Headlamp covers

[Fizzer]

Hi All,
Does anyone know if it is possible to upgrade the chimaera headlamps, not in terms of performance...this seems to have been covered many times before, but in terms of adding the perspex covers to give them a more sleek appearance.
I have seen them on several post 2000 cars, mine is a '99 and I was wondering if it is possible to get them as an add-on, and if so where from and any idea of cost??

Cheers Fizzer

[theaxe]

I don't know the details, might be worth doing a search but apparently it's a nightmare and involves a lot of work.

[Cider Andy]

Someone round the other side of the world had some covers made but didn't use them. Have a look at this thread from last February.

[snorky]

TVR Powers test machine has had them retro-fitted

[bluechim]

Only point I would add is to make sure you still have access after the conversion to change the bulbs - my car is a 2002 and the perspex covers are stuck on! Hole in the inner wing then??

[theaxe]

All Chim headlight bulbs are changed from the inside.

I belive that it's quite a performance as you have to cut out the sealant, change the bulb and seal it all back up.

[Cider Andy]

bluechim said:

Only point I would add is to make sure you still have access after the conversion to change the bulbs - my car is a 2002 and the perspex covers are stuck on! Hole in the inner wing then??

Don't you have an access panel screwed inside the wheelarch?

[markh]

theaxe said:

All Chim headlight bulbs are changed from the inside.

I belive that it's quite a performance as you have to cut out the sealant, change the bulb and seal it all back up.

My first Chimaera (may 93) did not have accss panels in the wheel arch, had to remove the grill and get a nic fibre glass rash on the arm to change the bulbs

[ubernoober]

theaxe said:

All Chim headlight bulbs are changed from the inside.

I belive that it's quite a performance as you have to cut out the sealant, change the bulb and seal it all back up.

Actually, it's quite easy. Yes, there is sealant around the access hatch in the wheel arch, but slipping a stanley knife around is no trouble and the fetching the bulbs out us the same as for any other headlamp unit. Simple!

[bluechim]

My car did not have the hatch cut at the factory - you can also change the bulbs (if you arm is thin enough) via a gap underneath and at the front of the car. No chance of adjusting the lights though. I cut a hatch as per other cars and sealed it with black mastic after it failed its first MOT on headlight adjustment! Good old TVR!

[alex.tvr]

bluechim said:

after it failed its first MOT on headlight adjustment! Good old TVR!

My old 02 Chim had the same problem, luckily the MOT man was more sympathetic.

[snorky]

some cars do not have a hatch coz they've had a new front end put on following an accident !

[bluechim]

Possibly, but not in my case. I bought the car new and its never had any paint let along fibre glass/