 would be the Duster's best sales year, with a total of 281,378 Duster-bodied cars produced, the majority of which being the six-cylinder and 318 V8 models. In 1974 there was a separate model called the Duster 360. Standard equipment included
4300-556: The dual function of illuminating the road ahead for the driver, and making the vehicle visible to others, with indications to them of turning, slowing or stopping, etc., with lights also indicating the size of some large vehicles. Many emergency vehicles have distinctive lighting equipment to warn drivers of their presence. Early road vehicles used fuelled lamps before the availability of electric lighting. The first Ford Model T used carbide lamps for headlights and oil lamps for tail lights. It did not have all-electric lighting as
4386-432: The early 1940s until 1950, nearly every domestic manufacturer offered at least one fastback body style within their model lineups. Although the styling was good, the cars had less trunk capacity compared to the notchback designs. In the mid-1960s, the style was revived on many GM and Ford products until the mid-1970s. Marketing terminology changed in 2004, with the launch of the first generation Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class . It
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#17327727476344472-471: The engine was running and the driver switched on the position lights (called sidelights in the UK). Dim-dip was intended to provide a nighttime "town beam" with intensity between that of contemporary parking lights commonly used in city traffic after dark, and dipped beams; the former were considered insufficiently intense to provide improved conspicuity in conditions requiring it, while the latter were considered too glaring for safe use in built-up areas. The UK
4558-508: The first model year Dusters, and continued to be used on all the companion 4-door sedan and 2-door Valiant Scamp hardtop models. The Duster was built on the Valiant platform and shared the same front end sheet metal, but featured a different design from the cowl back. The Duster was also positioned to compete with Ford's slightly smaller semi-fastback Maverick compact car and the AMC Hornet that were both also introduced in 1970, and
4644-440: The form of one green light on the dashboard on cars from the 1950s or older, or two green indicator lights on cars from the 1960s to the present, and a rhythmic ticking sound generated electromechanically or electronically by the flasher. It is also required that the vehicle operator be alerted by much faster- or slower-than-normal flashing in the event a turn signal light fails. Turn signals are, in almost every case, activated by
4730-403: The front and rear, except rear side markers may be red if they are grouped, combined, or reciprocally incorporated with another rear lighting function that is required to be red. Australian Design Rule 45/01 provides for two different kinds of side marker light: a type for trucks and other large vehicles producing amber light to the front and red to the rear with no requirement to emit light to
4816-810: The front doors and swung out to a horizontal position. They were fragile and could be easily broken off, and also had a tendency to stick in the closed or open position. They could be fitted with a fixed or flashing light. After turn signals were introduced regulations were brought in requiring them and laying out specifications that had to be met. Ultimately standards governed minimum and maximum permissible intensity levels, minimum horizontal and vertical angles of visibility, and minimum illuminated surface area, to ensure that they are visible at all relevant angles, do not dazzle those who view them, and are suitably conspicuous in all conditions ranging from full darkness to full direct sunlight. In most countries, cars must be equipped with side-mounted turn signal repeaters to make
4902-559: The front turn signals, or the front fog lights. Passenger cars and small delivery vans first type approved to UN Regulation 48 on or after 7 February 2011, and large vehicles (trucks and buses) type approved since August 2012, must be equipped with DRLs. Functional piggybacking, such as using the headlights, front turn signals, or fog lights as DRLs, is not permitted; the EU Directive requires functionally specific daytime running lights compliant with UN Regulation 87 and mounted to
4988-501: The installation of lighting equipment. A dim-dip device operates the dipped beam headlights at between 10% and 20% of normal low-beam intensity. Running lights permitted as an alternative to dim-dip were required to emit at least 200 candela straight ahead, and no more than 800 candela in any direction. In practice, most vehicles were equipped with the dim-dip option rather than dedicated running lights. The dim-dip systems were not intended for daytime use as DRLs . Rather, they operated if
5074-507: The jurisdiction and the DRL implementation. Likewise, according to jurisdictional regulations, DRLs mounted within a certain distance of turn signals are permitted or required to extinguish or dim down to parking light intensity individually when the adjacent turn signal is operating. UN Regulation 87 stipulates that DRLs must emit white light with an intensity of at least 400 candela on axis and no more than 1200 candela in any direction. In
5160-480: The late 1960s to the 1970s, American coke bottle styling became popular in Japan, as seen on Toyota 's 1973 Celica "Liftback" . In North America, the numerous marketing terms for the fastback body style included "aerosedan", "club coupe", "sedanette" and "torpedo back". Cars included Cadillac 's Series 61 and 62 Club Coupes, as well as various other models from General Motors , Ford , and Chrysler . From
5246-487: The misconception that fog lights are always selective yellow, while any auxiliary light that makes white light is a driving light. Automakers and aftermarket parts and accessories suppliers frequently refer interchangeably to "fog lights" and "driving lights" (or "fog/driving lights"). On some models, cornering lights provide steady-intensity white light for lateral illumination in the direction of an intended turn or lane change. They are generally actuated in conjunction with
