Chimaera Headlights

[RCA]

Afternoon all, after a 17 year absence i'm back in a Chimaera :-)

Having some paintwork done which will involve removing the headlight cowls so thinking of replacing the units whilst in there.
Does anyone know a suitable replacement or up to date part number for them? Or will any generic 7" headlight go in?

Cheers Rich

[900T-R]

Only with the Mk3 headlight cowls and pods. The original headlights are 180 mm rather than 7" so installing them would require new headlight surrounds.

[magpies]

search for chimpongas regarding LEDs too

[e42]

...and I believe that VW Lupo lights have been used to good effect

[bobfather]

If you're refurbishing the original units and need new reflectors you can use VW Type 2 reflectors. they are a fraction of the TVR price but need a little simple fettling. Be very careful of the silvered surface, it isn't paint, it's electro statically applied metallic dust that will wipe off with the slightest touch, fingers turn it dull grey. Just don't touch it

[Dave85chim]

I went down the Lupo light light conversion for my rebuild. I had the cowls fibre glassed in - which I think givens quite a modern and fresh look to the car.

[MuffDaddy]

Based on the faired in lupo lights I may have spent most of last night looking at alternate Singer style lights. I love that faired in lupo look.

Is there a half way house. A modification to the standard cowl to take a 7" headlight but without the plexiglass?

[bobfather]

MuffDaddy said:

Is there a half way house. A modification to the standard cowl to take a 7" headlight but without the plexiglass?

I've been looking at this idea without much success, I planned to get an acrylic or hard polycarbonate lens protector to sit at the cowl inner edge thereby allowing a standard lensed 7" lamp to sit vertically behind it. There are plenty of 7" motorcycle lens protectors but the current 8" with a 7" reflector. This is the profile and size of the original lens

[Riff Raff]

A question about Mk III lights. How do I get the headlights out? Through the front by taking off the fairings, or from the back?

I'd have a look at the back of the lights, but the inspection panels in the wheelarches are well stuck in with a topcoat of what looks like underseal slathered all over, so I'd rather not disturb that unless I have to.

[Andav469]

Riff Raff said:

A question about Mk III lights. How do I get the headlights out? Through the front by taking off the fairings, or from the back?

I'd have a look at the back of the lights, but the inspection panels in the wheelarches are well stuck in with a topcoat of what looks like underseal slathered all over, so I'd rather not disturb that unless I have to.

The lights are removed from the rear, through the inspection cover in the wheel arch.

Not hard to undo and then re-seal

[Riff Raff]

Andav469 said:

The lights are removed from the rear, through the inspection cover in the wheel arch.

Not hard to undo and then re-seal

Thanks for that I’ll get the scrapers out at the weekend.

[phazed]

Dave85chim said:

I went down the Lupo light light conversion for my rebuild. I had the cowls fibre glassed in - which I think givens quite a modern and fresh look to the car.

That looks really good!

[Classic Chim]

phazed said:

That looks really good!

I’ve only just noticed the swept back position of the lenses. That’s the best conversion from the original I’ve seen I think..

Fantastic colour chosen on that car too.