I am very nervous about being hit from behind. Here in the U.S., there are a lot of people who drive very tall trucks and sport utility vehicles (don't ask me where the "sport" comes from). Add to this the fact that a substantial percentage of drivers are either talking on their cell phones, texting, or checking email, and it's enough to make me want to be as visible as possible when I brake.
Here is what I've come up with. Though it's still a work in progress, it is fully wired and functional. The L-bracket will be painted black, and I might run the wire through the spare wheel if I can find a weatherproof quick disconnect. The zip tie will be replaced by some kind of fixture to hold the lead, and I might try to come up with some kind of housing to make it look more slick. As it is now, access to the spare is gained by undoing the nut from the back of the lamp and removing it from the L-bracket. The bracket that attaches to the luggage rack is a pipe clamp that I found through an Internet search. I'll probably end up painting over the green plastic.
I left enough slack in the lead behind the spare tire so that I can fit a taller L-bracket for when I'm carrying luggage on the rack. Otherwise, it would probably look better if the light were below the top rung of the rack rather than above it, but I think that "higher is better" in this case.
I found the LED lamp at a marine supply store for around 12 dollars. 18 gauge wires run through the conduit to the left taillight, where they are soldered to the brake light hot lead and ground (earth). I was delighted to find that the taillight fixture incorporates little rubber seals, still supple after 40 years, to run the wires through from behind.
Of course, no holes drilled anywhere on the car and everything is easily removable without leaving a trace. All told, it cost about 35 dollars.
