Light covers or not?

[76Datsun280z]

My parents have been asking me lately what I want for Christmas since they want to get their shopping over with and I was kind of thinking about getting light covers for my car and putting them on after we get it painted. I know it's a lot of matter of opinion on styling, but I was curious what you guys thought of these?

These are the ones that I'm thinking about. http://www.datsunstore.com/product_info.php/cPath/5/products_id/18

[ilikemyz]

i was thinking of the same thing. I don’t have any, but have seen them in some pics, and i like the look, but would be interested in some other opinions from here as well.

[BD240Z]

I've seen them on a number of cars, (in pictures) and thought they looked pretty good but I've always thought it made the car look bug-eyed. I think it takes away from the distinctive lines of the car.

Good luck with your decision.

Bruce

[beandip]

They come in clear and tinted. Check with your State's DMV and see if they are leagl for you . Not all allow them . I have seen tests where the lenses defuse the light from the head lights . EScanlon has them on his Z . His are OEM though . Ask him how he likes them . Gary

[hls30.com]

Shop the aftermarket covers, before you buy them, they can be had new for as low as $40 plus shipping.

[76Datsun280z]

I see, thanks for the responses guys, I will have to look into that. I can't remember where I've heard this before, but I've heard that light covers are a must when you have the H4 headlights which my car has, I haven't heard why this is though.

[Arne]

1.) No reason H4 lights need covers. I guess some people don't want a rock to hit their lights. I have run H4 lights (at least 8 different brands) in every motor vehicle I have owned for the past 30+ years. Never covered a one of them.

2.) The gold car in the picture links below is EScanlon's, who has factory covers. (Note the chrome trim.) The white car has typical aftermarket covers.

http://classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14710&d=1161634846

http://classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14708&d=1161634846

http://classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12916&d=1151089923

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/data/3321/medium/IMG_0821.jpg

[Go240Zags]

I think light covers look cool and give a the Z a more streamlined look. How much, if any, actual effect they have on the Z's slipperiness might be debatable. I much prefer the OEM style over what's out there today, but will go with what I can afford until I can get my hands on some of the originals or truly good repros (Will). The non-OEM type can stop rocks, but God forbid if I ever have some of the originals and a rock hits one - I'd rather lose the headlight.

[76Datsun280z]

Thanks for the info, I was a little skeptical about the light cover being necessary for the H4's. Anyhow, thanks for the pictures. Do you know where you can buy the oringinal oem factory covers with the crome? I agree to that the crome looks better than the black gasket on the reproduction ones. I've looked on Ebay and a few of the Z web sites like Motorsport but haven't seen any of the oem factory ones for sale.

[Arne]

Good luck finding a set, the OE covers haven't been available new for a long time. They show up now and then on eBay, but go for good money if they are complete.

[Curtis240Z]

I like the covers they clean up the aerodynamics of the car. I seem to remember Road & Track doing a comparasion back in the '80s with spoilers, air dams and even these headlight covers. I believe the improve was something like .2 of a gallon/mile. I have the article somewhere in my pile of magazines....

[EScanlon]

I see, thanks for the responses guys, I will have to look into that. I can't remember where I've heard this before, but I've heard that light covers are a must when you have the H4 headlights which my car has, I haven't heard why this is though.

Although distorted, I think that what you may have heard is that Plexiglass Protecting Headlight Covers were very much recommended to protect those $400+ each headlight housings that used the first generation of H4 bulbs.

My 89 Acura Legend has some of those $380 per headlight lights, and they're nothing fancy.....just the shape and the fact that they use the H4 bulbs. Push those up into the $400 + each category and suddenly a rock chip in the glass would require a new headlight housing, because the H4 bulbs couldn't take the moisture and or blowing air on them. My wife's 92 Subaru Wagon is the same way. Even the dealers sold the plexiglass formed protectors...as an accesory to protect the headlight.

Pretty soon, it more than likely morphed into what you heard.

As far as the OEM covers....NLA, which is why the interest in reproductions.

Personally, I like the way it finishes the car, and adds to the aerodynamic look. Whether it adds the mileage, or... I hadn't considered that as I was interested in the over all look.

However, I've noticed an interesting by-product benefit...I don't have to clean my headlights from the bugs and debris on the road...especially in the rainy PACNW.

E