The 'E' Type Forum

Hi all, just wondering what experiences others have had with repro headlight chromes. I have a new pair of chrome/brass units of unknown origin (ebay ) look superb, but proving a tad troublesome to fit.. its an un damaged original bonnet, unfortunately I don’t have any originals to offer up. Just wondering if I’ve bought some expensive scrap or if the ones supplied by Sng etc are any better. Cheers. Chris.

My experience was similar to yours.

I bought reproduction chrome trim from one of the usuals and there was no way on Earth that they were ever going to fit my original bonnet.

On returning them I was informed that they only fit reproduction bonnets.

Fortunately, I had a couple of sets of originals which just needed a little work and a re-chrome to get them back to original condition.

Regards

I can't say I'm surprised Chris.
I struggled mightily with mine and they were the originals, AND Robeys had fitted them when fettling the (new) bonnet. I tried longer screws, some with sharpened ends, in my increasingly desperate attempts to get the damned threads to engage. Then if they were too long they bottomed out.....grrrr.
Eventually I replaced the original glasses with Mark Clapp's (thinner) perspex jobs, and it was better, so you might try that. But it took Angus and his boys to get them looking right. They still leak in the rain BTW...
Oh - do make sure you have the softer rubbers from COH Haines, which I believe all the usuals now sell.

I'm doing this at the moment. It's just a totally bastard job.

FWIW I just bought 2 new trim rings from SNG. Still waiting on delivery to see how fit is but in conversation with the sales rep I was told that they now manufacture their own pieces that are modelled on an original bonnet. I was told that so far the feedback has been that the fit is good but as expected there is still some variation between bonnets. Unfortunately I will not be in a position to judge as my bonnet has had previous repairs on both sides and I will be fitting the bonnet to the trim. I would love to hear if anyone has purchased the new sng part and how the fit is.

+1 for Mark Clapp's perspex headlight covers. They are deliberately made oversized so you can trim them to size. I had to buy a new crown ring and the flexibility of the perspex was a godsend.
A trick I learned was to push nails through all the screws holes in order to locate the crown ring before inserting any screws.
However the final assembly, no matter how good, will leak into the sugar scoops. The main cuplrit on my car is the seam above the headlamp bowls.

Cheers

Alan

Thanks gents, all points noted. I’ve since realised that I have an oem right hand chrome, and it fits beautifully...needs new chrome but so does everything else.
If anyone out there has an oem left side I’d be interested
Many thanks. Chris.

Hi Chris...post in the Wanted section...Steve

Will do Steve. Thanks.

ollieoscarsid wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 11, 2019 2:52 pm

Thanks gents, all points noted. I’ve since realised that I have an oem right hand chrome, and it fits beautifully...needs new chrome but so does everything else.
If anyone out there has an oem left side I’d be interested
Many thanks. Chris.

I have an odd trim but not sure whether its left or right side. Won't be at the workshop before Sunday. Will have a look then.

Regards

Morning Stuart, great. Will wait to hear. Thank you. Chris.

I’m sure others have observed this obvious irony: Jaguar created the most beautiful, artistic, eye-catching and absolutely perfect chrome headlight rings to surround and emphasize the weakest headlights since brass-era gas lamps. To me, this seems to be an even more appropriate subject for the famous comment once made by a Ford employee in regards to puttinging the first Mustang body on running gear from the Ford Falcon: “It’s like putting falsies on Grandma.”

(Uh, feel free to reject or delete)

Bill

The headlights are actually quite good, when you do the relay upgrade and fit halogen bulbs.

Perhaps a good reason to buy a series 1.5!

How fast do you guys drive in the dark???
I have a S1 with standard lights and they seem to be just fine at under 70 mph!!

alfazagato wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 20, 2019 7:29 pm

Perhaps a good reason to buy a series 1.5!

There is never a good reason to buy a S1.5 . . I'm sticking with my Series 1.
I would wait for the ones Sng are making in brass. Their Techy Pete Stant tells me that they have tested early batches on an original bonnet, on their own 50EE and also a new factory bonnet with good results.

ollieoscarsid wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 16, 2019 8:32 am

Morning Stuart, great. Will wait to hear. Thank you. Chris.

Hey, Chris. Sorry for the delay but I've been re-fitting my garage for the last few months and everything got "tidied away".

I have found my spare headlight chrome and it is a left hand side one. Original item.

It has a light dent on the upper part which should be dressable. Depending on your intentions it would probably polish up to an acceptable standard, although you may prefer to re-chrome it.

I'll try to get some decent pictures at the weekend if you're interested.

Regards

Cheers Stu, have sent you a PM. chris.

PM not yet received.

A couple of photographs below:-