The different looks of 911 headlights and their rings.

[Type911]

Here's a shot of my 1970 911E w/ the sugar scoops,
first thing I did when I got the car home is install the
Chrome ring H4"s....I think it looks much better

[DB_NC_95C2]

I chose the Euro H4s with body colored rings. I also like the little 'pedestrian warning' bulb in the Euro H4s that works with parking lights like the BMW 'angel eyes' halos...

[wcc]

DB_NC_83SC,
Did you wire up those small lights? How did you hook them up? I upgraded too and my headlights have those bulbs too and I didn't hook them up yet.

Does anyone have any pics with those small lights on at night?

[wholberg]

As an accent, chrome rings look great with polished or chrome wheels on a on a light colored car. IMO they look a little out of place against dark paint.

Anything else needs painted rings.

[DB_NC_95C2]

Originally posted by wcc
DB_NC_83SC,
Did you wire up those small lights? How did you hook them up? I upgraded too and my headlights have those bulbs too and I didn't hook them up yet.

Does anyone have any pics with those small lights on at night?

I don't know squat about wiring, so my local tech did the wiring. I know I'm a geek but they're cool as ***** ! I'll try to take a photo at dusk just before total darkness with them on and post it. Since I have a black car and no high-mounted brake light, in the mornings or at dusk I drive with the parking lights on to make sure people see me.

Also, the Euro H4's with those pain-in-the-a$$ myriad metal clips didn't want to fit my car. I couldn't do it myself, that's why I went to my local expert. I had no idea what frustration I and Jimmy were in for when I ordered them, but once done, with the bulbs wired and 3M protection and painted trim rings, I'm really glad I did it. A side note, Performance Parts told me I didn't need the trim rings but I think the trim rings are a must because they cover up the aiming screws on the Euro H4s. Performance told me people just paint the surrounds, but they look far better with the painted trim rings.

[Geronimo '74]

Euro is the way to go.
Chrome or painted? Depends on the car (year, look,...)

[jhladousa]

I definitely think the Euro look is much sleeker and flows with the lines of the cars better. As for chrome/painted - my opinion:

Chrome trim - Chrome Rings. Otherwise, definitely painted rings.

[donstevens]

Originally posted by jhladousa
I definitely think the Euro look is much sleeker and flows with the lines of the cars better. As for chrome/painted - my opinion:

Chrome trim - Chrome Rings. Otherwise, definitely painted rings.

Ditto - Early cars - Chrome rings. SC and Carrera - Painted rings.

Don

[Bob's Flat-Six]

While we're on the subject.
Why did the US DOT even make Porsche change the headlights to begin with ? Were they too bright ? Or was it the light pattern ? Or ??

I wonder what the thinking was then, and has it changed ?

[kach22i]

I like the very earliest of 911 headlight treatments with the VW Beetle covers.

[jshape]

Depends on the color and the color of the trim. I prefer body color on later cars but have seen chrome that looks OK as well.

I agree that the sugar scoops look terrible and disrupt the lines of the car.

[SpeedracerIndy]

Originally posted by wcc
DB_NC_83SC,
Did you wire up those small lights? How did you hook them up? I upgraded too and my headlights have those bulbs too and I didn't hook them up yet.

Does anyone have any pics with those small lights on at night?

They are called "city lights" and they just need to be spliced into your parking light circuit. Do a search on City lights and you will find a few good posts on them. I just (re)hooked up mine about a year ago and really like the look also.

I think the chrome vs. painted trim also depends on the type of trim the car has. Although my car has black trim and I like the chrome rings on it. I think they go well with silver.

[1974carrera]

Man, there are some really nice looking cars pictured in this thread!

Kilodawg,what color is the car you posted...I like it.

DB_NC_83SC or Speedracerindy, where are the city lights located in the headlight assembly? I have euro H4s in my yellow car and H1s in my white car and I don't seem to see bulbs for the city lights in either one.

[kilodawg]

Hey Bob,

Thanks for asking! It's Kiln red, aka brick red and officially Ziegelrot. I think it was only available in '83 and '84. It takes on a different look in differnt lighting conditions from an orangy red to rose. My photos never do it justice especially on Pelican for some reason.

Having had Lime Green, Mexico Blue and two Guards Red cars I tend to prefer the brighter solid colors but everyone who sees it tends to like it.

[SpeedracerIndy]

Originally posted by 1974carrera
DB_NC_83SC or Speedracerindy, where are the city lights located in the headlight assembly? I have euro H4s in my yellow car and H1s in my white car and I don't seem to see bulbs for the city lights in either one.

There is a small 4watt bulb socket on the bottom of the housing. Here's a picture when I was hooking mine up. the socket is circled in yellow.

[Paul Franssen]

Hi all Pelincanites (haven't left my mark here for a loooong time, yes, still miss my Carrera) ...which had painted euro rings. If there is one single item I really do NOT like at all about US 911 cars, it is the US headlamps. I (almost) never see them over here in Europe and when I do...gosh...how ugly!

[hbkramer]

Re Sugar scoops.....what is the correct finish for the bottom of the scoop ?
Mine appear to be off yellow molded plastic of some sort,as if they were put on without a finish?

[Bob's Flat-Six]

Originally posted by hbkramer
Re Sugar scoops.....what is the correct finish for the bottom of the scoop ?
Mine appear to be off yellow molded plastic of some sort,as if they were put on without a finish?

The plastic surround was a light Grey color originally and not painted. If you remove them you will see on the back side how they looked. I painted mine a satin black.

[Kmatts]

ok...dumb question, but are the chrome rings steel or aluminium?

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by Bob's Flat-Six
While we're on the subject.
Why did the US DOT even make Porsche change the headlights to begin with ? Were they too bright ? Or was it the light pattern ? Or ??

I wonder what the thinking was then, and has it changed ?

Industry protectionism, pure and simple. USA D.O.T. regs of the time specified that every new car sold be sold with uncovered sealed beam headlights.