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I did a search and found a thread that started out informative, but was threadjacked. What can anyone tell me about this guys Headlight conversion. Its been 5 years since the last post in that thread, I'm wondering if any vendors sell something simple like this? I see posts about repairing and upgrading to brass gears on the headlight popup motors etc. Seems like you could get a much nicer look and not have to deal with the motor and gears with the original popup headlights by doing this conversion.

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Personally I can't say the lights on Jerry's Pantera do much for the look of the car and surely being that far back in the housing they must narrow the beam?

Ron (aka ACCOBRA) was doing some very tasteful lights on his restoration http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/...562/m/8030023424/p/6

Similar can be seen on the orange 'BigPeso' car.

Julian

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i guess it just comes down to taste, because i'm not personally into the orange cars setup. I definitely hear you on the nonstock and value aspect. I wouldn't do anything to the car that couldn't be easily changed back to stock.

This really isn't that big of a deal because I don't anticipate driving the car regularly at night anyway. Was more curious if this was something on the market as a quick conversion. Well I appreciate the quick feedback guys.
FWIW, perhaps a dozen or so Panteras have been converted to fixed headlights- which knocks about 10 lbs of weight off the nose. But it usually requires cutting the body down at least to the break-line for enough clearance so available headlight bulbs shine out. One Norwegian owner (after a collision) converted his headlights to Mazda retractibles- each with its own small motor. Porsche 914s, Firebirds etc use this more complex system. Again, it looks nice but seems like lots and lots of bodywork to get back to stock quality lighting for fast roadwork after dark.
Yeah cutting into a good body is not something I'd want to do personally. The two posted look like they required some body work and thats not something I would ever consider. This is kind of one of those "to each their own" deals as far as taste. The first one interested me because it looked like you could replace it back to stock fairly easily, while the others not a chance.

A lot of the conversions I saw on the net mimic the styles of other cars which I'd also agree is not very original.
Personally I think the Quad headlight conversion is the best aftermarket solution. You do have to cut the headlight buckets so not easily returned to stock, but the conversion doesn't require any paint work. It improves both the lighting and the look as the headlight buckets now raise to about level with the road, losing the 'frog eye' look.

Versions are available from Kirk Evans, Ted Mitchell and more recently www.saccrestorations.net or some people have even done their own.
Unfortunately in Denmark we have to drive around with our headlights on all the time, so there is some incentive for an alternative to the Frog eyes. I have seen some cars with headlights mounted behind the front grill, in front of the radiator, so they are hidden and don't obstruct the lines of the car. I don't have any pictures myself, but wouldn't mind seeing some installations if there are some pictures out there.
Cheers, Tim.
Yea, what Garth said, I also think there may be an answer to not cutting on the body for those that have to change things, ever think about the off road community, light bars on the roof, roo bars up front & my favorite the baja bug special, drill two holes in the roof and mount your KC specials. All this from JC Whitney's.

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I like the lights on this car, I think this very simple change that actually works to enhance the clean body lines of the pantera.
These light housings can be picked up at any salvage yard from a early 90's Geo Metro (almost a shame to put a Geo part on a pantera). Attaching to a stock pantera housing and fabricating a facade should be no problem. I plan to do this to my 73.

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