Thanks to all of you posted replies to my question on how to achieve brighter headlights. There seems to be two main options:

1. Replace the standard Volvo 60/55W bulbs with Philips or similar halogen replacement bulbs with H4 fitting. Philips claim this will increase brightness 30 or 50%, depending on type of bulb chosen. It seems their claims are born out by experience of other bricksters. The beauty of this solution is that no rewiring is necessary, and these bulbs have no increased wattage and are legal. Check out the following site: www.autolamps-online.com. It appears that the foglight bulbs can also be replaced with Philips halogen replacement bulbs, producing a brighter light. The drawback of this option is however that the bulbs are costly.

Replacing the standard bulbs with (illegal) high wattage bulbs seems less attractive and the increase in light does not seem significant, and there may reportedly be some risk of melting surrounding plastic although personally I would doubt that.

2. Rewire the lighting circuit and install relays to increase supply voltage to the headlamp bulbs. A big thanks to John Sargent on this one, his recommended site for instructions on relays is: www.vclassics.com/archive/relays.htm. The drawback with this method is the (daunting) wiring task involved, but once done is permanent. I presume if the Philips Xtra-Vision bulbs are used with this method (if possible), the headlights will be brilliant!

Question to John, the URL shows only two relays installed, where does third one go? Also, how are foglight relays installed? I am a bit of a greenie with the wiring and relays here so any practical hints here would be welcome.

Someone recently took out one of my (plastic) sidelights which houses daylights, indicators and park light and when this was replaced the daylights became noticeably brighter. On an old car it therefore seems a good idea to replace dull plastic lenses. Any ideas on how to clean up the (glass) headlight lenses? Any further suggestions welcome.