If the euro lights are proven to be better than the U.S. sealed beam headlights, and thus safer, why did the government require sealed beams? I would think both would shatter in pieces the same if involved in a frontal collision. Is there a good reason(s) for the US to require sealed beams??
i don't think the difference is so much sealed vs composite lamp construction. rather, i think the difference lies in how the light is distributed. it just seems to be more standard "back in the day" to use sealed beam construction, but lately new designs have proved better.
__________________ 20,000mi on biodiesel and counting!
A good friend who used to work for Maserati in the 60's & 70's and worked with (fought) the DOT/NHTSA to federalize many models, told me that one of the government's concerns was of standardization and availability, that if a sealbeam were to fail, it was easily replaceable at any filling station or drugstore.
Of course in Europe a set of spare lamps was required to be carried in the car and would be inspected at border crossings !
Good thing the goverment came to it's senses or now we would have beautiful flowing, flame-styled cars with two 7 1/4" sealbeams at the front!
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