Replacement Headlamps for my Zagato.

[Betazag]

Well, Bridget is in the shop getting a full makeover...all of the rust cut out(hopefully if that is possible)and several coats of paint. I want to put on some new headlamps (US DOTapproved of course)that are better than the original and was wondering if anyone might have some recommendations? Are any available like the BMW ones with the center reflector? Thanks, MR

[SIMid]

What about the Delta Evo headlight?

But my guess is the Beemer will be cheaper to buy from a wrecker.

I was looking at a mates Beemer yesterday and thinking about it too ...... :-\

[Rocking-M]

I was planning to do the beemer to beta conversion on the lights but it seems like it
may be to much modification. Let me know what y'all come up with.

[SubGothius]

For US DOT street-legal upgrades to our 5.75" round quads, the BMW late "E30" 3-series units with the ellipsoid low beams are pretty much the way to go. For some reason, nobody (reputable at least) seems to be making superior, US DOT street-legal, replaceable-bulb upgrades for 5.75" round quads. One could get Euro-spec Hella 5.75" quads (http://www.rallylights.com/hella/5.75_lo.asp) which could perform quite well but are not strictly legal, and which lack the US light dispersion pattern that throws some light upward to illuminate our unlit highway signage at night (so you'd see the highway just great but couldn't read any signs 'til you're right at'em!)

[jp]

I am also assuming you would have to use a relay and re-wire to handle the juice??

JP

[Gregory Smith]

Actually Hella also makes DOT approved headlights, called HellaVisions, available through Bavarian Autosport among other places. I can't vouch for their beam pattern though, since I use the off-road version just fine. folks I know with BMWs don't recommend their lights, and say that the reason they're even available on Ebay is because BMW owners hate the lights and swap to Hella or Bosch H4s.

Relayed low-beams (the highs are already relayed) are recommended, since the switch is so delicate. My parks are also on a relay, for good measure.

[Rocking-M]

Hey I have a beemer and I recommend the BMW ellipsoid.
Most americans can't drive in traffic without something like highs on.
Damn folks are always blinding me and never have their lights aimed.
Thus, most americans would think the BMW elipsoid low doesn't put out a good pattern.
Cause its on the road, except for the z part that lights the signs.
On highs they really put some light out.

[SubGothius]

Hm, I had found that the Hella Vision Plus (US DOT-legal, replaceable bulb, quality optics) was only available as a 7" hi-lo combo beam replacement, but not as a quad 5.75" replacement; E-code H1 and H4 5.75"s are sometimes listed alongside the 7" Vision Plus, but close reading reveals the 5.75"s are not street-legal.

However, this reminds me of another upgrade I had thought of -- getting the 7" Vision Pluses, then adapting them somehow to the inboard 5.75" buckets and filling the outboard buckets with better 5.75" additional hi-beams or even driving lights, thus producing a Lancia-signature "fanalone" rally-car look. ;) However, I wonder if 7" combos, even the Vision Plus, might not be a worthwhile improvement over premium 5.75" sealed-beam quads, nevermind how to adapt 7" units to 5.75" buckets (a ring adapter kit sure would be nice... 8)