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Daytime lighting options for classic cars
Classic car enthusiasts are increasingly aware that with
the growth of bright Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) on
modern cars which have become much larger, not least from the
growth in new SUVs and 4x4s, the relative visibility of
a classic car like an MGBGTV8 is becoming a real concern.
Here we
review three options for daytime driving: using dipped headlights
and fitting DRLs either within the headlamps or as separate
lighting units.
See our full article on daytime lighting options for an MGV8:
V8NOTE571
Typical bright DRLs on modern cars look like "startled
eyebrows"
Concerns with relative visibility of classic cars
See our comprehensive information webpage for useful articles
and information on the relative visibiity issues. More
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Concerns over growth of DRLs and "relative visibility"
of classic cars on the road
Classic car enthusiasts are increasingly aware that with the
growth of bright Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) on modern
cars which have become much larger, not least from the growth
in new SUVs and 4x4s, so the relative visibility of a car like
an MGBGTV8 is becoming a real concern. Mike Howlett has an MGBGTV8
Conversion which he uses frequently throughout the year and
he commented on a V8BB thread that "having just driven
400 miles on the M4, M5, M6 and M74 today I can assure you that
having DRLs on the front of the car is very valuable in dark
gloomy weather even on a dual carriageway. If you want to pull
out and overtake you need to be able to see vehicles coming
up behind. The current trend for dark grey paintwork on modern
cars makes them pretty invisible when you steal a quick glance
in the mirrors. I use my headlights whenever I think it makes
the car more visible, and on today's drive they were on pretty
much all the time". The question for many MGV8 enthusiasts
thinking of a DRL upgrade is what are the daytime lighting
options? Here we review three options for daytime driving:
using dipped headlights and fitting DRLs either within the headlamps
or as separate lighting units.
What are
the aims?
With any project it is always worth spending time clarifying
what are the aims and intended outcomes. Clearly there has been
a major change over recent years with Daytime Running Lights
fitted to new cars produced by all leading manufacturers and
they seem to be getting brighter. In some cases the functional
aspect is overtaken by the styling features with some of the
recent DRLs looking like startled eyebrows with a slightly threatening
appearance - the "out of my way" suggestion! For classic
car owners there is an additional factor and that is that modern
cars are much larger today than they were in 1973 when the MGBGTV8
was launched, so driving it today you do feel an MGV8 is very
much smaller. This contributes to the sense of reduced relative
visibility on public roads. So the aim is improving daytime
relative visibility of an MGV8 on public roads in the UK retrofitting
some form of DRL option.
What are the daytime lighting options for an MGV8?
The three options available are:
1. Dipped headlights
Clearly the simplest option, possibly with the use of upgraded
halogen bulbs providing brighter daytime lighting. The additional
benefit is that with dipped headlights for daytime use you also
have rear lighting so if road conditions deteriorate, from road
spray or mist, you will be visible to other road users behind
you. See our note on upgrading MGBGTV8 headlamps with replacement
H4 Halogen headlamp units. V8NOTE572
2. DRLs fitted in the headlamp
This option for retrofitting DRLs involves using a replacement
headlamp kit, comprising a lens and reflector which has provision
for a front sidelight bulb, where a DRL bulb can be used as
a replacement. There will be a need for a device (relay) that
automatically switches off the DRLs when the headlights are
turned on manually for driving at night or in poor daytime driving
conditions. For rubber bumpered MGBGTV8s, this DRL arrangement
will need modifications to provide front side lighting, probably
using dipped headlights when the sidelight switch is used.
As DRLs provide no rear lighting, in poor daytime driving conditions
when it is prudent to have rear lights on, the driver has to
remember to turn on the dipped headlights to have rear lighting.
There are concerns that some drivers are unaware that whilst
DRLs provide good frontal daytime lighting they can be unaware
there is no rear daytime lighting with DRLs.
See V8NOTE573
3. DRLs as separate items, typically concealed in the grille
or below the chrome bumper
This option involves retrofitting a pair of DRL units available
from Halfords or other autoparts suppliers. The typical location
is in the front grille area but with rubber bumper MGBGTV8s
alternative locations will be necessary. V8NOTE483
See
our full article on daytime lighting options for an MGV8: V8NOTE571 |
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