LED Lights for your 356

article by Steve Leiding
For those of us not satisfied by our six volt lights on our 356 cars I have made some modifications that you might find interesting.

First, Joe Leoni (who most of us know) makes a relay that can be installed for the head lights that will directly draw current from the battery, greatly increasing the amount of light that you get.  In addition, there are H4 head lights that can be purchased ( I purchased mine a number of years ago from Stoddard) that will also increase the brightness of your head lights.  These are both available in both six and twelve volt styles.

While Tom and I were at the West Coast we both purchased a set of interior LED bulbs for our instruments and have been amazed at the change in visibility of both the (idiot lights) in the day time and also the dash lights at night.  I have been able to read all of the instruments at night where in the past I was mostly guessing.  These lights are available from Jules Dielen of Arizona and coast about $70 - $80 depending on the type of car.  They are also available both in six and twelve volts.  Jules email address is: Jules.dielen@vw.com, I would highly recommend these LED lights.  I would highly recommend Jules service and products and his prices seem very competitive. 

 

Jules in currently working on LED lights for bee hives for both tail and brake lights and will have them available in the near future. (photos courtesy of Jules)

 

 

 

 

 

In mentioning tail lights, I purchase LED lights for both turning signal, brake, and tail lights from NLA ( Brad Ripley) two years ago and have been very happy with them, I have heard that they are no longer available from NLA but Jules have said that they are available from J Franzen of CU Layer.  Again, I found that there was less current draw in using them.

 

Finally, there are LED third lights available from The Lereyn Company and can be purchase for coupes and open cars.  The coupes are an inside mount very similar to what Fred Uhlmann has installed on his coupe.  I believe the web site in www.thirdbrakelight.com.  I am not familiar with the cost of these as I was fortunate enough to win a set as a door prize at the WCH.

 

All of the above solutions will held the driving safety of both six and twelve volt cars and especially on the six volt cars are a much less expensive solution than converting to twelve volts.

 

Steve Leiding