Ford’s new Mustang is one of the most successful modern recreations of a motoring icon, recapturing the original’s magic and combining it with the luxury and safety expected by 21^st Century motoring enthusiasts.

It’s therefore hardly surprising that the new Mustang has aroused as much interest in Europe as in its homeland, even though it’s not officially imported to this continent by Ford.

Lighting is the major obstacle to making a Mustang legal for use in Europe

As a modern car, getting a new Mustang approved for use on the road in the UK or elsewhere in Europe isn’t that difficult – the major obstacle is the car’s lighting.  Not only are lighting standards in the USA different (and sometimes inferior) to those of the EU, some functions either perform differently (indicators that flash red instead of amber) or are not present at all (rear foglight).

Of course, it is possible to get around these problems by cutting into the car’s wiring harness, reassigning functions in the existing taillights, and hanging auxiliary reversing- and rear foglights underneath the rear bumper.  Quite frankly, however well the work is done, it doesn’t look attractive, and definitely detracts from the car’s styling.

Also, fitting an amber bulb into the reversing light aperture on the original lights, and rewiring it as an indicator, is borderline as far as light output is concerned - because of the small size of the bulbholder & aperture, the maximum wattage bulb that will physically fit is 10 Watt, whereas the European spec for indicators is 21 Watt.

Replacement US-type bulbs can be hard to find

Another problem with retaining the existing lights in modified form is that US cars use different bulbs to those common in Europe, for both headlight- and taillight functions.  If a bulb blows, you’re unlikely to find one at your nearest motor factor or accessory shop.  Locating one could be difficult, and when you do find what you need, rest assured it’s going to cost a lot more than a standard bulb as well.

US-spec headlights don’t light up the road as well as European ones

While the existing Mustang headlights can be retained (they do need a parking/position light to be added for EU use), the flat beam provided by US-spec headlights is not up the standard of European headlights. Aside from anything else, there is no cutoff to throw light up the nearside of the road.  That may not be important with the wide roads in the USA, but for narrow European country roads, it’s pretty much a necessity if you want advance warning of pedestrians, kerbs or obstacles on the side of the road.

A complete replacement lighting package that is 100 percent legal for European use, manufactured to original equipment quality standards with full e-approval

At ABCDesign, we’ve been fans of the new Mustang since it first appeared, and as lighting is our speciality, we decided it would be a good idea to offer a lighting package for the car that would make it as simple as possible to convert it for legal use anywhere in Europe.

We offer a package of headlights, side repeaters and taillights that fully conform with European e-mark requirements, and incorporate all the required functions to obtain the necessary approvals.

Headlights that not only work well, but offer a styling upgrade too

The headlights use the European standard H4 bulbs, and incorporate a defined cutoff as per European regulations (both left- and right-hand drive versions are available). They incorporate a subtle halo ring surround, which not only functions as the parking/sidelight, but also enhances the appearance of the car when lit.

Easy-fit side repeaters

Side repeaters are available in either oval- or arrowhead design, and are supplied complete with wiring harnesses, bulbs and bulbholders.  They are easy to fit, requiring only a single small round hole to be drilled in the wing.

Stylish taillights with European bulbs, amber indicators & integrated foglights

The taillights incorporate a clear centre section housing the indicator- and reversing light functions. The inner section of the taillight incorporates a rear foglight on both sides, making the units suitable for left- or right-hand drive.  The outer section houses the stop- and taillight functions. Standard European bulbs are used, which means that replacements are easy and cheap to obtain if needed.

As far as is possible, the lights have been designed to be “plug and play”, and they incorporate connectors which plug into the Mustang’s existing wiring harnesses to keep the need for additional wiring to a minimum.

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