Technical Blog:

What are the best headlights?   Keep them all original, substitute  halogen bulbs, replace them with later model units, or...?

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From: Ian Gunney;  ; When my 912 arrived in the UK from the US it still had the Hella sealed beam units in place.  Given that we drive on the 'wrong side' I had to find replacements.  Having decided that I didn't want the later H4 assemblies from the early 70's 911's, I spent two years trying to find the correct Bosch Assymetric Assemblies.  I finally managed to obtain a pair of 356 lenses and made up the backings from 60's Bosch units (from a Mercedes I think).
However, these look fantastic in place but in terms of light intensity, they are pretty useless!  Given the age of the wiring in the car I have ressited the temptation of putting highre wattage bulbs in, but then again I don't tend to drive it in the dark....

From: Chris Smith;  ; Hi Rick, I think us '76ers probably don't have as many problems associated with grounds, wire degradation, and power requirements as the '60's cars just because of age and difference in alter./gen. but a halogen sealed beem upgrade worked for me. I've actually had pretty good luck with the off-the-shelf Sylvania "Extra" Halogen sealed beems. They have a little better pattern, a little more power, and last longer than the stock sealed beem halogens. I'm sure a full on late model upgrade with relay would be better but I have no complaints about my lights now and it's a much less expensive alternative. I'm using a red Optima and I have good grounds, BTW. Cheers, Chris Smith, '76 912E

From: John F Lacey;  ; I still have both the original bulbs in #593 Targa.  "Takes a licking and....," I guess.  I must admit they are absolutely atrocious in terms of candlepower, as we all likely know, but abject loyalty to originality somehow exceeds need to see well at night, during which I drive maybe 3 or 4 times a year.  In my old ' 66 Coupe, I replaced the originals with Marchal H4's at a cost which approximated my annual salary at the time -- they lit up the road almost as well as most major league baseball stadiums.  Out of youthful naivete', I of course failed annual State inspection and had to change them back temporarily.  The inspecting Trooper's remark at the time was most memorable: "People in front of you do not need a suntan on the back of their necks while driving at night, sir."  Best regards, John L.

From: Bernard Laverton;  ; I bought brand new replacement units with (standard halogen bulbs), costing about 150 dollars each.   I believe thet are made in Chechia.

From: Ron Anthony;  ; Hi Rick, I sure like the H-4 set up, easy to change bulbs, lots of selection and good looking, too. Ron Anthony in MD.

From: bsr;   I  have regular headlight in my 912e. is halogen better?  great web site keep up the great work. brian

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