Cibie Pallas Lamp Refurb - Updated 30th July - Housing Paint

[Highfield]

I have managed to get hold of a pair of these lamps, given that the front end plans for my car go something like this :-



I have stripped them apart and given them a good scrub up :-





I am going to get the trim rings re-chromed inside and out, as well as yellow zinc coating the base mount inside the pod, and the ring that the lense attaches to.

The brackets will be powder coated satin black - is this correct ?

Should I have the pods blasted (a little rust inside only) and then painted or powder coated in ivory white. Can I consider painting from a rattle can, or is the finish really not good (not done it for years).

The bulbs are H1 55W, and one looks dubious - any idea where I can get these from.

I also need one of the multi pronged brackets that holds the yellow reflector to the bulb holder - any idea where from ?

Finally, the lenses are great, but the reflector has a little pitting around the edge on the outside (the bronze outer section) - shall I just grey rust paint this rim ?

The big job is fitting them, as I need a separate relay and a suitable dash mounted switch - and I am no way an electrician, so will need lots of advice, but this is something I can work through and enjoy when they are mounted.

Ian

[Lightweight_911]

Ian -

H1 55w bulbs should be available from any decent Auto Accessory shop - I get mine from Vehicle Wiring Products:

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.u ... hts-3.html

Iwould get the pods (housings) lightly media-blasted & then get them painted - I doubt that an aerosol would match the colour very well.

I'd paint the spreader plates that go under the bonnet satin black - OK to use an aerosol here.

[oliveR]

FYI you can find 3 types of bulb holder



Two for Cibié




one for Marchal




and two types of yellow bulb




you can also find long yellow bulb and short ones (shown upper)

[Highfield]

OliveR

I am sure they are the left of the two show where you have labeled 'two cibie'.

One yellow cover is "straight", whereas yours have a recessed bottom !

My chrome holder around the cover is also different, having more prongs than yours.



Do I have to fully loosen the three adjuster nuts to remove the lens, or can I simply pull it forward out of the three plastic holders. It is just tedious to have to undo just to change a bulb.

Do I have the correct holder and cover ?

Do you have a spare to match ?

Assume if you leave the cover off you just get a normal white light.

Thanks,

Ian

[Highfield]

Thought I would ask Edmond Harris for a price on the NOS Cibie lenses and stone guards (not seen these, and they do not have a picture).

Polite and quick response received :-

"The stone guards are £600 pair.

I only have the covex lenses here at the moment which are £250 each. The concave lenses (required for the guards) are the same price but it will be a few weeks before i have them here.

All are original NOS."

Ouch - that is £1,100 for a pair of lenses and guards.

Way way way out of my league I am afraid.

Any other stone guards that will fit - cheaper ?

Ian

[oliveR]

Ian,
you're right,your holder around the cover is also different, having more prongs,one more type...
You just have to simply pull it forward out of the three plastic.
I will check for a spare,not sure...
Right,if you leave the cover off you just get a normal white light.

[Highfield]

OliveR

Here are close up pictures of my reflectors (one straight and one with the groove) and holder.

The long straight reflector was rubber glued in to the bulb holder - I am sure this would not be correct as there are three slots for a mount on the holder.

Do you have a holder for the reflector, and if not, do you know where they are available.

Alternatively, I can just run with white lights.

Silly point, but I assume these are driving lamps as opposed to fog lamps ?

Ian

[Gilbert '71 T]

Silly point, but I assume these are driving lamps as opposed to fog lamps ?

Hi Ian

they are 55W 'H1' bulb holders in which case, I'd say Driving lamps

also I removed the yellow bulb cover pieces on my Marchals and ran then with 'white lights' only, i found the yellow just looked too funky on the front of my car (too many colours going on)

hope this helps

[Highfield]

Picked up the housings from Tuthills (droped there whilst having the cage fitted), complete with bright new white / ivory paint.





Alan.UK is powder coating the base mounts, and yellow zinc coating the other items.

Hopefully all back together soon, and ready for fitting - more question to come

Ian

[mycar]

Hi Ian, did you get any further with the stone guards ?

Mike.

[jamie]

Isn't there some clear soft sticky-back plastic product you can put over the lenses to protect them? Can't remember the name of it, but it comes in a sheet and you just cut to size. Invisible once on the lens, and could save you major dollar down the line...

[mycar]

Thanks Jamie, that would do the trick, although I must admit I`m more interested in the look of the of the lens guards, wasn`t actually planning to drive my car where there were any stones

Mike

[elkelk]

I'm in the same boat, if anyone knows where to get stoneguards for Cibie's (original or repro) let me know!

Gavin

[kenikh]

Just a little trick; you can pretty easily adapt Jeep CJ7 stone guards to the Cibie lamps.

[mycar]

Thanks Kenik, cunning plan, I`ll have a dig around.

Who`d have thought the answer lay in Seattle... Viva il DDK

Truly an international meeting of minds

Cheers, Mike.