Why amber side markers?

So out of curiosity, does anyone know why Porsche has insisted on amber side markers in the US for so long? Are amber reflectors at the corners a DOT requirement, or perhaps a requirement in a large Porsche sales state like California? Just curious as I of course had to make the same change to clears on my 2003 Boxster S, and some six years later found myself having to buy clears for my CS.

DOT in the US requires amber turn signals.....i believe. Someone correct me if im wrong

The clears are amber when they blink, so they s/b 100% legal. It's prob. just a way for Porsche to generate more parts revenue.

It is a DOT requirement. They need to be amber reflectors, not just lights. I guess DOT wants your car to be seen from the side even when the lights are not on.

Reflector requirements I think that Porsche installs amber side marker assemblies to help satisfy the Federal requirement for reflectors (FMVSS No. 108). The following quote is from the NHTSA legal interpretations database , dated 4/7/2000: The amber side markers (987 631 037 / 987 631 038) contain an amber reflex reflector. The clear ones (987 631 033 / 987 631 034) don't. Interesting fact... So, anyone know which state(s) have laws requiring amber side reflex reflectors? I'll start; NC doesn't.

I would flip it around and say "Why the fascination with clear side markers"? It was no different when I frequented the 964 forums. I personally have never found anything particularly ugly about amber side markers, and was never motivated to change them on the 911 or the Croc. And don't get me started on Red Tail Lights! Too many other things I would love to do to the car that are way higher on the someday modification list (LSD anyone???). Brian

people do these type of things to be a little different--back in the 70's i changed my usa 914 front and back lens to the european versions--thought it looked cool back then--now i don't care--i do like the all red tail lights but i would not spend money on them--my cs msrp was $75k

Ironically, when American cars first had amber front turn signals ('63 model year), Ford started with amber bulbs, but went to clear bulbs and amber lenses for the mid-year "63 1/2" models. Eventually, amber bulbs with clear lenses became the accepted standard. For the 1978 model year, Cadillac put amber lenses on its recently-downsized DeVilles and Fleetwoods, to give the cars "greater road presence." They later followed suit on the Eldorado. Meanwhile, some American automakers wanted a more "European" look, and went with amber rear turn signal lenses. Suddenly, clear lenses became the rage (the Lexus RX 350 has albino-looking rear lights), and any hint of amber is out. Now, Porsche charges more for all-red rear lenses. A little too fadish, if you ask me! 987f

Why bother to change? Will changing, make our Caymans go faster?

Gimme amber... Always been easier for me to see amber/yellow (turn indicators and side markers) than red or clear. And I've always associated amber turn signals with more modern vehicles. Probably just me, but American and Japanese cars that still use red directionals are a major turn-OFF. Can you tell if the yahoo joker in front of you is signaling a turn, or just has a brake light out and is tapping his/her foot??

It's kind of funny....Corvette guys like to swap their red taillights for Euro styled ones w/ amber turn signals. A handful of Porsche guys are going the other direction to full red, and Japanese modders like anything clear. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence when it comes to lens colors!

I changed to clear for aesthetic reasons. I like the way the clear on the side ties in nicely with the clear element on the rear light cluster.

In New York the side marker lamps, parking lamps, and additional flashing turning lamps mounted on the side of the vehicle are not inspected.

+1 on that, I just think the car looks better with clear side marker if you have a dark car, the stock amber side marker will stand out too much with a dark colored car. It's only a $30 mod and can be done in less than 10 minutes, which also helps since cost is not a setback.

My CS is Speed Yellow as was my Boxster S. The amber and the yellow just seem to clash to me, with the clear a much nicer look. It doesn't seem to make quite as much a difference with other body colors, and IMHO the ambers actually look better than the clears on silver as clear on silver goes invisible.

I also noticed the side markers don't blink with the turn signal. why is that?