Ok, while I do the research on what components I need to swap a 1275cc engine and 4-speed gearbox into my Mini MkIII, I've decided to have some fun and do a cosmetic change to the car. Name, a set of four spotlamps in front of the grill to give it a more aggressive, masculine look.

Is there anything I have to keep in mind when searching for a set of lights, and is there any particular brand that comes highly recommended? Thanks!

- Angel Face

 

You may need to upgrade your alternator to have enuf juice for all those lites... Also check local laws as having more than 4 lites (shining forward) on is outside the law in this state (don't know how that varies from state to state) You can have them mounted, just can't run with everything on at the same time.

Bigger diam' seems to be the more classic look ....

 

Like these.......



I got mine at www.7ent.com http://www.7ent.com/detail.cfm?pageid=2105

Don't forget the brackets, and they come with covers if you are in a state that wants them covered....

Nik

 

You can have as many lights as you wish,,,just 4 can be on at once, per fed law....

 

The Cali law is alittle more specific. Four "clear" lights total, allowed on vehicle, if you have more they must be covered, they count bulbs, so a high and low beam in one enclosure counts as two . Following this logic any clear fog lights are illegal . Which makes me wonder how the new cars are selling off the lots here.

A Highway patrolman told me this when he was looking over my wifes classic, but said he didn't feel like writing me a ticket at that time.

I have never verified this, just waiting to see if I ever get a ticket.

Nik

 

THAT'S HOW how the sportsPack original rover lights came wired. You can only have four on at one time.

two can be turned on with low beams on and the other two with high beams.

 

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24405.htm

CA Vehicle code say 4 lights can be turned on.

 

Ah, the officer never told me that, just couldn't have more than 4 .

All is good

Nik

 

Ahhh, but I still am not completely clear so let me ask: The code states that:

a) Not more than four lamps of the following types showing to the front of a vehicle may be lighted at any one time:
b) ...each pair of a dual headlamp system shall be considered as one lamp.

So...

parking / driving lights = 1 pair
Headlamps = 1 pair
Set one of 7" spotlamps / fog lights = 1 pair
Set two of 7" spotlamps / fog lights = 1 pair

Am I right or wrong on that translation?

 

any combination of 4 is legal which does not count parking lights.

 

For those of you who mount two driving lamps and two fog lamps, how do you arrange the lamps? Do you put the fog lamps on the outside? Or on the inside?

 

The important thing is that not more than 4 can be lit.
You can mount 100 (if you have room).
You just can't turn more than 4 on at any one time.

 

Yeah, I hear what you are saying about "any 4 at one time" - but the driving code states that each PAIR of lights equals 1 LAMP.

 

I mounted my fogs inside, spots outside. See pic at http://farm1.static.flickr.com/87/24...2e886f17_m.jpg
Used the light bar from Heritage garage mounted at front subframe bolts, very solid, and it lights up the road.

 

Hey guys,
Is your wife bring her Classic to Vegas this year??
Didn't really get a chance to see it last year.
Got any new shiny bits for it?
See you there.
Keith

 

sorry to get a little OT here but i was pulled over once for coming out of a parking lot a little "hot" and it just happened to be in front of a policeman. he pulled me over and said something like "do you know how fast you were going coming out of the parking lot?" i replied "it was under 35." (they always gotta ask you that) he then went from being a police officer to a plain ole joe. typical questions followed but ended with, "stop driving that thing so fast, ok?" i then replied with, "you wanna sit in it?" , "not allowed to unless we suspect something is wrong here" i kinda chuckled and drove away.

back to the topic now.

i never knew there was a limit to how many lights could be on at any certain time when driving.

 

Yup, its coming. Some new shiny bits too . Along with a new paint job. I think it should run all the way there and back this year. I hopefully wont have to be fixing all day Sat like last year. I spen alot of time after vegas getting the cooling system set up for the hotter desert temps. I made it thru summer here with over 100 degree temps and no overheating .

See you ther Keith

Nik

 

It doesn't look like I'll be doing the auxillary lamps in the near future after all. FOur days ago my Mini spun a connecting rod bearing, so right now she's sitting in my garage, looking neglected. :(

As long as I'm goping to tear into the engine, I'm going to go ahead and replace the whole power plant, transmission and all. It's going to take some time, so I won't be driving her for a while...