Blue dots.... I wonder?

Does anybody remember "blue dots" on the tail light lenses of old cars. My family was big on restoring old cars and the first time I saw them was on a 39 Chevy and we ordered a replacement of one through Hemmings. They were on other cars as well but all older.

It just occured to me that I haven't seen any on even old hot rods or other oldies for a while. I wonder if they are legal or even around in any form any more.

 

Here you go. After the post, I was talking with friends. Some had never heard of them either and a friend who grew up in LA, said all the "low riders" had them. Another from another state said they were illegal unless you car was a certain age. They really show up at night, sort of a sonic purple when the brakes are hit. When the brakes are not applied and the lights are not on they are deep blue.

 

I barely remember have seen those lights in a few cars that were already touted to be old-cars but I was really young then and almost can't remember them at all.

In fact I didn't know they are called blue dots and certainly have not seen them anymore until you brought them to mind through this pic.

 

If you go to classic car shows pay attention to the tail lights. When I lived in Michigan they were all over...the 57 chevy, the GTO's, any of the converted rods like the 30 and 40's with the flames on the sides. A car was not considered "tricked out" unless it had the blue dots. You knew when you would see someone apply the brakes ahead, if you caught up to the car it was usually fully restored or a rod of some sort. I was surprised so few knew about them here and I did do some online searching. They are illegal in many areas as laws require tail lights to be red. There are exceptions for age and for special event cars.

If you ever see them at night, the minute the brake is applied is an awesome sight. They also show from a much greater distance than plain red. I was surprised that they are surprisingly easy to still get. I saw many on line sites selling them.

 

I see them all the time when there are vintage car shows around here.
But they are technically illegal, since I don't believe you're allowed to have any color besides red/amber on your tail lights.

But on a vintage car, I doubt any cop is going to pull you over and give you a ticket for it. Especially if there is a car show going on.