Can anyone give me advice on what driving and or fog lights are best the the replica speedsters. All input will be appreciated.
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Can anyone give me advice on what driving and or fog lights are best the the replica speedsters. All input will be appreciated.
As in everything else in life, "It Depends".
Do you wish to keep any particular look? In other words, do you want to look "period" for the late 1950's? If so, then a pair of vintage, 50's Hellas or Bosch lamps might look just fine, although they don't throw as much light on the road as newer, Halogen or focused lights might. If you're lucky, and have a lot of extra bucks kicking around, you may even find a pair on eBay with the cast grills similar to those seen on some Speedster headlights for a matched set (extremely coveted by some, but apparently not all Speedster owners).
If you want a lot of light out there and are not particularly concerned with a period look, then a pair of Hella 500's will do the trick without appearing too big for the front of the car. They are also round, versus the Hella 550's which are rectangular and don't seem to look "right". They come with either fog (low-level dispersed light up close) or driving (eye-level beam cast out about 1/2 mile) lenses. New Hella 500's go for about $75 each just about anywhere.
Special Editions (the Beck folks) sell a reproduction of the Marshall Driving or Fog lamps of the 50's and 60's which is decent looking, gives OK light or better and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. They're seen on many Speedsters (mine included) but some say are not quite as "period looking" as the Hellas.
Guess that's about it. If you have a classic-sided Speedster, the period look means more. If you have a flared-sided Speedster, then you can get away with more radical alternatives (maybe even Lucas "Flame Throwers" or later, German, Cibie lights).
Hope this helps.....gn
Do you wish to keep any particular look? In other words, do you want to look "period" for the late 1950's? If so, then a pair of vintage, 50's Hellas or Bosch lamps might look just fine, although they don't throw as much light on the road as newer, Halogen or focused lights might. If you're lucky, and have a lot of extra bucks kicking around, you may even find a pair on eBay with the cast grills similar to those seen on some Speedster headlights for a matched set (extremely coveted by some, but apparently not all Speedster owners).
If you want a lot of light out there and are not particularly concerned with a period look, then a pair of Hella 500's will do the trick without appearing too big for the front of the car. They are also round, versus the Hella 550's which are rectangular and don't seem to look "right". They come with either fog (low-level dispersed light up close) or driving (eye-level beam cast out about 1/2 mile) lenses. New Hella 500's go for about $75 each just about anywhere.
Special Editions (the Beck folks) sell a reproduction of the Marshall Driving or Fog lamps of the 50's and 60's which is decent looking, gives OK light or better and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. They're seen on many Speedsters (mine included) but some say are not quite as "period looking" as the Hellas.
Guess that's about it. If you have a classic-sided Speedster, the period look means more. If you have a flared-sided Speedster, then you can get away with more radical alternatives (maybe even Lucas "Flame Throwers" or later, German, Cibie lights).
Hope this helps.....gn
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Thanks for the great info. The car is not flared. I am not mech. inclined so I would like to ask you if the wiring and switch comes with the lights. Again Thanks
The wiring and switch probably won't come with the lights, but, again, it depends.
Some of the cheaper driving/fog lights out there usually come with switches, but the relay may be optional. The more expensive lights often do NOT come with switches or relays, but Autozone, Advance, NAPA, Pep Boys or even WalMart usually have "Auxiliary Light Relay Kits" which have everything you need (including a fused link to protect the lights and relay). Those kits also have a wiring diagram that makes it reasonably easy to hook them up, however you may need to invest in a terminal crimper (under $10 bucks and looks/works like a pair of fancy pliers) to splice the wires together. the wires may be soldered, if you prefer, and that may work as well or better than the splice - just remember to protect the soldered splice with some shrink tube or sleeve to keep them from shorting to ground.
Should take you an afternoon to put it all together, depending on how easy the lights are mounted to the bumper.
