vette888

I have a 72 driver with the eckler monza type headlights. I have always wanted to put back on the original headlight assembly's. I know this is costly and impossible to find originals. Can anyone give me any ideas as to aftermarket parts or if they did this conversion back to original.

markdtn

Not impossible. You can expect to spend $500+ for original light assemblies with good horsehoes. Most of the Vette junkyards would offer this as a package.

HOOAH

Keep n eye out in the "parts for sale/wanted" section too. i've seen the entire assemblies in the posts that advertise parting out. Not sure what the interchange years are. You could also post a "wanted" string to tickle the interest of someone who could help you out. Good luck!

vette888

Thanks for letting me know.

Easy Mike

Technically, replacement of the flip ups is possible. The aftermarket providers carry the parts needed, but the cost for new units complete would be very high.

You may be able to find someone who would want the Monza units and help with some of the expense.

MakoShark72

I have a few odds and ends parts from my 72 if you need, not much... but if you are interested PM me next week and I'll see what I have.

Rob

gbvette62

Doing it new, your looking at $499ea for the 2 headlight assemblies, $60ea for 2 actuator relay valves, about $70 for the vacuum hose kit and $25 for the check valve and filter. That should be all you need to return to pop up lamps.

68-74 headlight assemblies are pretty hard to find used any more, but they do turn up. The 75-82 assemblies are much more common. Used assemblies run $200 to $300 each, with 68-74 sometimes going higher. The 75-82 units van be converted for your 72, the only difference is the mounting horse shoe. Unfortunetly, that 68-74 support runs about $200 ea new, which makes the cost of converting a set of lamps about the same as new ones.

TWINRAY

I've been looking for over a year with no luck. The one or two times someone was selling the price was out of the ball park for me. I figured by the time I spent more $$ on the parts I'll need for the rebuild, I might as well (bite the bullet) buy completed assemblies from one of the suppliers. Granted it won't have the pot metal bezels but I'm not NCRS anyway.

Tom Sarno

I just told a member of the forum that he could have my whole front '74 clip including the headlight assemblies for $400. He did not pick it up yet. The actuators and relays are missing.

If he does not pick it up I would sell off the headlights. If he does pick it up, he might be selling the headlights.

Sully1882

been there and done it too, here's what I have learned:

68 assemblies are unique

69-72 will work for you as direct install with no mods

73-74 will work but you need to fabricate some small spacers that fit under the front tabs on each of the fronts of the assemblies, otherwise the whole thing sets too low in the surround.

75 and up did not mess with as the horseshoe is much different. I am sure it could be made to work but would take some bubba work to do so. The mount points are different and beyond what I wanted to mess with.





here's the spacers, no one makes them anymore and I have tried calling the vendors and they all have no idea what I am talking about. But if a 69 to 72 car needed replacements after the stock was depleted they used the 73-74 assemblies with these spacers.

hth,

Sully

GUSTO14

Melrose T-Top is selling complete assemblies as well as all the individual parts now. They had complete assemblies at Carlisle and while I can't recall the price I did feel that they were likely less than the cost of finding a good set and replacing all of the parts that typically wear out.
http://www.melroset-tops.com/melrose_catalog.pdf

I believe they are selling them to many of the vendors as well. It may be worth giving them a call and talking to them about it. All of the parts appeared to be new, They do modify the earlier actuator supports to fit on the later model C3's. The actuator support is the part that is typically broken on most used assemblies.

Good luck... GUSTO

mrvette

Trust me, BTDT and went fixed lights.....the OEM stock type assy's are just a problem area forever.....you want some show car to win some award from a organization that thinks it's nice, or you want a car you can live with and drive enough to enjoy and get compliments....

your choice......


save your money and keep fixed lights....

or modify them to suit your taste.....

TWINRAY

Pls put me on the list as a headlight buyer in either of these instances.
thanks, Fred

427basketcase

There's a couple on e-bay now, they need a little work, but the price is right
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-...Q5fAccessories

Tom Sarno

I have a pair that are much better then that from a "74 that spent most of its life inside. If anyone needs them I would let them go reasonably.

thatcorvetteguy

I've seen those on ebay and you don't have to look very close to see the repairs made on them. I tried to sell a nice set complete for $350. and no takers.

jabrun

I've got a set of assemblies off my '72 that I plan on selling. I'm going with the FIA style, already have the transparent covers and having the sheet metal brackets made at a shop in town. I'm keeping the bulbs and cups to put in my new setup. What I'll probably be getting rid of is the door assemblies, relays, actuators, vacuum hose kit, vacuum tank and the wiper door setup. I tested the headlight actuators and believe the diaphrams are still good because that port held vacuum but the witch hat seals need to be replaced on the rod end because the other port leaked. I don't think that's a big deal because they're available and not that expensive. I believe the hose kit is fairly new because the hoses are nice and soft and the color code stripes are nice and bright. I was going to wait until I had my new setup installed before putting the extra parts up for sale but if you're interested shoot me a PM.

SmokedTires

I removed both of my headlight assemblys from my 74 this summer. They opened and closed by vacuum before removal. If interested I could take pics either tomorrow night or Friday.