Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22447 Location: UK

The wiring on the Volvo, where modifications have been made, is not great. At some point someone has installed LED lights all round, which a) look ridiculous when they're turned on b) don't function properly c) may actually be an MOT fail as it was never designed for them in the first place.

Anyway, long-term I'd like to put it back to how it should be.

I assume it's not just a case of binning the LED bulb units and replacing with normal bulbs? I've seen a mysterious box of wizardry under the bonnet which has something about LED lamps written on it, but what else is likely to have been done when the conversion was first undertaken?

ta, RJ
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Crashbox · Joined: 30 Apr 2021 Posts: 139

With regard to the MOT, if the car was registered before April 1986 then LEDs are perfectly legal (this change came in back in March this year), even headlamp bulbs can be changed to LEDs.

When it comes to 6v pre-war electrics, then LEDs are very much the way forward Cool

lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1585 Location: Le Mans

Owning an E-type with two candle-power headlights, I cannot see the sense in going backwards and having so little light. I have seen E-types that have been converted, and to be able to read the instruments, to see in front of you to have a decent map light, is a wonderment, as the americans say. I am awaiting the new LED bulbs for the old PL700 "ban the bomb" headlights to be available and then every bulb in my car will be changed.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6318 Location: Derby

Some people I have spoken to have reservations about the beam 'scatter' of LED headlamps, so I have chosen to upgrade from traditional bulbs to Halogen that fit the original reflectors. I think they also look better.

MVPeters · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 822 Location: Northern MA, USA

norustplease · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 779 Location: Lancashire

I think that LED's are a great boon as far as road safety is concerned if you are using your car in modern traffic. I have all of my cars converted in terms of sidelights, brake lights and indicators. They may look different, but for me, safety considerations take over from aesthetics, especially if you are likely to be tail ended or sideswiped by someone rushing past in their Audi/BMW who hasn't seen your lights. I would consider a high level brake light in the rear window as well, that could still be a period accessory.
As for headlights, I haven't fitted any of these but am aware of several fellow classic owners who have and who speak very highly of their performance. certainly the ones on the Morris 10 that I was looking at one night a few weeks ago looked anything but odd.
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1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV