VX 220 headlights, switchable dip?

[SprintGT]

Hi guys,

I fancy a cheap early VX to use as a daily driver, but LHD Speedsters are overpriced. RHD doesn't bother me but headlights could be a problem, so the question is...

Does anyone know if the dipped-beam on VX220 headlights are switchable for continental use? I know you can do that on an Elise Mk.2, little lever behind the unit, but I have no idea for the VX.

If not, anyone got any good suppliers for LHD headlamp units? They're 1000€ ex-VAT each over here in France!!!

Cheers
SprintGT

[tangerine_sedge]

I don't think they are. There are no levers, or ways of altering the beam direction easily. The headlight unit is held in place by a single bolt, and you can adjust it's direction by fiddling with this, but it doesn't adjust it by very much... try asking on vx220.org.uk?

[SprintGT]

Shame, but that might explain why they're aren't many VXs in France, at 2 grand plus VAT for a pair of headlamps you might as well shell out a little bit more and buy a LHD Opel Speedster. Plenty of RHD Elises though, Mk.1 headlamps are cheap enough and the Mk.2s are switchable. I've got an Exige and an Elise 111S anyway, but I don't like using them daily, fancied the slightly more comfortable and torquey VX220 N/A for that.

Cheap LHD lamp units anyone?

Cheers
SprintGT

[tangerine_sedge]

SprintGT said:

Shame, but that might explain why they're aren't many VXs in France, at 2 grand plus VAT for a pair of headlamps you might as well shell out a little bit more and buy a LHD Opel Speedster. Plenty of RHD Elises though, Mk.1 headlamps are cheap enough and the Mk.2s are switchable. I've got an Exige and an Elise 111S anyway, but I don't like using them daily, fancied the slightly more comfortable and torquey VX220 N/A for that.

Cheap LHD lamp units anyone?

Cheers
SprintGT

On the other hand - the headlights are useless anyway, so perhaps a little bit of black tape might do the job?

[Decky_Q]

I know its an old thread but thought that this might help anyone searching for the same info in future.

There is no lever but if you remove the headlamp you can access a blanking plate in the projector light unit that creates the beam pattern and simply swap them around. Takes maybe 30mins and only a 13mm spanner to do.

[SprintGT]

Thanks Decky, that is very good news, 13mm spanners I've got, 2k€ for a pair of headlights I don't !

In the meantime I've bought a silly French car with a tin-top (Renault Sport Clio) for everyday use whilst there's snow on the ground, its the sort of thing that passes for sensible everyday transport here at SprintGT HQ. It was -7°C here in the sunny south of France this morning, so a roof, decent heater and Goodyear M+S tyres are welcome, but looks like the VX idea could well be back on for the spring.

But for now, I can see snow on the Pyreneen cols from the office window, so I think its time to test the abilities of those Goodyears...

Cheers
Sprint GT

[crossy67]

Is this a deffo? Going to see a LHD one tomorrow with a view to spunking a grand on a headlight to convert.

[myles1972]

Get signed on to www.vx220.org.uk asap, you'll get the answer there no doubt.

[crossy67]

Thanks Myles. You might have just saved me a grand. Good man.

[myles1972]

Good stuff, hope you get the good news!