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#17327727476345332-439: The more-common 5-lugs on a 4.5-inch wheel bolt pattern. All 340 and some 318 engine-equipped cars received the simplified 8.25-inch rear axle assembly (with wheel bearings riding directly on the axle shaft and endplay being taken by C-clips); these axles also featured the 5 on a 4.5-inch wheel bolt pattern. (This axle assembly replaced the 8.75-inch "drop-out" arrangement seen on some 1966-1972 A-bodies). The 225-powered cars retained
5418-484: The original lights), and in Paraguay, auxiliary driving lights must be off and covered with opaque material when the vehicle is operated in urban areas. Front fog lights provide a wide, bar-shaped beam of light with a sharp cutoff at the top, and are generally aimed and mounted low. They may produce white or selective yellow light, and were designed for use at low speed to increase the illumination directed towards
5504-471: The previous two years, with some exceptions: a new grille with a return of the Plymouth 3-pointed-'spear' affixed to the grille's center; catalytic converters were added to 225 Slant Six and 318 V8 models (the 360 was not equipped with a converter and its power was now 235 bhp (175 kW), due to the addition of a secondary air injection system, commonly referred to as a "smog pump". Fewer than 2000 of
5590-491: The road is also flat, but higher than the half closest to oncoming vehicles. This results in substantially increased glare for oncoming drivers and also poorer illumination of the near side of the roadway in comparison to headlights conforming to UN ECE regulations. High beam (also called main beam, driving beam, or full beam) headlights provide an intense, centre-weighted distribution of light with no particular glare control. Therefore, they are only suitable for use when alone on
5676-451: The road surface and verges in conditions of poor visibility due to fog , dust or snow . They are sometimes used in place of dipped-beam headlights, reducing glare from fog or falling snow, although the legality of using front fog lights without low-beam headlights varies by jurisdiction. In most countries, weather conditions rarely necessitate the use of front fog lights and there is no legal requirement for them, so their primary purpose
5762-589: The road, as the glare they produce will dazzle other drivers. UN ECE Regulations permit higher-intensity high-beam headlights than allowed under U.S. and Canadian FMVSS / CMVSS standards. Auxiliary high beam lights may be fitted to provide high-intensity light to enable the driver to see at longer range than the vehicle's high beam headlights. Such lights are most notably fitted on rally cars, and are occasionally fitted to production vehicles derived from or imitating such cars. They are common in countries with large stretches of unlit roads, or in regions such as
5848-460: The road. The United States and Canada use proprietary FMVSS / CMVSS standards instead of UN ECE regulations. These standards contain regulations for dipped beam headlights that also specify a beam with a sharp, asymmetric cut-off; the half of the beam closest to oncoming drivers is also flat and low, but not as low as prescribed in UN ECE regulations. The half of the beam closest to the outside of
5934-410: The role of "Mean Mary Jean," wearing a football jersey and short denim hot-pants. Strangis also promoted Plymouth's Volare and Road Runner models and appeared at Chrysler-Plymouth promotions and auto shows. Fastback A fastback is an automotive styling feature , defined by the rear of the car having a single slope from the roof to the tail. The kammback is not a fastback design with
6020-414: The side (intended for showing the overall length of long vehicles from in front and behind a combination) and the U.S. type amber front/red rear lights for passenger cars. Side marker lights can be seen as the successor to "cowl lights" used on vehicles during the 1920s to 1930s, which were a pair of small lights installed at the top edges of the cowl between the hood and the windshield, and would serve as
6106-561: The slightly larger semi-fastback Chevrolet Nova whose design was introduced in 1968. While the Maverick, Hornet, and Nova were offered in a 4-door sedan body style, the Duster nameplate was used only for the 2-door coupe. The Duster was also marketed as an alternative to the original Volkswagen Beetle , as well as the new class of domestic subcompact cars such as the Chevrolet Vega . Numerous trim and option package variants of
6192-652: The term "fastback" in 1954, many years before the popularization of the term "hatchback", which entered the dictionary in 1970. Opinions vary as to whether the terms are mutually exclusive. Early examples of fastback cars include the 1929 Auburn Cabin Speedster, 1933 Cadillac V-16 Aerodynamic Coupe, 1935 Stout Scarab , 1933 Packard 1106 Twelve Aero Sport Coupe, Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic, Tatra 87 , Porsche 356 , Saab 92/96 , Standard Vanguard , GAZ-M20 Pobeda , and Bentley Continental R-Type . Fastbacks provide an advantage in developing aerodynamic vehicles with
6278-431: The turn indication visible laterally (i.e. to the sides of the vehicle) rather than just to the front and rear of the vehicle. These are permitted, but not required in the United States and Canada. As an alternative in both the United States and Canada, the front amber side marker lights may be wired to flash with the turn signals, but this is not mandatory. Mercedes-Benz introduced side turn signal repeaters integrated into
6364-612: The turn signals, and they may be wired to also illuminate when the vehicle is shifted into reverse gear. Some modern vehicles activate the cornering light on one or the other side when the steering wheel input reaches a predetermined angle in that direction, regardless of whether a turn signal has been activated. American technical standards contain provisions for front cornering lights as well as rear cornering lights. Cornering lights have traditionally been prohibited under international UN Regulations, though provisions have recently been made to allow them as long as they are only operable when
