I pulled a couple of the bulbs out of their instruments and grounded the bulb holders. They illuminated brightly. I even grounded one of them through the metal tube that it inserts into on the back of the instrument, in the event that I had poorly grounded instruments - still lit up bright. But it just doesn't seem like the instruments were very well lit or easily read last night in a near-dark garage. Could it be that's "just the way they are?" Or could it be old eyes? What about upping the bulbs from 3W to like 5W? I hate to risk melting the holders. LED's?

I'll try and better simulate a true night driving environment in the garage tonight and see if I actually could drive the car.

Thanks for your continued interest.......