Finally, a replacement headlight solution!

So, I've been on the lookout for Scud style CF headlights for my F430. The lenses have light fogging on them so I knew either cleaning or some type of service was in the future. I even bought a spare set of headlights to experiment on as I was contemplating baking them and swapping out the painted inner for a CF one while I was cleaning the lens.

Anyway, stumbled upon these complete units from Founders Parts that looked really really nice and seemed to check all the boxes. I was a bit skeptical as I haven't heard of them before so I had a chat with the owner for a while. Well, guess what? The same guy that started The Retrofit Source and Morimoto (also avid Ferrari owner/fan) is behind this. His old company was bought out a while ago and taken into a few different directions so he left late last year. This is his latest startup. I've known him for a long time and he knows how to nail lighting so that sort of dispelled any reservations I had about spending a good chunk on just headlights. The nice thing is, these are complete units and not something I have to deal with retrofitting.

Anyway, I know there's been a lot of chatter here about 360 lenses recently and they have both 360 and F430 in the pipeline. I went ahead and ordered a set so I'll keep you all posted on how they come out. I didn't make it in the latest batch, but hoping to get amber lenses in mine which will take a bit longer.

In case anybody else is interested: https://www.foundersparts.com/

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I need to check out their youtube video. They had a few shorts on the IG. From the looks of it, the 360 ones should be pretty nice as well:

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That’s actually an option and it’s much cheaper too: https://www.foundersparts.com/collections/carbon-headlights/products/founders-headlights-ferrari-360-maranello-paint-ready

 

I talked with the owner. He said there’s enough interest in that and they’re going to make it happen. I might have the first set with them.

 

The paintable option comes with a new outer lens also, it’s just not assembled so you can paint the base before it’s attached. From my limited understanding of lighting, there’s more to it than just the bulb. The inner lens quality and shape have a good deal to do with it as well. I’m referring to the dome shaped glass lens in front of the bulb. If better night vision is not worth it for you, then you’re only looking at the value of having an assembly that can be painted and assembled easy. I don’t have a 360, but from my understanding, removing the OEM lenses from that unit is not very simple and you risk damaging them. $2500 seems to be a good value for a complete assembly that gives you both a new outer lens, updated lighting, and a ready to paint surface for the inner.

 

Just a heads up, the amber signals now appear as an option on the website. I personally like the contrast so I’m glad they went ahead with it.

They sent me this pic from an early prototype. The only difference is the lens shroud won’t be chrome but the satin finish instead which I prefer.
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I’ll ask and see. Anybody else interested in a group buy?

 

They have a few videos showing install. Here's the F430 one:

 

Managed to work out a pretty impressive group buy deal. Stay tuned...

 

FYI, group buy posted: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/founders-replacement-headlight-group-buy.706454/#post-150122537