6450-422: The turn signals; nevertheless, they are not required to flash at all. Side markers are permitted but not required on cars and light passenger vehicles outside the United States and Canada. If installed, they are required to be brighter and visible through a larger horizontal angle than US side markers, may flash only in synchronous phase with the turn signals (but are not required to flash), and they must be amber at
6536-641: The vehicle in accord with UN Regulation 48. Prior to the DRL mandate, countries requiring daytime lights permitted low beam headlights to provide that function. National regulations in Canada, Sweden, Norway, Slovenia, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark require hardwired automatic DRL systems of varying specification. DRLs are permitted in many countries where they are not required, but prohibited in other countries not requiring them. Front, side, and rear position lights are permitted, required, or forbidden to illuminate in combination with daytime running lights, depending on
6622-436: The vehicle is travelling at less than 40 kilometres per hour (about 25 mph). Police cars, emergency vehicles, and vehicles competing in road rallies are sometimes equipped with an auxiliary spotlight, sometimes called an "alley light", in a swivel-mounted housing attached to one or both A-pillars , aimed by a handle protruding through the pillar into the vehicle. Conspicuity devices are lights and reflectors that make
6708-508: The vehicle's headlights. In Germany, the StVZO (Road Traffic Licensing Regulations) calls for a different function provided by these lights: with the vehicle's ignition switched off, the operator may activate a low-intensity white light at the front and red light at the rear on either the left or right side. This function is used when parking in narrow unlit streets to provide parked-vehicle conspicuity to approaching drivers. This function, which
6794-405: Was activated by a thermal flasher unit which used a heating element , leaf spring , and a bimetallic strip . When activated by the stalk switch on the steering column , the signal lights and heating element turned on. The heat caused the bimetallic strip to bend such that it threw the leaf spring over centre, opening the circuit and breaking power to the heating element and the signal lights. When
6880-481: Was amended to require lights and retroreflectors on vehicles manufactured after 1 January 1970. These side-facing devices make the vehicle's presence, position and direction of travel clearly visible from oblique angles. The lights are wired to illuminate whenever the vehicles' parking lights and tail lights are on, including when the headlights are being used. Front amber side markers in the United States may be wired to flash in synchronous phase or opposite-phase with
6966-443: Was created by Chrysler's Thomas Bertsch (1952–1987). Bertsch was the director of the interior styling and design studio for much of his career. Many corresponding graphics were used for different trim packages over the years. The Plymouth Duster introduced in late-1969 for the 1970 model year was all Valiant from the cowl forward, but the rest of the car's sheet metal, save door skins, was completely different. The design incorporated
7052-399: Was deleted as a separate model as the engine became an option on any trim level Duster, and about 1,300 cars were equipped with it. The 1976 360-powered Duster (and Dart Sport 360) was still without a catalytic converter, and while its power was down to 225 bhp (168 kW), the car could still manage 0–60 mph in 7.9 seconds when equipped with the 3.21 rear axle gearing. In mid-1976
7138-917: Was described as a 4-door coupé , a purely marketing term describing its fastback sedan arrangement, with fastback coupé-profiled bodywork and two doors on each side. The design reinterpreted the concept used in the 1992-1997 Infiniti J30/Nissan Leopard J Férié , which is not a true fastback. This marketing term was followed by other competing models, such as the Audi A7 and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, Audi A5 Sportback, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, Volkswagen CC , Volkswagen Arteon , Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class , Aston Martin Rapide , and Porsche Panamera . Automotive lighting A motor vehicle has lighting and signaling devices mounted to or integrated into its front, rear, sides, and, in some cases, top. Various devices have
7224-633: Was patented in 1938, and shortly after, most major automobile manufacturers offered this optional feature before it became mandatory in 1967. As of 2013 , most countries require turn signals on all new vehicles that are driven on public roadways. Alternative systems of hand signals were used earlier and remain common for bicycles. Hand signals are also sometimes used when regular vehicle lights are malfunctioning or for older vehicles without turn signals. Some cars from about 1900 to through 1966 used retractable semaphores called trafficators rather than flashing lights. They were commonly mounted high up behind
7310-446: Was the first post-war Japanese fastback, and the 1958 Subaru 360 was the first kei fastback. The Prince Skyline 1900 Sprint was developed by Prince Motor Company in 1963, but was never marketed. Afterwards, all Japanese automakers adopted the fastback style, with the 1967 Honda N360 , 1968 Nissan Sunny Coupe, 1968 Mazda Familia Rotary Coupe, 1970 Suzuki Fronte "Sting Ray Look" , and 1971 Daihatsu Fellow Max . From
7396-594: Was the only country to require such dim-dip systems, though vehicles so equipped were sold in other Commonwealth countries with left-hand traffic . In 1988, the European Commission successfully prosecuted the UK government in the European Court of Justice , arguing that the UK requirement for dim-dip was illegal under EC directives prohibiting member states from enacting vehicle lighting requirements not contained in pan-European EC directives. As
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