Morning all.

 

SWMBO needs a "new" vehicle, but she's not very tall and can't see the front extremities of most modern cars because the bonnets slope away very steeply - and that makes her very nervous about driving such vehicles (and is one of the reasons that she won't drive the Octy).

 

Over the years, I have seen pictures of small "masts" which can be attached to the ends of the bumpers, and stick up far enough to be seen from the driver's seat - but unfortunately I can't remember what they are/might have been called, and so can't track down any current sources of these items.

 

Therefore, does anyone know the "correct" name(s) for these masts, and/or especially anywhere that I could buy them from (in the UK preferably, but elsewhere if necessary)?

 

Thanks in advance.

I remember that in the days of bumper bars, there were such devices held on by a U shaped bracket with a small grub screw .

I’d be looking to glue something to the flush bumper facia now.  (in Australia you’d only need a LHS one)

Have you thought of those plastic flag masts as seen on footy fans windows up and down this wonderful land?  Might be able to rig the mast up around the headlight or front grille/bonnet etc. Perhaps a pair. Remove the actual flag and you will see the front of the vehicle. Otherwise, rig up an aerial mast in a similar way. Perhaps a little brake of some way shape or form, that can easily be returned to standard. I have seen diplomat magnetic ones but the cost outweighs the benefit, unless you do a proper search. They just pop on, pop off. Also seen diplomatic flags that attach to say, the Mercedes bonnet star hole. Just for reference. 

@jeallen01 - Anything like that I've seen is normally called a "width indicator".

I think these are what you are after but this won't help since they are out of stock

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sticks-Markers-Trailer-Driveway-Snowplow/dp/B006VUMO3O

 

They seem to be associated with big American pickups

 

https://www.amazon.com/Bores-Guide-733511-Stainless-Bumper/dp/B001O082SW

 

"Bores Guides" seems to be the US term. For Lorries as well. Or Fender Guides.

Edited 16 July, 20187 yr by Aspman

Thanks to all those who responded so far:

 

Ryeman & mfgf : those ideas sound feasible and I'll take a look at what I could rig up.

 

Ken: did a search for that term on ebay, but all I got were various forms of indicator lights & bulbs - maybe its a Scottish thing :)

Just had another thought... On eBay, they sell small sharks fin type aerials. Also a very neat, delta plane looking black version, that are self adhesive. Stick one on the front of each wing, might do the job. Get them colour coded for a "Factory" Look or leave them black to be more visible from the bonnet. They are quite small so might look decent but if too small for the better half, a taller sharks fin each side. Measure up. line them up and position them well, paint them and they will look reasonable whilst helping enormously.

 

Less likely to end up on the dual carriageway then the flag option, too!

Edited 16 July, 20187 yr by mrgf

?

What does she need in a new vehicle, can she not get one that she will see clearly the front of, Kia Soul, Jeep Renegade etc? 

 Will a Up!MiiCitigo not do,

or just any car with Front Rear Proximity Sensors?

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/Uq3v3JxwRQG8Pb3RlBtAqA

Popular with 'the ladies' or laddies, or those not good at spacial awareness,

the Suzuki Jimny. ( Bull / Roo Bars optional but maybe not legal.)

 

New model coming soon for those that are not good at judging where the front of other more modern design cars are.

Is seat adjusted to max ?

Just buy her a Mercedes or a Rolls - Bonnet ornament should do the job!

Think what you're looking for is called a bumper pole or parking pole.  Some JDM Honda's and Subaru's have them.

 

Gaz

What about a vehicle with front parking sensors? On the Octy II you just push the Front Parking Sensor button on the centre console whenever she feels 'nervous'. I activate mine when stationary at traffic lights, or T-junctions as it shows just how wide some drivers take corners, and also how close some people like get to the vehicle in front; Credit Card Close on some occasions. 

 

MB S Class from late 80's - early 90's had automatic 'prongs' that would pop up from the rear of the vehicle to help judge the vehicles extremities. 

