Author Topic: yellow headlight lens  (Read 2643 times)

jharkin

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yellow headlight lens
« on: August 24, 2023, 18:17:27 »
for some reason I'm beguiled by yellow lenses. I've been looking at some on ebay. both Bosch, one set has same pattern as the flat clear ones on my car. the other set, also Bosch, is described as being made for the French market. these have a distinctly different pattern in the glass. Any idea why the French lens pattern is different from the other?
68 250SL White over Blue manual
84 280CE Lapis Blue auto
67 250SL Silver Gray auto,  sold :(
63 230SL Metallic Blue manual,  sold

rwmastel

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2023, 18:32:36 »
The pattern is easier to see in the one picture, but they look the same to me.  No?  Has the same "wedge" in the middle on the right.  Other lines/patterns look the same.  What is different to you?
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL auto "Italian"

jharkin

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2023, 18:53:50 »
yes now I see it. I wasn't looking "deep" enough. the lighting and the background in the FR picture obscures part of the pattern.
thanks. glad I asked and appreciate the reply.
68 250SL White over Blue manual
84 280CE Lapis Blue auto
67 250SL Silver Gray auto,  sold :(
63 230SL Metallic Blue manual,  sold

jharkin

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2023, 19:22:50 »
would this be too much? not my car, mine is blue over white, but this is what it could be ... I'm not sure. opinions welcome.
68 250SL White over Blue manual
84 280CE Lapis Blue auto
67 250SL Silver Gray auto,  sold :(
63 230SL Metallic Blue manual,  sold

zak

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2023, 19:39:34 »
Too much for me personally with the large yellow/orange lenses.
My pagoda is a French market car that came with the original euro headlights.
The lenses are clear glass but they have yellow bulbs fitted. I kept it that way.
My 2 cents ....
1967 250 SL
1983 280 SL
2015 ML 250 Bluetec
2007 ML CDI
2004 E 320 Wagon
1999 E300 Turbodiesel

jharkin

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2023, 19:59:40 »
so they look clear during the day, but yellow at night? that's cool. I'd like that. yellow bulbs be cheaper too.
yellow lenses are 470/pair on ebay, but of course that incudes shipping,  ;D
68 250SL White over Blue manual
84 280CE Lapis Blue auto
67 250SL Silver Gray auto,  sold :(
63 230SL Metallic Blue manual,  sold

rwmastel

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2023, 00:06:04 »
Well, to each their own when it comes to style.  I agree that yellow bulbs would be better, but I wouldn't even do that unless it was actually a French car and originality was important.

Zak, How are yellow bulbs at lighting up the road at night?
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL auto "Italian"

lreppond

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #7 on: August 25, 2023, 00:56:31 »
I think the old style French lamps are way cool. When I went to France in 1964, I remember my dad telling my older brother that the yellow lights were safer because they had less glare and they worked better in fog too.  Whether or not that was correct I have no idea. France now conforms to EU rules and except for old timers, cars have standard headlamps.  Kind of a pity in my opinion to see that tradition homogenized like everything else. 
~Len

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lreppond

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2023, 02:42:43 »
Btw, that car you’ve picture is a real mix.  German car, French headlights, Italian side lights! 
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

ejboyd5

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2023, 11:10:46 »
Have you ever driven a car with yellow headlights for any distance at night? Be careful when you are "beguiled" by appearance absent experience.

jharkin

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2023, 22:01:15 »
That's what happens when you make a car your own I guess. don't remember where I found that pic.
68 250SL White over Blue manual
84 280CE Lapis Blue auto
67 250SL Silver Gray auto,  sold :(
63 230SL Metallic Blue manual,  sold

zak

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #11 on: August 29, 2023, 21:14:41 »
Rodd, the yellow bulbs I have are 55W and do a decent job lighting the road at night.
But I am sure the new type halogen bulbs really outshine the factory originals by far.
But truth be told, I do not no much night driving in my pagoda.

jz
1967 250 SL
1983 280 SL
2015 ML 250 Bluetec
2007 ML CDI
2004 E 320 Wagon
1999 E300 Turbodiesel

lowpad

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Re: yellow headlight lens
« Reply #12 on: September 12, 2023, 01:27:03 »
I have a French export SL and have been intrigued by the yellow headlight lenses, even if they weren't ever fitted from new. For now, however, like Zak, I've installed the 55W yellow bulbs and they're fine at night. I wouldn't mind something a bit brighter, but they're perfectly fine for night driving.
1966 230SL (6/66 build)
French export
4-speed manual
158 Exterior / 040 Hardtop
2001 SLK230
1996 Porsche 993
1991 Acura NSX