tb (09/01/82)
Perhaps I am behind with my news readership, my question may have already been answered and I missed it, however here goes: A number of US cars imported from France, England and Italy (to name a few) have very different headlight configurations.. An ideal example (though not imported) is the Lynx/Escort. Described as the *WORLD* car, the U.S flavour is very different from, say, the German Escort. Apart from federal fume control etc etc, the German car has a very attractive front end. The headlights are fared into the housing, creating a smooth contour. Looking at the US version you find the lights are set well back in the housing, breaking up any visual/aerodynamic assets of the front rake of the grille. Other examples are the lights on the Mercedes (yucko) or on one breed of volvo. They look so contrived and ugly on such smart motors. Is this all due to federal regs, or just American taste? Is it because flush glass is a potential hazard, or somthing to do with seperate sealed beams? A while ago I noticed, at the Chicago auto show, that a few *replica* manufacturers were putting fared lenses on their classic Mercedes rag- tops. Could this be a trend or just an eyecatcher? Well, if any netlanders.auto types have any ideas on this, or any federalisation processes for imports, do pls reply. Terry Bradley ..!houti!tb