General Headlamp needed

[crazypierre]

Hi, would anyone happen to have a front headlamp that's legal for UK roads for a 1970 Fiat 500? I need the one with the side light inside the headlamp unit. The glass is cracked on mines so I just need the glass unit not the chrome ring. If anyone has one they'd be willing to sell, please PM me. Thanks, PC

 

[the hobbler]

Mark Jayes at "Motobambino" in Carnforth sells complete RHD headlamps (with side-lamps in unit)---these are new units and cost about £34 each (inc VAT)

 

[Toshi 975]

I have a single original new old stock CARELLO RHD headlamp which I would sell but I would be looking for a much better offer than the ones Tom has indicated.

 

[crazypierre]

Hi, thanks. These Motobambino new ones seem like good value compared to what I've see online. Before I buy new, let's see if anyone has a used one they no longer need.
Cheers
PC

 

[Bigvtwin996]

Hi, thanks. These Motobambino new ones seem like good value compared to what I've see online. Before I buy new, let's see if anyone has a used one they no longer need.
Cheers
PC

As has been mentioned before.. there are serious quality concerns about the lens quality of repros.....
Used ones are few and far between.. even if the reflectors are well beyond their best it is easy to transplant a lens into a better reflector....

The first N's did not have prismatic lenses...the beam was angled using the mountings...
I suspect the first lenses were from a Lambretta or Vespa as they are the same size and non prismatic... (and more easily obtainable)

 

[F123C]

Hi PC,

It might be no harm to post a request for a headlamp with good glass but condition of reflector unimportant over in the 'Classifieds Section' under Parts Wanted (model specific) - someone who watches these ads might have a suitable one that they'd like to see go to a good home.

Al.

 

[Toshi 975]

The first N's did not have prismatic lenses...the beam was angled using the mountings...
I suspect the first lenses were from a Lambretta or Vespa as they are the same size and non prismatic... (and more easily obtainable)

Good point that I had never heard before and that makes complete sense as I guess that main and dip on a scooter would be just vertical.
I think that I have what BVT refers to as non prismatic lenses up in my loft that I have rescued from rotted out 500 headlamps over the years.
Meanwhile this is the CARELLO RHD lense.

 

[Bigvtwin996]

a non directional 500 headlamp....
(giving the game away now.....)

 

[Alfadeke21]

Try this search on eBay.... seller: vintagewarehouse65uk is offering 7" H4 RH lamps with pilot for £13.18.

Don't know the link but the item title is: 7" FLAT LENS CLASSIC CAR SEALED BEAM HEADLAMP HEADLIGHT HALOGEN H4 CONVERSION.

Interested??

 

[Bigvtwin996]

Try this search on eBay.... seller: vintagewarehouse65uk is offering 7" H4 RH lamps with pilot for £13.18.

Don't know the link but the item title is: 7" FLAT LENS CLASSIC CAR SEALED BEAM HEADLAMP HEADLIGHT HALOGEN H4 CONVERSION.

Interested??

unfortunately 500 headlights (Eurospec) are 130mm about 5"
but anything is possible..

 

[Alfadeke21]

Goops, sorry!
I should have known the correct size.

However they do sell the 5 3/4" sizes also so I wasn't too wrong!

 

[Toshi 975]

Goops, sorry!
I should have known the correct size.

However they do sell the 5 3/4" sizes also so I wasn't too wrong!

Right there my friend
With a lot of straining and a bit of cutting I have managed to fit one of the smaller size sealed beams (as fitted to a Triumph Stag , Vitesse) . They have a "window" in the internal reflective surface to accommodate a side light so I solved this by super glueing a short piece of rubber hose on the outer surface which was a good fit for the standard side lamp holder.

 

[Bigvtwin996]

lots of alternatives

 

[Pete145]

As has been mentioned before.. there are serious quality concerns about the lens quality of repros.....

I managed to buy some UK reproduction headlights for my car after it failed an MoT for still having the European headlights (looking at its history my car was imported in the late 90's and this had never been picked up at multiple MoTs before).

The car needed a few other things doing to it at the time, so I took it to a well known Fiat/Abarth specialist, left the new lights on the seat and asked them to fit them prior to completing the MoT re-test.

Long story short, they said the quality of the new headlights was so poor that they refused to fit them. To get through the MoT they applied triangular tape to the lens of the existing units. That was four years ago, and the tape is still going strong!

 

[Bigvtwin996]

.........
Long story short, they said the quality of the new headlights was so poor that they refused to fit them..........

It's a good job they don't apply the same rules to panel fit.....

until I was able to find some Early lights....
I did consider teh Stag/Vitesse (also some Alfa) lights....
but the scooter route could be an interesting alternative....
light and reflector for £20
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lambretta-scootopia-li-headlight-glass-and-reflector-innocenti-cev-marked/153581013891?hash=item23c2244b83:g:f5QAAOSwasZdOsGC

lenses £5
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APPROX-1...999484?hash=item3f8481337c:g:rtUAAOSwyNNZkqHt


If some enterprising person who perhaps comes up with other modifications could devise and easy fit mounting to fit inside the 500 front panel...
that would be a cheap alternative.... (I would only ask a small royalty for the knowledge)

you could even fit those chrome stone guards for that Rally look...

 

[AndrewHarvey]

I've got some fancy main lamps with completely clear lenses & blue "crystal" centres covering the lamp - that then obviously light up blue when lights are on.
LED kit fitted and no problems with oncoming traffic because it's so low.....:-0
I have both chrome mesh grills or even more funky are the yellow " overlenses" favoured by Mini rally cars...attached by elastic fabric bands..
My car is a Frankenstein 500 but I love it...
Oh - and it has flames out of the exhaust...