Author Topic: Best looking Fog Lights? (Read 35650 times)

TheEngineer · « **on:** August 19, 2004, 21:25:52 »

Best looking Fog Lights?
I’d like to install a pair of fog lights. Unfortunately I have no sense of aesthetics at all. So what do you guys think is the best looking arrangement for fog lights on our cars? Paul Bracq if you are out there, help me!

1969 280SL,Signal Red, A/T, P/S, A/C, Both tops. Ret. engr. 1967 230SL - Sold

Douglas · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2004, 21:45:26 »

Run a search on "fog lights" using the search feature on this site. I think new fog lamps look out of place on a Pagoda, so I'd look for a pair of good used ones from a 114 sedan. If they're not the same as the ones on a 113, they're nearly identical to my eye. They're Hellas and they're kind of flat and thin.

Personally, I think they look terrific, but believe they're out of place on a car with bumper guards. Too busy, in my opinion.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

n/a · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2004, 22:02:40 »

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230 SL 010.jpg
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Douglas · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2004, 22:10:52 »

Here's one on my 114 sedan:

http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/douglas/200343020588_light.JPG

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

hauser · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2004, 22:44:37 »

I have bounced this idea around for a while. To install fogs or not to install. I really like the look of the Hella . One problem about the Hellas is that they are no longer available and nice examples are hard to come by. The closest thing I found to duplicate these fogs are from PIAA. PIAA has an all chrome housing and very similar dimentions to the Hella. I will try to post a pic or two of the W113 with the Hella fog lights.

Here are the dimentions for the PIAA 520 SMR series.

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PIAAfog.jpg
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1969 280sl 5 spd 1999 ML320 Gainesville,Fl.

Ben · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2004, 02:31:27 »

Mmm something I've toyed with ! To be honest I could use good lighting but I think I prefer the look of the SL grille unspoilt !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

Douglas · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2004, 05:00:14 »

Has anyone out there installed foglamps in a Pagoda without drilling holes in the bumper?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

rwmastel · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2004, 06:51:24 »

Dumb question: Why aren't the integrated fog lamps in the euro lights good enough? With a good reflector behind it, it should throw out sufficient candlepower. The bulbs can probably be upgraded, similiar to putting an H4 halogen in for the headlight bulb. They have an up/down directional adjustment to put the light where you want it. What more do you want?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420

A Dalton · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2004, 08:19:47 »

I agree..
If you have Euros , you have good fogs already..
and , like the H4 upgrade for driving beams, the fogs can also be
changed too..
I have done both to mine and they are excellent.

Ben · « **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2004, 08:31:41 »

Yeah thats true !

I have the upgraded halogen headlamp bulbs but I didn't know you could get the fog bulbs aswell ( Where ? ) but my reflectors could do with a clean and one of the adjusters for the fog lamps is busted !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

n/a · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2004, 08:52:18 »

I looked on eBay and eventually found these Hellas for my car. I would not have installed them, but the original owner had installed Lucas Square 8's (found on 69 & 70 Shelby's), which are rectangular. Thes Lucas' looked horrible so I removed them and it was cheaper to buy period Hellas to fill the holes than it was to replace the bumper.
Period Hellas and Bosch lamps can be found if you keep looking. I paid $40 for the pair.

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280SL - Front 1 10024.jpg
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Regards,
Stan

Malc · « **Reply #11 on:** August 20, 2004, 09:20:03 »

Try the Demon Tweeks racing/rallying catalogue for different typs
Malc

TheEngineer · « **Reply #12 on:** August 20, 2004, 10:23:08 »

For rwmastel: Not a dumb question at all: My headlights are the american style and do not have fog lights in the lower half. I also don't have the forward marking lights (standing lights)whereas in the tail lights there is such a bulb, low wattage and switchable by turning the lightswitch to the left. But I do have a fog light circuit, it works and I have tested it by temporarily installing some Chinese lights under the bumpers.
For Ben: I've had the same impression in the back of my mind, but couln't vocalize it: The horns make it look busy!

1969 280SL,Signal Red, A/T, P/S, A/C, Both tops. Ret. engr. 1967 230SL - Sold

TheEngineer · « **Reply #13 on:** August 20, 2004, 10:38:26 »

To A Dalton: What is the diameter and depth of those "original Hellas" and is the back chrome plated? write me e-mail at pjlange@juno.com

1969 280SL,Signal Red, A/T, P/S, A/C, Both tops. Ret. engr. 1967 230SL - Sold

Bob G · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2004, 12:57:59 »

Good subject, since I have put an order in for a pair of optional fog lights out of the W113 parts list 000 820 3156 H-1 bulbs 5 3/4 round. They are not the best looking fog light but they are peroid and factory. I also looked at Cibie who has some hansome peroid fog lights for driving and fog.
I have Bosch square lights on the bumper wired intop the light switch. It does a weard thing when switched all the way to the right the headlights go out but the lower perporation of the factory USA fog lamp remains on with the Bosch lamps is this correct?
Bob Geco

hauser · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2004, 13:22:27 »

Here is a U.S. spec '71 sporting Hella fog lights.

