Period correct spotlights

[Church of Noise]

A couple of weeks ago, I took part in a 'night run' with my MGB GT V8.
Even though I had ensured the headlights were in good condition, the amount of light they produced was abysmal.

The thing is, this has probably always been this way yet I have been spoiled by the Xenons in my daily driver.

This leads me to want to install period spotlights on my car (haven't decided if they'll be temporarily or not).
Some mates have advised me to get Cibie Oscars (or Super Oscars), and a quick session of Googling has learned me that there is also a knock-off called Sim.

So, can anyone shed any light on what I should get?
Thanks!

[RichB]

Church of Noise said:

..Some mates have advised me to get Cibie Oscars (or Super Oscars)

I guess it depends on whether your car is a Sebring/rally style replica or a road going BGT. Abingdon would have put Cibies on the race cars but production cars would have been fitted with Lucas Fog and Spots of the era to which you could fit halogen bulbs.

[FiF]

Super Oscars will be too big imo.
Oscars will perform well.

Suspect that if you want it to look as period as possible then you need these Lucas lights, but their performance will not match the Oscars. No idea about Sim knock offs.



Lucas spot and fogs

[RichB]

The 576 pictured on Holden's web site is more a 1950s/60s style lamp. By 1976 Lucas had more modern versions and the rectangular lamps were popular in the 70s too. Something like these would be ideal, complete with plastic covers.



p.s. you will notice these are sealed beam halogens

Edited by RichB on Friday 26th December 14:25

[HaylingJag]

"So, can anyone shed any light on what I should get?
Thanks!"

nicely done

[Church of Noise]

Most interesting stuff here already, thanks for that!

HaylingJag said:

"So, can anyone shed any light on what I should get?
Thanks!"

nicely done

[Riley Blue]

I had a similar problem with my Riley 1.5. If you haven't already done it, change the headlamp bulbs to halogen and, if you want spot lamps, make sure they have clear lens, not fluted lens which are fog lamps.

[FiF]

RichB said:

The 576 pictured on Holden's web site is more a 1950s/60s style lamp. By 1976 Lucas had more modern versions and the rectangular lamps were popular in the 70s too. Something like these would be ideal, complete with plastic covers.



p.s. you will notice these are sealed beam halogens

Edited by RichB on Friday 26th December 14:25

To be fair those 576 are 60s units. We rallied a B on a couple of club events in 1970 whilst an Anglia was :cough: having a bit of bodywork sorted. Anyway the B just had two Oscars bolted on.

[RichB]

FiF said:

To be fair those 576 are 60s units.

I agree, but they go back to the late 50s. They were also standard fitment on my '58 Aston.

[BDUBZ]

I u want a cheap set of spotlights with plastic covers theres also the rally giant spots and there not as bulky as cibies can be bumper mounted rather than add spot brackets and if u want even better light put xenon or hid bulb kits in them have u never thought of also converting headlights to xenon or h,i,d system I had a ford escort mk2 the standard sealed beams were terrible like dull yellow candles I replaced them with golf headlamps added xenons and was amazing diff also we used to sand covers of rally giants with fine grade paper so we could remove rally giant logo and we replaced with whatever type car there ons logo to white plastic and it looked great a pair can be bought for less than 1 cibie Oscar never mins super Oscar heres review and a link for you Ring Rally Giant Spot lights provide an entry level solution in the Demon Tweeks range of auxiliary lighting. Sold as a pair, the Rally giants feature a large diameter lens with sturdy metal backing for durability in a variety of conditions. The Rally Giants have been designed to offer a combination of distance and light spread with excellent economy and include 55w bulbs and covers for protection when not in use.http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/front-auxiliary-lamps/ring-rally-giant-spot-lights-pair

[skeeterm5]

I have period correct (ie original) spotlights on my Mk2 Cortina. They actually add very little to the effectiveness of the lights and you are right that you are spoiled by modern standards.

S

[benjj]

Cibie Oscar Plus are probably the ideal lights for you. They're flat backed rather than domes like the Super Oscars. 4 different lense options available and take modern bulbs.

I had a pair on the DS and they were first class.

[eccles]

My Peugeot has period Lucas spots on the front that make the lights easily the equal to ones on my day to day modern Golf.