Question:

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee) 09/18/2018 at 12:34 • Filed to: Hypotheticals

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If one were to own an older imported car that had ugly U.S. spec headlights, would it be legal to install and run the correct ones?

ranwhenparked > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/18/2018 at 12:42

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Yes, those regulations only applied when the car was new production. For aftermarket mods, you just have to comply with your state laws (which are usually just having two working headlights). 

E90M3 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/18/2018 at 12:43

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I mean, I see cars here without tail lights and no bumpers, pretty sure it’d be alright. Plus, how many people are going to notice anyways? 

fintail > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/18/2018 at 12:48

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Definitely legal, or effectively so . People did Euro light conversions even back in the day, I think it was an unenforced law in 99% of the land. Old magazines often have ads for Euro lighting.

Funny thing on 123s, Euro cars could be equipped with lighting that resembled (but differs from) US spec units:

Funnier thing - period tuners would sometimes retrofit cars with US spec lights to be different. Lorinser did this a bit, I believe:

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fintail 09/18/2018 at 12:55

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Makes me wonder if the double- bubble headlight motif Mercedes stuck with for so long was a direct result of their early attempts at US spec lights.

FSI > fintail 09/18/2018 at 13:03

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US spec lights and side markers are/ were   popular mods here in Europe.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/18/2018 at 13:06

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I kinda prefer the US spec in this case...

fintail > FSI 09/18/2018 at 13:11

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Yeah, I have noticed it more in recent years, especially on 107s and 126s.

Too bad the bumpers aren’t the same way on some cars.

fintail > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/18/2018 at 13:12

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I think there’s definitely a 123 lineage there. It was also a new generation styling move, and it really worked for awhile, I was kind of sad to see it go - but there was only so much to be don e.

Klaus Schmoll > fintail 09/18/2018 at 13:29

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In Europe it was a way to differentiate the lower 4cyl cars from the 6cyl vehicles. After a facelift or MOPF (short for Modellpflege) in Mercedes speak, they all got the square “Euro-style” lights.

diplodicus > fintail 09/18/2018 at 14:02

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I recently discovered that in the 80s doing square headlight conversions on E30s was a thing.

dogisbadob > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/18/2018 at 14:27

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It seems almost unenforceable. They usually just care that both lights are working.

Also, some states, as well as Canada, do specifically permit European headlights. I know Washington and Massachusetts allow them, and possibly other states, too.

ranwhenparked > fintail 09/18/2018 at 14:53

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A bit like how Rover Group chose to use the US-spec urethane bumper MGB as inspiration for the MGRV8 and MGF in the '90s. I guess it's natural to want what you cant have, like Australians converting their Holdens to look like Pontiacs. 

fintail > diplodicus 09/18/2018 at 15:14

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I suppose with enough white powdery substance, anything looks good.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/18/2018 at 15:51

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Yep, my local Merc dealer offered me a set of euro lights they have in stock. I like my round ones! 

fintail > ranwhenparked 09/18/2018 at 16:07

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rubber baby bugg y bumpers

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/18/2018 at 16:42

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I think nowadays as long as lights are E-code or D.O.T. marked they are legal, so you should be OK?

bhtooefr > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 09/18/2018 at 17:02

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In the US, E-code still isn’t legal.

Only place I’ve heard of people having trouble with E-codes is Virginia, though.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > bhtooefr 09/18/2018 at 17:19

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Huh, really? Pretty sure either is accepted here in Canada.

bhtooefr > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 09/18/2018 at 17:26

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Canada also accepts both FMVSS and UNECE safety standards in general, AFAIK (but emissions have to follow the US EPA structure, hence the Micra getting the same powertrain as a base US Versa, but being a model not sold in the US).

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/18/2018 at 20:10

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My Jaguar has the US spec 5” sealed beams , but the original design was meant for 7”. People sell kits to fit the correct 7” which look a little better.