 

Not sure sticking 'flag poles' on bonnet would pass an mot. I've heard of modern Jaguar owners failing Mot's as they had fitted the Leaping Jaguar on their bonnets. 

Thanks for the suggestions for a new vehicle . Unfortunately she is very clear what she wants - a 4-door VW Golf GTI (& not TDI &/or DSG) and preferably in Red and later than 2005 (preferably 2007-9), and, in the price range that we can afford (up to around £7k max)  that means a Mk V, which has a very sloping front!

 

So:

- Suzuki Jimney - so not a Golf GTI, and certainly not fast enough!

- Up/Citigo - so ditto and too small (and only 2 doors)!

- Merc/Roller - so ditto and too big (and no room to park it in front of the house)!

 

@V6TDI

Thanks for the bumper pole or parking pole suggestions and so I will investigate those PDQ!

Edited 16 July, 20187 yr by jeallen01

Update: "Bumper pole" on ebay.com came up "trumps" - see here , even though the stuff would have to come from Taiwan (only ones on ebay.co.uk came up as Merc-specific and cost £160+ each plus P&P!)

 

Many thanks for the suggestion, and will almost certainly buy a pair as soon as we decide on the actual vehicle (out looking this afternoon)

 

PS: Most of those shown have self-adhesive pads for attachment, but mean that they could easily fall off or be knicked - so I think I'll have to figure out some sort of nut & bolt arrangement, even though that probably means I'll have to remove the bumper to fit them!

 

Edited 16 July, 20187 yr by jeallen01

Sounds like what she needs is more driving tuition.

2 hours ago, Fin69 said:

What about a vehicle with front parking sensors? On the Octy II you just push the Front Parking Sensor button on the centre console whenever she feels 'nervous'. I activate mine when stationary at traffic lights, or T-junctions as it shows just how wide some drivers take corners, and also how close some people like get to the vehicle in front; Credit Card Close on some occasions. 

 

MB S Class from late 80's - early 90's had automatic 'prongs' that would pop up from the rear of the vehicle to help judge the vehicles extremities. 

 

Not sure sticking 'flag poles' on bonnet would pass an mot. I've heard of modern Jaguar owners failing Mot's as they had fitted the Leaping Jaguar on their bonnets. 

 

I was thinking that about maybe not being MOT friendly, but suppose you can take them off for around MOT time, even just getting these stick on parking sensors might do and hardwire into the wiring loom.

 

Davy

One of these front and back. No problem parking

 

2 hours ago, Offski said:

Sounds like what she needs is more driving tuition.

  Daren't even mention that to her

 

 

1 hour ago, Aspman said:

One of these front and back. No problem parking

 

A "good idea" but rather too "cosmetically challenging" I think!

 

Been to see a couple of Mk V GTIs this afternoon, and the seat height and view issues are certainly there (she is only just over 5ft tall!) - but we may have solutions to at least partially solve some of them. However, I still think it'll need either bumper posts and/or front parking sensors as well.

Actually i dislike the Golf seating position which is why i had a Mk2 Fabia (you could wear a top hat in them, or jack the seat up and know where the corners are.)

& if getting a car now like that i would go for a Polo rather than a Golf.

Edited 16 July, 20187 yr by Offski

45 minutes ago, Offski said:

Actually i dislike the Golf seating position which is why i had a Mk2 Fabia (you could wear a top hat in them, or jack the seat up and know where the corners are.)

& if getting a car now like that i would go for a Polo rather than a Golf.

I did actually suggest a Polo (although I too would prefer a Fabia!) a long time ago - but, NO, it seems that it has to be a Golf (and the GTI version at that!)

Edited 16 July, 20187 yr by jeallen01

4 hours ago, jeallen01 said:

I did actually suggest a Polo (although I too would prefer a Fabia!) a long time ago - but, NO, it seems that it has to be a Golf (and the GTI version at that!)

PS: I also "suggested" that a couple of GTI badges on a "nice" "other version" of the Golf might be an "idea" - but "No" because it has to be a genuine GTI