BTW: Mike Cochrane (Exec2 in Photos, I think) mounted a pair of focused driving lights behind his horn grills. They're physically small but do a really good job of putting light "Out There" where you want it. Take a look.
https://www.speedsterowners.com/files/view.asp?sf=execk2&f=DSCF00241%2EJPg
Some of the cheaper driving/fog lights out there usually come with switches, but the relay may be optional. The more expensive lights often do NOT come with switches or relays, but Autozone, Advance, NAPA, Pep Boys or even WalMart usually have "Auxiliary Light Relay Kits" which have everything you need (including a fused link to protect the lights and relay). Those kits also have a wiring diagram that makes it reasonably easy to hook them up, however you may need to invest in a terminal crimper (under $10 bucks and looks/works like a pair of fancy pliers) to splice the wires together. the wires may be soldered, if you prefer, and that may work as well or better than the splice - just remember to protect the soldered splice with some shrink tube or sleeve to keep them from shorting to ground.
Should take you an afternoon to put it all together, depending on how easy the lights are mounted to the bumper.
BTW: Mike Cochrane (Exec2 in Photos, I think) mounted a pair of focused driving lights behind his horn grills. They're physically small but do a really good job of putting light "Out There" where you want it. Take a look.
https://www.speedsterowners.com/files/view.asp?sf=execk2&f=DSCF00241%2EJPg
I decided to copy Mike's idea; I found some square yellow fog lights at Auto Zone that completely fill the horn grill area for about $20. I used some aluminum bar stock to make homemade brackets bolted to the bumper mounting points. Only one side is in but it puts out a lot of useful light and fills the void behind the grills, making the front end look a little more finished.
I mounted a pair of projector spots behind the grilles before Carlisle. I loaded each one with a 55 watt Silverstar and boy do those babies shine!
~WB
~WB
Yeah, not to mention that Bill also has some sort of Neon thing going in his headlights, looking much like the "Ring of Light" in recent BMW's.
Tres Cool!
Tres Cool!
You mean Blackie the "Evil Speedster"?
~WB
~WB
Thanks all. I like the look of the round lights mounted to the bumper, so will do that. Am also looking for great light as we have deer everywhere around here and I like to drive on cool evenings.
Gordon, One other question. The Speedster I just bought has the srarter key on the column and I want to move it to the dash. Is there a kit for this? If so where can I get one. Thanks Again
Seems to me that John Steele told me that he had a key switch and (separate) starter button kit or something for conversions of this sort.
Try looking on his web site (JPS Motorsports)
You'll still have the key receptacle on the column to deal with, but the working stuff could be on the dash.
Alternatively, you could find an early VW steering column (no key) and install that as well.
gn
Try looking on his web site (JPS Motorsports)
You'll still have the key receptacle on the column to deal with, but the working stuff could be on the dash.
Alternatively, you could find an early VW steering column (no key) and install that as well.
gn
I got these for $50 off ebay. Bright, round, mounted to the bumper, and look awesome.
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Darren -
Where ya been?
Did they send you on a strike team to do grunt work at the Zaca fire in Santa Barbara?
Hope all is well - Be Safe!
Where ya been?
Did they send you on a strike team to do grunt work at the Zaca fire in Santa Barbara?
Hope all is well - Be Safe!
"The Speedster I just bought has the srarter key on the column and I want to move it to the dash."
You can remove the steering wheel and hub, then the blinker/horn contact assembly (four long screws) to expose the key switch.
Two cheese head screws and the little finisher piece is out, un-plug the key switch from the back and slide it out from the front.
Drill the dash and fit the switch into the hole, plug in the connector from the back and done.
I can hook you up with a housing that has the stock key switch area filled, smoothed, and painted.
Re-assemble and done! Not hard at all, just time and planning.
Oh, stock 914 driving/fog lights are pretty sweet, look period correct, and can be detailed out to be real beauties.
You can remove the steering wheel and hub, then the blinker/horn contact assembly (four long screws) to expose the key switch.
Two cheese head screws and the little finisher piece is out, un-plug the key switch from the back and slide it out from the front.
Drill the dash and fit the switch into the hole, plug in the connector from the back and done.
I can hook you up with a housing that has the stock key switch area filled, smoothed, and painted.
Re-assemble and done! Not hard at all, just time and planning.
Oh, stock 914 driving/fog lights are pretty sweet, look period correct, and can be detailed out to be real beauties.