[DML] Re: Euro-style headlights

[Ann & Ed Thompson <RappaRivaRat@xxxx>]

U.S. automakers have been using the replacement bulb "Euro-style" 
headlight system for years. The DOT requirement for the old style
"sealed beam" was changed years ago. I don't know when exactly but
my 1994 Chrysler has the "Euro-style" and so did the 1993. I don't
know about before 1993, but I'm gonna guess around 1990. The "sealed
beam lobby" finally succumbed to the "designer lobby". The flap was 
all about the automobile designers being limited to the round, square,
or rectangular sealed beam only, which in turned stifled the designers
creativity. There was also an "aerodynamic" concern with the flat
faced sealed beams. Look around. Nearly all the newer cars on the 
road have their own distinctive "designer" (and VERY expensive) 
headlight assemblies.

But that has now created a new problem. Typically if the lens breaks
on the "Euro-style" you are looking at having to replace the entire
"designer" headlight assembly at a cost of up to hundreds of dollars. 
I know because a car backed into my Chrysler and broke the headlight 
lens. The lens is an integral part of the headlight assembly which
retails near $300 and was a real BEAR to change out. By the way, the
light bulb still worked just fine. I now have a spare bulb. The old 
sealed beam units can usually be easily replaced and typically for 
less than 10 bucks. But they don't look as pretty and aren't "slick"
enough.

Ed Thompson (#6419 since 1982)


> Mike03062@xxxx wrote:
> 
> In the US I assume the "Sealed Beam" Lobby is hard at work.
> 
> Mike in NH
>