Front Headlights

[rob1962]

I read recently that the headlights on the spider are the same as the British mini, can anybody confirm this to be correct. Many thanks Rob

[courtenay]

Not sure what part of the headlight assembly you're referring to. The bulb itself is a standard 7" and is available pretty much anywhere.

[rob1962]

Can replacement bulbs be purchased separately from the headlamps

[donm]

All Spiders came with what are called sealed beam headlights, i.e., the filament is an intregal part of the headlight and is not replaceable. You can upgrade to halogen headlights which are brighter and do include replaceble bulbs and are available from vendors like IAP, or better yet, you can get e-code headlights as were used in European markets from Danial Stern Lighting. They're brighter and throw a much more usable beam pattern.

[azruss]

the stock 7" hi/lo are sealed beams and have no bulbs. There are many aftermarket lamps with modern bulbs that put out much more light. be aware that most of the aftermarket headlights have plastic lenses. this is good in they dont crack with a rock chip but they will fade like modern headlights.

[rob1962]

Many thanks for your comments guys

[bradartigue]

You can get Bosch or Hella lamps with replaceable bulbs that have a far better pattern and are much brighter than sealed bulbs. I'm not sure if the cars were designed for sealed beams or not, in the USA the kind of lamps used on these cars weren't permitted. So we ended up with the fairly pedestrian sealed lamps you have on there today.

I use Bosch H4 lamps:

http://www.busdepot.com/0301600118

Both on the FIAT and as replacements for the Alfa, Porsche, and others. They are bright, reliable, and look good. The link above is a guy who sells the European version, which says either "FOR OFFROAD USE ONLY" or "FOR MOTORCYLES ONLY" ... but otherwise are a pretty normal headlamp and exceed the pitiful sealed beams we've been using.

[SoFlaFiat]

Brad,
Does the hella e-code have a glass lens?
Thanks!

[bradartigue]

Brad,
Does the hella e-code have a glass lens?
Thanks!

Yep, I just went outside and tapped the ones on the car I have here. Nice, heavy, Bosch quality. I can email you pictures of them if you like.

[vandor]

>All Spiders came with what are called sealed beam headlights

Only US models! Models made for markets had replaceable bulbs in the headlights.

[SoFlaFiat]

Brad,
The picture on the bus depot link definitely looks domed, so just double checking, are they? My project came with very good H4 lights and relays except that they have a flat lens which in my opinion leaves the light bucket looking empty. For lack of a better description...

[sweet124]

This may help.The end off the light distance to the ruler is around 5/8" estimate.

[img][/img]

[burgandy81]

Just went through a lighting upgrade with relays, new driving lights and some old school concave Cibie lights. All in all I am happy with what I have although I have yet to do any serious night time driving.

A couple of notes from my research.

1. The Bosch 7" lights marked motorcycle are specifically designed for bikes, they tend to work OK for VW Bus crowd as the Bus light is unusually high off of the road. It is my understanding that these lights are not ideal for passenger cars. Please review formal sources to ensure these lights will work for your application.

2. Spider lights are defiantly convex (domed outward). I know this because my Cibies are convex and I panicked a little when I opened them!

3. Lights have a very peculiar efficiency function. A relatively small drop in voltage equates to a large reduction in usable light output. If improved driving lighting is one of our requirements, I would strongly consider one of the relay kits supplied by our vender community.

Cheers,

Jordan

[SoFlaFiat]

Yep, that helps! Thanks!

[rja]

I read recently that the headlights on the spider are the same as the British mini, can anybody confirm this to be correct. Many thanks Rob

I presently own a classic mini. and a spider, too. the headlights are both 7". my mini has replaceable h-4 bulbs, and what's referred to as 'city light' bulbs, mounted a little lower in the back of the same glass housing. it's really just a park light. that kinda dimly illuminates the whole headlight. and a separate turn signal bulb and lens, mounted on the body below that. hope that adds to the confusion!