Rectangle headlight conversion ???
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: Colorado City Texas
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rectangle headlight conversion ???
I am wanting to change the round headlights to rectangle headlights on my 81 Corvette. I don't want the fixed headlights, I want to keep the pop up headlights. Any info where to buy them or how to change them would be appreciated. Any pics of how the lights are mounted? Here is a pic of what I am looking for.
#4
Race Director
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
Posts: 15,252
Received 1,435 Likes
on
779 Posts
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Keep checking the C3 parts for sale section. There were a couple of sets for sale a few months ago. They pop up every now and then.
#6
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2000
Location: Southbound
Posts: 38,928
Likes: 0
Received 1,469 Likes
on
1,248 Posts
Cruise-In II Veteran
Eckler's used to make them.
#7
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: Danville Illinois
Posts: 9,292
Received 570 Likes
on
286 Posts
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The head light kit was made by "The Vette Shop in Michigan", they are long gone, I have searched for the molds to the covers with no luck.
It was $130.00 for the kit. I do have the 2 page Hot Rod article from 1975 for the install if you want it, and lots of pics.
I have done 4 installs of the kit, "30 years ago" ,pretty straight forward. About a 4 hour job.
Surprised that some company hasn't come up with a kit for it.
It was $130.00 for the kit. I do have the 2 page Hot Rod article from 1975 for the install if you want it, and lots of pics.
I have done 4 installs of the kit, "30 years ago" ,pretty straight forward. About a 4 hour job.
Surprised that some company hasn't come up with a kit for it.
Last edited by Mod75; 10-17-2011 at 10:16 PM.
#8
Le Mans Master
i remember those. i wonder if someone has upgraded bulbs to replace the originals. anyone see if Corvette central still offers them?
#9
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: Danville Illinois
Posts: 9,292
Received 570 Likes
on
286 Posts
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
7T9L82 Excellent point about updating the bulbs. My bulbs are the originals and are around 35 years old.
Lights still look bright to me, but will check into replacing them as we do drive at night. Maybe some halogen bulbs to see the wildlife better.
Just looked on the Corvette Central site, they have the bucket to replace the flip up lights
Lights still look bright to me, but will check into replacing them as we do drive at night. Maybe some halogen bulbs to see the wildlife better.
Just looked on the Corvette Central site, they have the bucket to replace the flip up lights
Last edited by Mod75; 10-18-2011 at 01:07 PM.
#10
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: Danville Illinois
Posts: 9,292
Received 570 Likes
on
286 Posts
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Might help if i put these up, not sure if there will be a conflict with the people that did the article? I am sure somebody will let me know.
This is 36 years old.
This is 36 years old.
#11
Drifting
The rectangular bulb buckets, trim rings, adjusters, springs and screws can be had from an early 90's salvage yard Camaro, Firebird and.... on the cheap. The stock, round bulb cover can be modified for the rectangular bulbs with a little planning. If sufficiently motivated, this might be worth the effort.
#12
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: Colorado City Texas
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the headlights, buckets and trim rings from a 77 Firebird I parted out a couple of years ago. The buckets are too deep and they are an inch away from the adjusters. The adjusters need to be moved but I'm not sure if both of them (for one headlight) need to be moved or just one. I contacted Ecklers and asked them if they still had the molds for the bezels and they replied that the kit is no longer available. I kinda figured that out...duh!...lol. Great pic of the instruction sheet, thanks.
#13
Drifting
I have the headlights, buckets and trim rings from a 77 Firebird I parted out a couple of years ago. The buckets are too deep and they are an inch away from the adjusters. The adjusters need to be moved but I'm not sure if both of them (for one headlight) need to be moved or just one. I contacted Ecklers and asked them if they still had the molds for the bezels and they replied that the kit is no longer available. I kinda figured that out...duh!...lol. Great pic of the instruction sheet, thanks.
Last edited by Red 69; 10-18-2011 at 09:43 PM.
#14
Drifting
I started this conversion several months ago and changed my mind.
Beware that you have to cut off the metal "pads" that the headlight buckets rest against, photos 4 & 5 above. There is no going back on this unless you JB Weld them back on, OR replace the entire cast headlight assy. ALSO - you have to enlarge the headlight hole. In the photo'd above 7 & 8 they show using a file, GOOD LUCK, look at the amount of metal you have to remove, with that file it will take awhile. Also, all the adjusters have to be replaced.
Just an FYI, looks cool, I just decided I didn't want to do the mods. Unfortunately I decided after I started so I still am fixing a few things.
Frank
Beware that you have to cut off the metal "pads" that the headlight buckets rest against, photos 4 & 5 above. There is no going back on this unless you JB Weld them back on, OR replace the entire cast headlight assy. ALSO - you have to enlarge the headlight hole. In the photo'd above 7 & 8 they show using a file, GOOD LUCK, look at the amount of metal you have to remove, with that file it will take awhile. Also, all the adjusters have to be replaced.
Just an FYI, looks cool, I just decided I didn't want to do the mods. Unfortunately I decided after I started so I still am fixing a few things.
Frank
#15
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: Regina Saskatchewan
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
I wasn't really crazy about this mod at first , but the more I look at it the more it kind of grows on me. Nothing screams '80s more than those square headlights. GM could have easily made this change back then.
#16
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: Colorado City Texas
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with using a file to enlarge the hole, that would take a while. Thank goodness for modern tools! I like the look of the rectangle lights on the 80, 81 and 82 Corvettes, most GM cars in the 80's had them.
#17
Pro
Cyclops,
I have a set of these on my 70, and I want to go back to the round ones. If someone confirms that these would work on your 80 I'd be happy to make a deal. They are Mulsanne Blue.
I have a set of these on my 70, and I want to go back to the round ones. If someone confirms that these would work on your 80 I'd be happy to make a deal. They are Mulsanne Blue.
#18
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: Colorado City Texas
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#20
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: Colorado City Texas
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have an old door that's not in the best shape that I am going to use to mock everything up with. If it works and fits good I plan on taking step by step pics, kind of like the instructions above, of the actual conversion.