Rectangle headlight conversion ???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 136
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From: Colorado City Texas
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.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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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.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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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; Oct 17, 2011 at 10:16 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,647
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From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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; Oct 18, 2011 at 01:07 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,647
Likes: 695
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
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.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 136
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From: Colorado City Texas
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
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; Oct 18, 2011 at 09:43 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,449
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From: Panama City Beach, Florida
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
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. 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 136
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From: Colorado City Texas
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.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Colorado City Texas
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Colorado City Texas
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.