Re: Carello headlight conversion

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Mike:

Aren't the real problems just missing parts?  i.e. your '88 doesn't have 
those (3 per side) rearward-facing studs to mount the headlight buckets to 
inside the fenders.  The fenders also don't have the slots for the tabs on 
the rear of the headlight covers.  Finally, the access panels inside the 
wheel wells just aren't there.  That's not to say it can't be done, and 
I've seen it a few times on post-'82 Spiders, but it's certainly more work 
on those later cars.

I think my '87 Spider would look great with headlight covers, but I learned 
my lesson from having them on my '74.  As you alluded to, rusted studs 
(when there) can be a real problem, and I had to use nylon nuts (which were 
a fine solution).  Replacing a headlight bulb in an H4 light is a big pain 
in the ass, so use only brand-new Euro-made bulbs, and stay away from the 
Asian-made crap that is so popular.  Aiming can also be problematic, as 
access to the adjusting screws is tight.  Lastly, I've had a major problem 
with the covers warping.  I'm in S. Florida, and heat from the sun is just 
too much for that weird, soft plastic the covers are made from.  They tend 
to shrink along the long axis and also flatten along the short axis.

The "trick" solution is to find a set of those ultra-rare early Duetto 
headlight trim rings that allow  the covers to be mounted with the 
headlight buckets still front-mounted.  You might also mount the covers by 
just leaving the original trim rings off, but that's not quite as 
attractive a look.  Choose wisely.

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's


At 10:35 PM 5/6/2003, you wrote:

> Date: Tue, 6 May 2003 21:33:54 -0400
> From: "MikeyB" <MikeyB@domain.elided>
> Subject: Carello headlight conversion
>
> Hi All,
>
>      I'm thinking of doing a carello conversion on my '88 Spider Quad, but
> am wondering how involved it is.
>
>     I know that I'll need to remove the headlamps and re-install them from
> behind.  Just how ugly a job is this?  The car is in very good shape with no
> obvious rust, but I'm somewhat reluctant.  Have any of you done this?  How big
> a project was it?
>
>     Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> MikeB.
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