Results 1 to 6 of 6
-
05 December 2011 #1
- Join Date
- 14 Mar 2011
- Location
- Stockwell, London
- Posts
- 8
- Saab(s)
- T16s 900, 1985
Difference between pre- and post-87 headlights
Hi all - I'm hunting for replacement headlights for my '85 T16s, and while I can see plenty of references to a change in headlight design, I'm having trouble finding a good before-and-after, so I can pick through the assorted distorted, badly angled and lit pictures on eBay and figure out which is which... Any pointers? Thanks, James
-
06 December 2011 #2
Sam Carlson Tutorial Bot
- Join Date
- 14 Aug 2010
- Location
- Medford, MA
- Posts
- 684
- Saab(s)
- '90 900 LPT with a flat-nose conversion
I went through a big web-search for some pre-'87 headlights in the UK a while back. Was looking for some to get shipped over here.
Anyway, I found next-to-nothing. I would recommend not buying used ones, because they are so rare you probably won't find any. As for new ones, nobody makes them anymore! I would recommend taking your lights apart and getting the lenses polished and reflectors re-silvered. There ought to be some place that can do that for you, and I can tell you it'll be cheaper even than buying used ones!Last edited by euromobile900; 08 December 2011 at 07:34.
Ask me a question about your c900! I promise I either can answer it or know someone who can
-
06 December 2011 #3
Paul A Saab Nut
- Join Date
- 11 Mar 2011
- Location
- West London and Wiltshire, UK
- Posts
- 251
- Saab(s)
- T16 '93 Ruby - T16 '94 Vert Ruby
You can't polish them and replate. They are plastic. It is possible to get them re-vacuum deposited as I did here and these are the guys I used; Contact VMC Limited. Vacuum Metalising & Spray Painting Specialists. Or contact Steve Lewis. He does replacements. Headlight Reflector Replacement - SAAB SPARES 01582 499777 It's cheaper if you just take the reflectors apart and either get these done or replace them.
-
06 December 2011 #4
- Join Date
- 14 Mar 2011
- Location
- Stockwell, London
- Posts
- 8
- Saab(s)
- T16s 900, 1985
They look very like pressed metal to me: definitely not the same as the ones Steve is selling. Having had a better look in daylight, these are just square reflectors with rounded corners, not the complex shape that all the reflectors on eBay have (except for the ones that are also losing their coating...).
-
06 December 2011 #5
Paul A Saab Nut
- Join Date
- 11 Mar 2011
- Location
- West London and Wiltshire, UK
- Posts
- 251
- Saab(s)
- T16 '93 Ruby - T16 '94 Vert Ruby
Ahh, you may be right James. Earlier ones were indeed metal. If so you may be able to improve them by some very gentle application of silver polish. Otherwise get them replated as suggested. Plenty of people do it. This is one service. http://www.ashfordchroming.com/headl...ng-restoration
Last edited by peva; 06 December 2011 at 13:32.
-
06 December 2011 #6
Sam Carlson Tutorial Bot
- Join Date
- 14 Aug 2010
- Location
- Medford, MA
- Posts
- 684
- Saab(s)
- '90 900 LPT with a flat-nose conversion
Yep, pressed metal are the old style. I have a pair sitting around my shop. You have to take the Graves Shield (combined with bulb mount) out of the center of the reflector itself, and remove some adjusting hardware, but after you do that, they'll be ready for plating. Every time I've tried to polish a set, they just get worse. My recommended course of action is not to touch them until you're ready to go to the platers.
Ask me a question about your c900! I promise I either can answer it or know someone who can
Similar Threads
-
Leveling Xenon Headlights
By carlosr in forum Saab 9-5 (1998-2009)Replies: 12Last Post: 23 February 2019, 19:27 -
US headlights
By Jacco in forum Saab 99, 90 (1967-1987)Replies: 8Last Post: 29 February 2012, 15:04 -
Headlights not working *Help!*
By bbeweel in forum Saab 9-5 (1998-2009)Replies: 4Last Post: 29 August 2011, 15:05 -
How to rid sticky residue off headlights ?
By SaabKen in forum Tech TalkReplies: 8Last Post: 24 April 2011, 18:32 -
tires do make a difference in fuel economy: my own experience
By Dave T in forum Tech TalkReplies: 5Last Post: 13 December 2010, 07:22