[net.auto] Fed"ing, headlights and old Austin Healeys

wookie (03/24/83)

In regard to Terry Bradleys inquiry about emission standards;  it depends
on what was required that year.  Thus Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)
is needed on all cars starting in the early sixties or late fifties.  This
is an easy one to meet.  The big standards don't start until the late sixties
and even those standards aren't too strict.  A good rule of thumb on the
pollution control game is if it was sold in the U.S.A. then it was and is
legal.  Thus (not counting local laws) a 1913 model T Ford is not required
to have turn signals, or brake lights since it was sold here without them
in the first place.  (There are some local laws in places concerning this)
The same is true for the pollution controls.  So your old "Bugeye" is
certainly no problem.

As for the headlights I am not sure what the laws are but they have been
relaxed somewhat.  I do know that the federalizing people still have to
remove the nice non-sealed beam lights (with the lens wipers on a Mercedes!)
and install DOT approved sealed beam lights so it may be that you are
confusing the new high intensity lights which are sealed beams with the
even better European lights.  Maybe someone has a good answer!

					Keith Bauer
					White Tiger Racing
					Bell Labs  Murray Hill