changing headlights

[olbuickman]

I have a question, How much of a job is it to change over my 1990 Reatta convertible to Sylvania Silverstar headlamps? Driving home on Tuesday night from a car show I realized how poorly the old stock headlights light up the road. Thanks for your imput. Frank

[Guest Richard D]

I believe they are a direct replacement. They looked identical to the halogen model, just some more $$.

[padgett]

Not any harder than any other headlight replacement, takes me about 10 minutes. Believe you need a T15 to remove the surround.

Have SilverStars in both Reattae and the Fiero. I like them.

[Guest Drake]

I have the SilverStars in mine. Very pleased with them.

[Guest CL_Reatta]

^

I third the motion, except for the fact that I had one last me less than 10k miles and had to spend $20 for a new one, but I would say 30 minutes just in case your old lamp pugs are rusted.

[manikmekanik]

Funny you would ask, Frank!

...the irony being - After a short drive to Wally-World, (in outer Lake Geneva), I spontaneously decided to tour downtown, (as part of our sunset cruise , last Friday), and as we entered the main drag, (looking for a spot to park - to get an ice cream cone), I halted to allow a constable to cross, as he was walking the center line. The kind officer approached Black Beauty smiling, (obviously examining her "auxillary horns"!), and request me to show my drivers' license, because one of Beauty's headlamps was not illuminated. I responded, (in shock and amazement), which headlamp, Sir? I have four. (the fog/driving lamps were on.) ...and I informed the officer I had'nt brought my drivers' license along, but could recite the number from memory, as I proceeded to do so. His next questioned was "Are you from ILLINOIS? I replied "NO, we are both Wisconsin Natives, and live locally." The officer, and his young-attractive Female partner guided us toward the nearest no-parking space, (in the geographic center of downtown!), and intructed us to wait. Panikmekanik left me there - to go get our ice cream cones - since we were un-believably close to the parlor! As the lady-officer attempted to check current registration, (from the blue WI-collector license plate), I believe I heard him say these plates are permanent, and need no annual registration sticker. The officer then returned to my side and issued a Warning ticket, in the form of a WI- Fix-It ticket. I graciously thanked him for informing me of the inoperational headlamp, and for not issuing me a handful of citations. Just then, Panik returned with our samples of Wisconsin's finest dairy delights. The officers stopped heavy cruiser-traffic to allow us egress, so I savored the moment, backing out s-l-o-w-l-y into halted traffic of the highest-end exotic cars, (while thier drivers were held at bay - forced to examine beauty and wonder "What IS that fine example of automotive artistry, warranting police escort from a mere parking space?????" ), Ferrari, Lamborghini, Corvette, BMW(2), and CLK all waited for our egress, and a row of custom baggers appeared to be our procession!

None had seen we were being issued a ticket, only the officers' parting of the flow to facilitate our exit, only seconds after Panik returns with treats which everyone is after.

As we s-l-o-w-l-y proceeded the 1/2 block to the 2nd traffic signal in town, our tongues were lashing wildly at our coes, Panik with her "Hollywood Movie-Star" sunglasses reflecting the upcoming stoplights. I obeyed all traffic laws as we waited for the signal to allow our progress, while enjoying the cone delivered to our "perfect parking spot". We paraded thru the loop all the exotics take thru our local "Quaint resort town", and at a stop sign, 'round the back 'o the loop, one of the Baggers pulled along side to ask what the beautiful car we were driving was. I told him "Ahh, It's JUST a BUICK!" (a phrase I learned from F14-Philip!!). He then asked "What did they pull YOU over for?" I replied "The Freakin' pencil got me for a headlamp out!" The belly-laugh form this guy told me he also was a cop, as "PENCIL" is cop-speak for an officer who will write a ticket for anything-at the drop of a hat, ergo-likes to write alot of tickets. The rider then repeated it (verbatum) to his group, and they ALL laughed out loud. GOOD CROWD! Turns out, ALL the baggers were cops, out for a Dairy-Aire cruise thru Lake Geneva, like ourslves. So, in effect, we had a police escort thru town, leading a procession of "Blue Knights" all the way, after our improptu greeting from the local Juean-D'arme!

"Ya meet the nicest people driving a Reatta!"

"Reatta brings out the nicest side of the people you meet on the roadof life!"

So, I gotta replace Beauty's original headlamp, so I can take advantage of my chance to "pull-over a cop" and get a signature for my Fix-It ticket, or they'll discontinue being nice, and issue a WARRANT!

[olbuickman]

Randy, speaking of exotic cars,last tuesday night at the Harley museum car show a Lambo like the one in the attached picture pulled in only it was yellow. Next to a Reatta a blue Muricelago spyder would be one of my favorite cars. Now lets see $210,000 outright or should I lease it for $2500 a month with $20,000 down. I guess I will hang on to the Reatta.

[manikmekanik]

Cheap'er to keep'er!

My brother-in-law once went to our local Mazda dealer to get a replacement power antenna for his RX-7.

...he drove home in an RX-8!!

That's one expensive antenna!

I'm glad you decided to keep your exquisite '90 Reatta convertible, Frank!

Niether the Lambo you saw, (nor the '78 'Vette posted for trade-here at AACA), is as RARE, (by the production/release numbers), as ANY Reatta convertible - of either model year.

Unique individuals generally gravitate towards unique automobiles, and shy away from mass-produced street cars. Oh, the thoughts cross our minds, once every now and then, but when one owns 1 of @2300 orso produced, other exotics seem more common, than unique.

One of my nieghbors owns over 20 Lambos. I'd be hard-pressed to even find 20 Reatta convertibles, even at a BCA National event, let alone for sale.

....or I'd own a few more!

[Guest cfisch]

Would you have a headlight linkage for the passenger side? if so how do I contact you? I'm at CFisc93092@aol.com

[Guest Kingsley]

I sell two models of headlamp crank arms which will take care of your linkage problem. One model is for the"collecteor" fellow who wants his car to retain the OEM look (even if you cannot see the crank arm easily) and the other for the fellow who just wants a dependable working crank arm and related parts. You can see them on Ebay but only too glad to sell them direct. Mr. Barney Eaton, Technical Director of the Reatta Division of the BCA, solved the problem of the "rounding out crank arms" many years ago and also has crank arms for sale.

Kingsley

[padgett]

Guess I am strange that way, while I really like the 3800 powertrain, I have it in three different flavors (coupe, 'vert, van). If I had a family that appreciated cars this might be different but I can only drive one at a time. So different cars for different uses. I really like the Fiero GT but it does seem a little redundant. Maybe once the back garage has a rear entrance so that shuffling does not have to take place to get one out this will change but definately have enough.

[handmedownreatta]

i had a dodge ram 50 pickup that i put a 1980 3.8 buick/turbo200 into.i added the edlebrock power package[500 cfm carb,four barrel intake,and camshaft].it was fast but sucked the gas.it wasn't long til it needed rings.i still have the trans.