Re: Re: [alfa] 5 3/4" sealed headlamps

[George Graves <gmgraves@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I replaced my sealed-beam units with a set of flat lens Hellas. One 
takes an H3 and the other an H4. The first set of bulbed lenses I 
ordered were Marchalls made in India (!) but for some reason, they 
wouldn't fit. They seemed well made and looked good, but were actually 
a scoche too big for the Alfa rings, although they were supposed to be 
to DIN specs. I think my Hellas look marvelous but I agree with this 
poster that the flat lenses do impart a vaguely Espada-like look. I 
don't think they are bright enough however and am therefore 
contemplating replacing the bulbs with a gas discharge set. The only 
thing that has kept me from doing this already is that the system 
requires some re-wiring for the gas-discharge lamps' power supplies - 
and, of course, the cost - they aren't cheap. :-)

George Graves
'86 GTV-6 3.0 'S'


On Saturday, September 27, 2003, at 12:47 PM, alfa-digest wrote:


> Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2003 14:42:00 +0930
> From: Paul Bayly <thebaylys@domain.elided>
> Subject: Re: [alfa] 5 3/4" sealed headlamps
>
> Ben, AFAIK all Aussie round-headlight Alfettas have Carrello lights 
> which
> take H3 bulbs.  My experience is with coupes but I recall a mate's '82
> Alfetta
> Sportiva had the same lights as my GT(V)s.
>
> The standard lenses have the locating pins formed into the glass at the
> rear, making
> replacement costly as OEM lights are all that fit.
>
> Now some possible good news:
>  I had an ex rally GT which had what I believe was a US
> grille assembly with the lense holders-adjuster separate from the 
> glass.
> Any proprietary 5-3/4" lense would fit and you have a wide choice of
> sealed-beam or H4 bulb types, as well as flat or dome fronted glass.  
> The
> flat-fronted lights on my car changed the look somewhat, vaguely Lambo
> Espada.
>
> I'd go with sealed beams as the reflectors last longer, they are
> water/vapour sealed, and the cost differences aren't that great.  I've
> always suffered limited bulb life in my Alfettas, but the Hella 
> equipped GT
> never suffered a failure in the 4 years I owned it.  Another thing, the
> outer lights on my car had both high and low beam whereas they are 
> normally
> low beam only.  The inner pair were effectively spotlights.
>
> A review of the wiring and addition of relays will greatly enhance the
> effectiveness of your headlights.
>
>
> Beatle
> Katherine NT
> Oz
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