Round headlight conversion

[Mike Attew]

A bit of curiosity at present, I have been asked and seen talk about converting from the rectangle headlights to twin round lights on an HC. I was talking to a really nice guy the other week called Gary about this and it sparked an interest in me.

What is actually involved?
Has anybody got pictures?,
Is there any cutting involved?

[Fred Dukes]

the critical part is the mounting plate interface which allows you to mount the twin lights where the rectangular light are mounted - a fabrication exercise
Also there is a modification to the connections to the twin lights + you need indicator/side light assemblies to replace the indicator assembly - another challenge to find those

[1972nail]

Some have found that they can adapt C@pri headlight backing plates to suit and use outer lights with the sidelight included. AFIK it is a reversible conversion. However, I personally think a nice unmolested Viva with original rectangular headlights is a nice car. Fit an SL grille or paint the original delux one black if you want a change but keep it original.

Fitting twin round headlights really is very much the thing to do, but if the original rectangular headlights were good enough for a GT40 then they are good enough for a Viva.

As far as painting the original one black is concerned I would try to make it look a bit like the HB GT grille and retain the bright metal border and paint the complete centre section black including the middle upright 'V' bit. A subtle little bright badge on the lower passenger side would complete the look.

Probably the Delux grille will lend itself better to painting than the SL grille in the picture below as you could get a thinner silver border.

[Fred Dukes]

I agree with you there David but if you are going the twin light way you will need the twin light grill or insertions

[Mike Attew]

I find all of this interesting. David, in amongst the bits I have is a grill with black inserts. It just needs a clean but is this an SL grill you are talking about? Several different looks you can have.

[1972nail]

Yes, that is an SL grille.

I'm not a fan of twin round headlights hence my use of only two.

As you can see I've blacked out the centre section and dropped the badge a inch or so.

[Mike Attew]

I had a Talbot Express I converted from rectangle to single round headlights. The main reason I did this is they had a better light pattern at night which showed up the road better and they did look better.

Your car does look very good with the singles.

[1972nail]

Your car does look very good with the singles.

Thanks, to be honest.....When it came to the end of the build I couldn't afford buy 2 more headlights....

[HC Fairley]

Your car does look very good with the singles.

Thanks, to be honest.....When it came to the end of the build I couldn't afford buy 2 more headlights....

I heard you went singles because you didn't want the car looking too standard.....

[VampireTigger]

I’ve converted my rectangular light cars to LED so they are great for night driving now. Sport Hatch is candle
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