Reply To: Slough Headlights in France

Thanks for the info so far.

As far as I know, the problem with modern projector headlamps is that they have complicated shapes to project the beam in specific directions. The main problem is a section that deflects part of the left hand beam up to the left to illuminate road signs when on dip beam. (or shine directly into the eyes of oncoming traffic when on the other side of the road).  If you stand in front of the car and look at the left hand dip lamp you can see where it shines in your eyes and blank that section out.

Our headlights do not have anything complicated like that and, as far as I know, when dipped, just move left and down.  I have been assured that old French headlights just go straight up and down so are no problem in the UK.

I remember seeing vehicles with triangular bits of tape on the headlamps to blank out the offending parts before the modern “deflectors” arrived on the scene.  I guess that, if necessary, I can identify any offending rays and block them out.

The Lucas overseas course (in the tech library) has quite an extensive section on lighting, the different lenses and associated bulbs.  I don’t know if any of these parts are available, but maybe the US members would know what is used on their side of the pond. If one had the parts, it would not be a huge job to swap the lenses and lamps on arrival en France.

As long as one makes an effort and speaks nicely to any policemen I would expect them to look quite benignly on a TA touring France. Maybe I’m naive.