where do I get some "bug-eye" driving lights?

jmz · jmz's Garage

I have seen pics of cars w/ driving lights mounted on the hood (not the ones in the early horn grills) What are these called? Are they still available? How much?

I would like them for my '74 hot rod in the works.

JMZ

BUG EYE LIGHTS

ZAMIRZ · ZAMIRZ's Garage

Those are Cibie lights, I've actually been looking around for a pair of those as well.

dtw · 02-26-2003, 06:09 PM

Cibie/Marchal driving lights. If you keep a careful eye on eBay they show up there every couple months. I got a near-flawless set with H1 Marchal inserts for 500...this seems to be the going ebay rate for nice units. I saw a well-worn set at a swap meet a few weeks ago for $400 (no one was biting on that price).

The mounting hardware is easy to fabricate if you don't get it with your purchase- email for pics if you end up needing to fabricate.

Woody · 02-26-2003, 06:17 PM

can't have these

Woody · 02-26-2003, 06:20 PM

better angle

Woody · 02-26-2003, 06:21 PM

I was offered $1000 US for these babies. Make sure the base is sloped to fit the hood.

Schuey · 02-27-2003, 07:53 AM

just curious...why would you want these? sorry for the dumb question, I'm assuming it's a "racing thing"

jmz · jmz's Garage

cool

Woody · 02-27-2003, 03:41 PM

they were a factory rally option I believe. Where are you George tell the story.

Soterik · Soterik's Garage

Factory 73 RS option, as I understand.....here's mine.

MarkP · 02-27-2003, 08:24 PM

Period correct...

Wil Ferch · 03-01-2003, 06:45 AM

For those of us not too concerned with originality..are there fair approximations of more modern units ( less $ for cheap b&stards like me) to consider ??
---Wil Ferch

GeorgeK · 03-01-2003, 09:00 AM

Historically they were built for the Citroen DS, which had single headlights in its first iteration. You could order these as an option, with either Cibie or Marchal lights.
Then the racing department at Weissach realised they did fit the hood real nice, with the bullet shape, AND they took up to 100W bulbs.
So really nothing to do with Porsche in their creation, but way COOL.
They were an option since late 60's not specific to the RS.
CAUTION when buying: every single part is unobtainium. So if only the bezels are rusty, or just one reflector matte, the set is worthless.
GeorgeK

Soterik · Soterik's Garage

GeorgeK

If they were optional.....what's the late 60's part number? And where did you find that info? I've looked, and cant' find part number or info.....and I've got a LOT of reference material including my fathers orginal price lists with options. (from when he was an independent dealer importing cars through Ben Pon.....)

Thanks!

Eric

GeorgeK · 03-01-2003, 12:27 PM

According to my mechanic, you could order them through the racing department. Sorry I wish I knew more. Clearly anecdotal info, but from a source that worked there in the early 70's.
GeorgeK

nick-moss · nick-moss's Garage

Here is a full set on a 1971 ST

Soterik · Soterik's Garage

By the way....just to echo GeorgeK's comments on condition...

I found a "really nice" set of these...(reflectors, chrome, lenses etc).....and then took them apart to find the adjusters completely frozen together with rust....requiring a LOT of work to repair....
So..beware at any price...

Eric

ZAMIRZ · ZAMIRZ's Garage

The ones I want are the same as the ones in Nick's post above, except instead of black I think I'll have mine painted slate blue to match the rest of the car. Any leads would be appreciated.

Joeaksa · 03-01-2003, 03:12 PM

Nick,

Sure you have enough light going out there!!?? Jeez, only six lights on the front of the car. Hope no one ever makes you mad or you could melt the back of their car with those!

GeorgeK,

I am putting a fiberglass front hood on my car. Do you know if the factory ever used these lights on anything other than the steel hoods? Would really have to support the underneath sides I assume.

Joe

dtw · 03-01-2003, 03:49 PM

They'd work fine on f/g I think, they don't really weigh much and their backing plates would distribute the torque load over the f/g hood just fine.

George- Are some of these Cibie & Marchal inserts I see go by on eBay occasionally compatible with the shells? I was thinking of picking up a few extra inserts if I could make sure I was buying the right items. Then it's just a matter of rechroming the trim rings and painting the shells, if it ever came to that. Fortunately the set I got from Thomas was flawless.