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71280hellafog.jpg
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1969 280sl 5 spd 1999 ML320 Gainesville,Fl.

hauser · « **Reply #16 on:** August 20, 2004, 13:34:05 »

Here is a really nice looking Hella on a BMW 2002tii. Although not used by Mercedes it is still beautiful.

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hella fog 144.jpg
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1969 280sl 5 spd 1999 ML320 Gainesville,Fl.

hauser · « **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2004, 13:44:51 »

Front view U.S. lights with the Hella fogs.

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71280fogs.jpg
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I also have an awesome shot of a Euro model with the same fogs but it is in the form of a photograph. My scanner is down for the moment but will post asap.

1969 280sl 5 spd 1999 ML320 Gainesville,Fl.

TheEngineer · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2004, 16:40:42 »

To Bob Geco (krwaxbc): I traced the wiring and found that the fog light circuit is via a separate fuse box in front of the regular fuse box which contains 12 fuses. This separate fuse box has two stations for fuses, but only one is wired: That one has power only when the parking lights are on: The switch on the dash is one click to the right. When you pull the switch out, the fog lights come on (together with whatever is on for parking lights) The fog lights go out in any other switch position. Where the Euro model headlights have the fog light, I have the directional blinkers. Therfore, when your switch is all the way to the right, the fog lamps go out, the headlights come on and the parking lights remain on.

1969 280SL,Signal Red, A/T, P/S, A/C, Both tops. Ret. engr. 1967 230SL - Sold

tuultyme · « **Reply #19 on:** August 21, 2004, 07:11:30 »

A Dalton
I am interested in your hellas fog lights. Email me at tuultyme@comcast.net.

I saw a Pagoda on Ebay with a bracket that came up from under the bumber around the front. This would be an idea if you wanted to only use them for trips and remove them for a show. I will see if I can find the listing.

Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL

tuultyme · « **Reply #20 on:** August 21, 2004, 07:18:31 »

Look at Ebay item #2487475503. May look better if chrome. Not for everyone but an alternate in drilling the bumper.

Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL

hauser · « **Reply #21 on:** August 21, 2004, 11:06:01 »

Bruce I think the brackets are too long causing a serious vibration problem. If severe enough you will actually see the light projection bouncing around.

Doug I don't think you could get very good results if you anchored these lights other than on the bumper. I do want to show you this unique piece for the foglights. As you see in the pic below if one were to use this type of bracket and turn it around you could hide the nuts and bolt.

1969 280sl 5 spd 1999 ML320 Gainesville,Fl.

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190slfogbracket.jpg
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Douglas · « **Reply #22 on:** August 21, 2004, 11:36:05 »

Hauser, I've seen fog lights held on quite nicely with screw-down clamps that slide onto the side of the bumper. I saw that on a BMW and would think it's possible to fabricate something like that for an SL. Just wondering if anyone has ever seen it done on an SL.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

hauser · « **Reply #23 on:** August 21, 2004, 23:32:44 »

Dough it may be possible to fabricate a custom bracket that would anchor to the mounting bolts of the front bumper.

1969 280sl 5 spd 1999 ML320 Gainesville,Fl.

TheEngineer · « **Reply #24 on:** August 22, 2004, 17:10:31 »

Much thanks to all of you who provided valuable input. The observation that it would be best not to drill holes in the bumper made me use existing holes on the underside of the bumper. As you correctly observed, that way, if desired for show, the lights can be removed without trace. When the lights are installed below the bumper, it leaves the grille exposed and visually only obstructed by the horns: As you observed: “With round foglights and the horns it looks too busy”. There is still enough road clearance: The lowest part to touch a curb is still the radiator drain valve (Ouch!) at 8 inches off the ground. I made two small brackets in the shape of a “Z” which raise the mounting studs of the lights ¾ inch and bring them back and inboard a little. And my wife approves of the appearance. THANK YOU !

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MyFogLts.JPG
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1969 280SL,Signal Red, A/T, P/S, A/C, Both tops. Ret. engr. 1967 230SL - Sold

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Author Topic: Best looking Fog Lights? (Read 35650 times)

Douglas

n/a

Douglas

hauser

Ben

Douglas

A Dalton

Ben

n/a

Malc

Bob G

hauser

hauser

hauser

tuultyme

tuultyme

hauser

Douglas

hauser