60 Plymouth
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| posted on 10/7/12 at 11:25 AM |
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Lexan headlight fairings for non-locost
Hi Guys,
Bit of an odd one this but tell me what you think. This is not for a Locost but some of the best minds on amateur car construction are here so I
thought I’d give it a go. For your information, the car would not be a BIVA build, but a re-body of a pre-73 chassis.
I’m interested to know if there would be issues with having headlights behind homemade polycarbonate fairings (clear of course, since the light has to
shine through it). The lights themselves would be typical free standing sealed beam/halogen sealed beam replacement units, 5 ¾ or 7 ¼ diameter (yes,
free standing headlights behind a clear cover – it’s different!)
My concerns are:
1. Legality – Does the polycarbonate fairing constitute as part of the headlight and therefore have to be E-marked? Are there rules stating that
nothing like a cover or fairing can be put in front of the headlight? Is it different for a re-bodied pre 73 car?
2. Function- I don't think the clear lexan/polycarbonate will reduce the light intensity, but I presume that it would have a detrimental effect
on the beam pattern, causing refraction etc. I also think it may be possible to adjust the fairing and headlights to minimize this but would like to
hear what you guys have to say.
Like I said, it’s a bit different so any advice would be great. This, like a lot of a skint-man’s projects, remains firmly on paper for the time being
but would be nice to know if it worked.
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chillis
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| posted on 10/7/12 at 11:49 AM |
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"the car would not be a BIVA build, but a re-body of a pre-73 chassis" "Is it different for a re-bodied pre 73 car?"
Unless you're using the chassis unmodified an with the original running gear then you will still need an bIVA.
There is no difference due to age of the donor vehicle. That is largely irrelevant unless you want an age related plate. Don't think you get to
keep tax execmpt either unless the conditions stated above are met.
SFAIK: if the headlight is emarked and the clear cover doesn't affect the beam pattern then I don't see anything that should cause it to
fail.
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HowardB
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| posted on 10/7/12 at 12:05 PM |
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My Fury has clear headlight covers, they are not e marked, and offer challenges for MOT or the like,...
hth
Howard
Fisher Fury was 2000 Zetec - now a 1600 (it Lives again  and goes zoom)
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60 Plymouth
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| posted on 10/7/12 at 05:12 PM |
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Thanks guys,
Chassis is unmodified and it should all fall withing the 7 points rule (I'm swapping out engine and gearbox which allows me to retain enough
points). I believe it retains the original registration and hence tax exemption. When I mentioned the age I was wondering if that has an impact on
wether headlights even need to be E-marked or not.
Howard - do you say they do or they don't offer challenges for the MOT?
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HowardB
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| posted on 10/7/12 at 05:43 PM |
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sorry, tiny keys and big fingers. They cause NO problems at MOT.
Howard
Fisher Fury was 2000 Zetec - now a 1600 (it Lives again and goes zoom)
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iank
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| posted on 10/7/12 at 06:05 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 60 Plymouth
Thanks guys,
Chassis is unmodified and it should all fall withing the 7 points rule (I'm swapping out engine and gearbox which allows me to retain enough
points). I believe it retains the original registration and hence tax exemption. When I mentioned the age I was wondering if that has an impact on
wether headlights even need to be E-marked or not.
Howard - do you say they do or they don't offer challenges for the MOT?
You'll be fine unless you modify the chassis. The opinion on how much change is allowed has been tightened up over the last few years (lots of
bob-tail range rovers fell foul of this I understand) so be cautious.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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60 Plymouth
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| posted on 13/7/12 at 05:36 PM |
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The chassis will be staying absolutely bone stock. I believe you are allowed to strengthen them (The ACE have a letter somewhere saying that things
like boxing plates are allowed) but that's it. I don't plan on strengthening it anyway.
It's making sure the thing is legal after rebody with things like the headlights that my concern is.
Howard - glad to hear it! Looks like a goer then.
Cheers guys, much appreciated.
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