Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Change (upgrade ?) of head lights on 1981 308

[Peter Rychel (dino308gt4]

On my first car, I installed GE 100W sealed beam aircraft landing lights in the grille as I was working night shift at the time and passed through farmland on the way home. Again, no street lights in this area, only the ones on the car... Pitch black. Yes, 100W definitely light the path in front of you!

 

I got a ticket for those lights one night. Only because I had them installed at the same level as the headlights. If I had installed them at a lower level (below the bumper, like fog lights), he would’ve let me go.

 

I saved those lights when I sold the car and I too have them in a box in the garage. I contemplated installing them in the GT4, but the current draw those puppies sucked would’ve seriously taxed the wiring.

 

Peter

 

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From: Douglas Anderson
Sent: June 29, 2020 2:33 PM
To: 'Peter Rychel'
Cc: 'The FerrariList'
Subject: Change (upgrade ?) of head lights on 1981 308

 

Peter notes “Flashlights would’ve lit the road up better. . . “

 

Likewise experience Peter – But remedied. Working with a Porsche racing shop, I fell into a pair of the latest in Lemans headlamps – Bosch H1’s.  Illegal in US.  Cool.  Snapped those puppies in and drove where ever I wanted to in Northern California woods.

 

SO – in 1974, coming back from Los Angeles at 11:00 at night on the then new straight as an arrow Hwy 5 running up the center of Kalifornia NO ONE else on the road (it ain’t like that now McGee) and I have my 100 watt H1 high beams happily blazing away. 

 

When what to my wondering eyes appears in the oncoming lane way Way WAY up there (separated from my N bound lane by about 100 feet) . . . . blink – blink – BLINK . . . ..  All I see is a blip blip blip.  He’s gotta be a couple of miles away.  We get closer and the scenario is repeated.  Hmmmmm – what’s going on?  In Kalifornia gotta dip you high beams at 1000 feet and he’s WAY further than a ¼ mile. 

 

Closer, seemingly more than a mile, and now its BLINK BLINK BLINK – oh, OK - I do have my high beams on – click to low beam.  All is well and at a closure rate about 150 mph in 20 seconds a single semi passes me in the S bound lane.  Now I am alone again.  I wonder – just how far do these HB lights project?  Flip them on and pick out a green reflective road sign way up there.  In three miles, I pass THAT sign.  Three miles??  Mulsanne here I come.  No wonder they use these.

 

OK today?  Technology surpasses a 50 year light source – so these H1’s are parked in a bankers box in the garage.  But they’re still cool.

 

Cheers

Doug

 

From: Ferrari <ferrari-bounces+dnt=dock.net [at] ferrarilist.com> On Behalf Of Peter Rychel
Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2020 8:39 PM
To: DOUG <dnt [at] dock.net>
Cc: The FerrariList <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Change (upgrade ?) of head lights on 1981 308

 

Ha ha, because I want to see where I’m going!

 

True story. A few years back when I was on our annual weekend trip up to Whistler, one of the club members always hosted a dinner for us at his cabin. So when the evening was done, we get into our cars to head back to our hotels. So it’s pitch black outside because he’s way outside of the village. Your only lights are the ones on your car. I think I was going like 15MPH because I couldn’t see ANYTHING in front of me. Flashlights would’ve lit the road up better...

 

Peter

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

 

From: Robert Garven
Sent: June 28, 2020 3:44 PM
To: Peter Rychel
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Change (upgrade ?) of head lights on 1981 308

 

Why would you want anything but the original near useless lights!  :-)

 

 

On Jun 27, 2020, at 10:15 PM, Peter Rychel <dino308gt4 [at] hotmail.com> wrote:

 

When upgrading to HID lights, read all of the reviews for the particular brand you’re about to buy. Try to stick with name brands and think twice about buying the off-shore kits as plenty have longevity issues (burning out bulb units and ballasts).

 

I noticed these are sealed beam lights you have. You can simply upgrade to H4 type composite lights that utilize a glass or plastic lens and a separate bulb that goes inside. I did this with my GT4. I got Bosch’s H4/H1 kits and they were a huge improvement. A variety of high quality bulbs gives of range of colours/intensities and years of trouble-free service.

 

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Peter

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

 

From: Michel Savard
Sent: June 27, 2020 3:40 PM
To: PeterGT4
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: [Ferrari] Change (upgrade ?) of head lights on 1981 308

 

I decided to check my head lights while being stopped behind a car (by watching the reflection on the rear bumper) and noticed the right one didn’t work. Once back home, I undid both and switched them. The right one worked when put on the left side and the left one (good one) didn’t work when put on the right side.

I really didn’t have time to check relays and fuses. That will be done tomorrow.

 

But, since both are off, I thought I just as well should upgrade them. I’ve had the car for 19 years and never had to touch the head lights. What do you think is the right headlights to choose ?

They are sealed mean GE 6014 12v 05-05-00 1 1240 -<seal beam.jpeg>see picture.

Michael Savard (1981 308 GTSi)

 

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