The light you have pictured above is a good reproduction of an original Rotunda accessory made by the Hobbs company for a lot of auto manufacturers years ago and still available from Mustang and other classic car vendors as well as eBay and such. I have one under my hood and one in my trunk lid, both wired to the courtesy lamp feed at the driver's door jamb and they do come on when the hood or trunk are opened. If I'm going to have either of them open for a long time I will just take the bulb out.

 

Do you have any photos of the installation and the wire routing? Thx!

 

The originals switched on and off based on the angle (pitch) of the hood or trunk lid. When opened, elemental mercury would shift and make (turn on) or break (turn off) the power flow to the bulb. If you have ever looked at an old school mercury thermostat it is the same principal.

 

I used an LED strip with 3M adhesive. Not quite as period correct and is manually switched, but you can hide it pretty well and provides a good bit of light.

 

I think it would be nice to have some switched lighting for the trunk and under the hood when open. There is the common lamp kit with I believe a gravity switch that engages when the trunk or hood is lifted.

https://www.classicindustries.com/product/15a700.html

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If anyone has used it where did you mount it and the routing of the wire?

Im also open to other ideas that have the power triggered by the lift. I think I’d replace the above lamp kit with an LED

I used two OEM/Rotunda ones in my trunk. I ran the wires down the hinges and used a pea size piece of 3M rope seal to hold wires when needed. My feed came from an accessory under the dash. I don't remember which one, but it was plug and play.

 

The trunk light was an option. There is a loose wire in the trunk that you can plug into… at least on the 69 models but I think all first gens have this. That is what I plugged into. I also did the led strip with adhesive. I added a switch so I can manually turn on.

 

I install an oem trunk light on my 67 vert. There was a factory spot/pocket to install it. I can take a pic tomorrow. I can unplug it in the trunk when at shows. Ran the power wire up thru rocker panel along with rear harness.

 

Thanks everyone. You’ve been awesome help.


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One thing to consider is that if you install one of these non-switched options, you will need to remember to always close the hood/trunk every time you walk away... or you'll be dealing with flat batteries all the time.

For that reason I just use a magnetic flashlight if I need to hang a light. I cannot be trusted to remember to close the hood/trunk.

 

I used a small sensor that detects you moving when the trunk is open. It has a delay in it as well and I wired it to 2 small led lamps that are in the small oblong cutouts in the panel between the front of the trunk and the roof, 66 conv.
In one picture you can spot the sensor in the middle and one of the lamps recessed in the other.

 

 

As said for pics, here's my 67 trunk oem light. I never worry about draining battery because all car shows day time with trunk open. So light plug always unplugged. But there IF I ever need.

 

I have only seen a few cars that have old original lights like these.

I added the repop ones to my car and found a warm white LED for RV lights which works great for the hood but is kinda bright for the trunk.

It's funny, people always point at the one under the hood and say "What the hell is that?" when I have it turned off.

I noticed that these came with 6v bulbs that were really bright for a few mins before blowing.

@Kelly_H is right about the increased chance of having to ask someone for a jump. I put a small waterproof rubber covered switch for the one under the hood and actually leave it off most of the time. The trunk one just has a bullet connector that can be unplugged.

This is where the little diagram for installing the light shows them being mounted.

These have come in handy a few times especially the hood light when I had a carburetor problem one night cruising South Comgress during Lonestar Roundup several years ago.

 

Here's what the instruction sheet illustration shows. I routed the wire behind the hood supports instead of using clips. Also mounted the trunk light higher because it seemed to fit better there.

 

Little switch. Ignore the ugly plastic loom one day I'll redo all that with some nicer stuff.

 

Thanks for more of the suggestions. I think I'm going to go with the stock looking reproduction and use an LED replacement. I'll make an acessible pigtail to unplug so when I have the trunk open for car shows, It won't drain the battery.

I'll use NPD for the lamp but their catalog part number doesn't seem to work right now. They have the best price.

 

This one is nice, has a nice deep stamping, could use a little dusting of the correct light turquoise finish, but also has a handy little butt connector!

1946 1947 1948 GM Chevrolet Pontiac Buick Oldsmobile Cadillac Hobbs trunk light | eBay

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And this one is pristine !

Hobbs Trunk Light Antique Car New In Box | eBay

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And there's always the reproduction.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

I use one of these lights from Harbor Freight - best work light I've ever owned. It has a strong base magnet that actually holds it in place even if you accidentally hit it. The swivel head is tight enough that once you point it in the direction you want, it will stay there. Being rechargeable is a great feature. I can't remember the last time I used an electrical plug-in light after I bought this one.

750 Lumen Rechargeable Ultra-Compact Magnetic LED Floodlight, Yellow

Amazing deals on this 750 Lumen Compact Floodlight Yellow at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

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