Beta Spider Headlights

[simplydelboy]

Does anyone have experience of headlights advertised on EBay by various vintage suppliers? I'm looking at the halogen style "direct replacement definite fit" on a site called Vintage Warehouse 65uk. Do they fit, and are they compatible? Feedback is good but I'm always suspicious about the aftermarket stuff. Sorry don't know how to copy the page from eBay on my iPad. If only my three year old granddaughter was here! Mine's a 1977 chassis 828BS.

Many thanks
Derek Moore

[peteracs]

Hi Derek

That is a good question and one I have to bite the bullet on as well as need a couple of main beam lights.

First port of call is to identify which lights you actually have as two types were fitted to the cars (I think from memory). Not sure if the fitment of the glass part is different or not.

On the frames I have fitted to mine (Siem again from memory) they have been modified slightly to allow for fitment of different locators on the glass part itself. Not sure what these were off, would have to lookup the p/n if still on the glass part.

Hopefully someone will be along to help us both....!

Peter

[rossocorsa]

if you have siem backing plates they probably won't fit. They definitely wouldn't on later cars I'm just not 100% on pre-facelift; on later cars Siem lights are held on by circular plastic fittings which protrusions on the lamp rear push into. Carello backing plates however have the standard sealed beam style recesses (to take the three small protrusions on the rim of the lamp designed to locate it in the right orientation) and most universal 5 3/4 do fit, finding the right lens shape and light configuration might take a bit of time though.    

[simplydelboy]

Damn. More questions than answers. Mine are Carellos but I think yours may be different Peter as the eBay supplier lists a different on for the 1600!? Would that be right? That's why I'm suspicious. In the end I may have to get them and see what happens. Any further enlightenment would help though.

[peteracs]

Damn, I am going to check which I have installed.....

Peter

[mangocrazy]

My approach was to go for non-original, but outwardly similar (if not exactly identical). I remember in the 70s and 80s that Cibie Z-beam conversions were offered for many cars and motorcycles, and they certainly hugely improved the lighting on a couple of bikes I converted. Cibie have long since been absorbed by Valeo, and you can still readily obtain Valeo 5.75" units to relace the Carello or Siem originals. When I bought mine there were also bezels supplied in the box that I was able to use to do the conversion. Not sure if that would still be the case.

The payback is in the quality of lighting - way superior to OE. Not only do you have new, non-rusty light units, you also get a vastly superior beam pattern. I've got mine set up so that I can have all 4 beams on main or dipped, or just use the outer 2 units. All 4 on at once is a revelation compared to OE. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like with LED H4 bulbs installed.

<edit> Looks like you can get them from Demon Tweeks...

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/headlights/cibie-5-34-inch-e-approved-headlight-conversions

[rossocorsa]

They seem quite pricey but would agree they are probably a good choice, i have a decent set of carellos to go in my coupé should it ever get finished, it had siems in originally but I've changed to carello backing plates as they are more future proof

[Kevo]

Hi Derek
If you just want to try them, then this place looks a little cheaper. http://www.bowerspartsonline.co.uk/lighting/front-lighting/classic-front-lighting/5.75-inch-headlights

[mangocrazy]

Blimey, they are cheap. They have to be a remanufactured in China job. The only concern I would have is the beam pattern on those, as there doesn't appear to be much in the way of lens detailing to direct the light, which could be an MoT fail. But at that price they have to be worth a punt.

The link I gave to Demon Tweeks was only to show availability, as DT are always at the top end in terms of price.

[peteracs]

Hi

The Bower parts are sealed beam units which may explain  the pricing?

Peter

[Kevo]

Hi
Well it is a bit of a contradiction as this is what Bower say.

5 3/4" Classic car sealed beam inner headlight converted to take a halogen H1 bulb (not supplied see related products)
H4 wording is the similar.

[peteracs]

Hi

Aah, I see what you mean, best ask I think.

Peter

[simplydelboy]

Sorry been away, emergency baby sitting. If I get time I'll ring Bower tomorrow.

[simplydelboy]

I've spoken to Bowers and I'm going to order them and see what happens. It's not as if I use the car at night much anyway, and if they're no good I'm sure I can put them back in eBay. I'll keep you posted. More babysitting at my daughter's next week so I won't order them until the week after,

Regards
Del

[Neil-yaj396]

Definitely interested in how you get on. My lights passed the MOT again, but I'm not sure how. The reflector on the OS main is 60% rust now!

[Kevo]

Me too, my lights have been advisorys for the last 4 MOT's.
Cheers Kev.