Practically Classics Forum

TerryG wrote:I fitted halogens to my mog in the late 90s so they have flatter lenses. .

Yeah, our Mog has them fitted too, and likewise they are the flatter lens and detract from the car's looks IMO. However, they work brilliantly, at night I'm sure they're as good as any of the moderns that I drive.

I might get another "domed" kit for the Mog if the ones for the Midget work out OK, we'll see. On the other hand, maybe I just can't be ar*ed.... it's not that important eh?

Here's my "off the wall" idea on this, which might be more appropriate for a Minor than the H4 lens patterns, even if they are suitably convex. Too old for a period Midget option though, technically:
Buy a pair of the Lucas lamp units - with BPF bulb fittings - that predated the ubiquitous and now extinct sealed beams, the type that slightly earlier Minors would in fact have been fitted with from the factory (my turquoise 948cc, 1958 2 door saloon, WPO414 had them). These lamps have a lens which looks exactly the same as that found on the sealed beams and there are Halogen bulbs available to fit in place of the hard to find original ones.

A quick shifty at Holden's site shows headlamps with Halogen envelopes fitted to older BPF-style fittings (scroll down for the 12 Volt ones) and they're not even prohibitively expensive, unlike some of their stuff. To save anyone the bother of searching VWP and AES for the same thing for even less cash, they don't list these at the moment.

Best of both worlds.

I did an upgrade many years ago - from BPF to sealed beams on my old Hornet and the lights were a lot better!! I must be getting old: I haven't done anything to the last two Golfs' lights.

You can't have too many sidelights.



P45.

Ah the illuminated car badge, how long before they make a comeback?

The radar scanner cover in the front grille of my 2013 Glof is illuminated at night by a row of gentle LEDs around its edges. It doesn't have a Wolseley badge, sadly.

That illuminated Wolseley badge was a genius idea for its day, I mean in marketing terms, it was a much loved feature and gave all their cars a touch of class, don't you think?

I remember my Dad's 18/85 when I was a kid, and touching the badge after a night journey and feeling how warm it was from the bulb.

Popped up in every Ealing cops and robbers chase sequence as well - the badge in the mirror with the Winkworth clattering away.

P45.

The halogen conversion kit arrived today, and I've had a (sort of) pleasant surprise, the box actually contained four lamps, not two. When I looked at the e-bay shop advert it said £25 for the lamp, I assumed that this was for one, so I ordered two. However, this price was obviously for two lamps, so now I have two spare, if anyone wants them? Pretty good value I reckon, and they look like the business - I'll fit them as soon as I get a moment and try and post up a picture or two.

So if anyone wants a pair of lamps for £20 or so, let me know, I'd ideally want them to be collected...

Cheers!

My accountant did that !!! Good with numbers ,ha !! He bought 10 new headlights for his tractor !! His wife pissed herself laughing when the big box arrived , but he was adamant he ordered them deliberately !! When she wasn't about he asked me if i knew anyone else with a Massey 123456 or whatever it was that might want some headlights