micmak Posted March 10, 2023 Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 What size are Vitesse headlights? I want to get a set of spotlights the same size. But are they regarded as 5inch, or 5¼ inch? Or are spots measured in mm? I have looked online and I see little or nothing to match 5 or 5¼. I would prefer a nice Lucas set with the covers too, but they are pricey. I have seen a few sets but it is difficult to determine their size. By The Way, anyone got a suitable set for sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted March 10, 2023 Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 They are officially called 5 3/4" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 10, 2023 Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 5 3/4 inch. I'll search for a lamp in that size over a cuppa and see what turns up. On my own cars both Herald and Vitesse bonnet versions I use Lumax lamps, very nice 6" lamps with a shiny chrome stainless backing. I do have a set of Lucas 6", no covers and with a matt black backplate, NOS still boxed and yes, pricey... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted March 10, 2023 Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 Had a pair of these on my vitesse, no holes to drill, mounted thro` the grill. Lucas FT9 `s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micmak Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 When I first saw my Vitesse, before I bought it, it has two perfectly sized Lucas spots, see attached. The car came with a perfect mounting bar too! But by the time I was ready to buy the car, the seller had removed the spots and sold them!!! I’d like to get a set like them, but the price is scaring me away. I would probably never actually wire them up. I just want them for appearance’s sake. I would actually consider a broken or incomplete set as long as the covers make them look complete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 10, 2023 Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 Buy the covers first, then source lamps in whatever condition to fit them on. Plenty of lamps on eBay but you need the covers to hide them. I have a set of original Triumph spotlamp brackets and no idea whatsoever how to fit them, my 948 Coupe had holes drilled in the valence and I just used those. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micmak Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 9 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: Buy the covers first, then source lamps in whatever condition to fit them on. Plenty of lamps on eBay but you need the covers to hide them. I have a set of original Triumph spotlamp brackets and no idea whatsoever how to fit them, my 948 Coupe had holes drilled in the valence and I just used those. Wow what a gorgeous car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 10, 2023 Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 It was a real little flyer, I was the second owner from around 2004 or so. Very original but it had no seatbelts so I eventually sold it to someone in England. Last spotted / photographed at a show in Bristol. I kept the spotlights, though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micmak Posted March 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2023 So Colin, are you selling the lucas spots, by any chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 11, 2023 Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 have you fitted a relay feed to re illumonate the glow worms getting 14.5 to the pointed end will awaken the old wiring voltage loss and a 10v feed to orig lamps then you dont need any spots pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micmak Posted March 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 12 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: have you fitted a relay feed to re illumonate the glow worms getting 14.5 to the pointed end will awaken the old wiring voltage loss and a 10v feed to orig lamps then you dont need any spots pete Pete, I am just interested in adding spots for appearance reasons. Not for functionality. In actual fact, I will probably only drive the car at night if I am out somewhere during the day, it's gets late, and I end up getting home in the dark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 11, 2023 Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 wont the weight and drag reduce the performance ha !! Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted March 11, 2023 Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 1 minute ago, Pete Lewis said: wont the weight and drag reduce the performance ha !! Pete And what about the effect on engine cooling, second electric fan will be needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted March 11, 2023 Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 4 minutes ago, Chris A said: And what about the effect on engine cooling, second electric fan will be needed Or move the spots to below the bumper Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micmak Posted March 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 Pete Lewis and Chris A: Very droll, Gentlemen. Very droll indeed! I am not too worried about performance, drag, or cooling. But I thank you for your concerns. Very thoughtful of you both to take such variables into consideration!!!🤣 Paul H, as much as I love your car (and it’s a beauty), I’d prefer the spots above the bumper especially as my car already had a mounting bar sitting there waiting for something to be attached to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted March 11, 2023 Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 If you can view my attachments, look at my uncle's 1930 Hornet special. He had to remove the badges to achieve engine cooling. Just put some badges on the bar. I know it will leave 'Evidence' if you remove it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 11, 2023 Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 and Pauls under the bumper lamps can only be legally used in FOG just to add to the plot Ha ! Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted March 11, 2023 Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 Remember the Vitesse Radiator is relatively tall and narrow so there might be room immediately to the inside of the overriders, without effecting air flow too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted March 11, 2023 Report Share Posted March 11, 2023 Yes as most Vitesse cooling problems seem to occur at low speeds I dont think spots are likely to be an issue if they can be kept to each side as much as possible. Certainly if temperatures are increased while driving no fan is going to help... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratton Jimmer Posted March 13, 2023 Report Share Posted March 13, 2023 I never had any cooling problems with my Vitesse back in 1976 which was a really hot summer. Here's a photo showing the spots as fitted. That's great aunt Florence Angelley sat in the passenger seat. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted March 13, 2023 Report Share Posted March 13, 2023 On 11/03/2023 at 18:18, Pete Lewis said: and Pauls under the bumper lamps can only be legally used in FOG just to add to the plot Ha ! Pete Just beat me to it. C&U regs, quantify the height above ground for Spots and Fogs. Once got pulled by plod for 2 huge Cibe`s on an Escort Rally car, Got his tape out and measured, said the where a fraction too low. Must have been having a very slow day. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 13, 2023 Report Share Posted March 13, 2023 early Hillman Imps had herald camber on the fronts as the headlamps ended up 1/2" below the spec this raised the front enough later the pivots got extended to correct the camber and lamp height there always a way Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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