Fitting Cibie Spotlights

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Hi

I have two pairs of Cibie bonnet mount spotlights I would like to fit. I will only fit two I think as 4 may be OTT.

Has anyone fitted them before on here?

I am trying to work out whether the standard alternator will be sufficient and some tips on wiring - I'd like to run the wires through the support bars on the underside of the bonnet so they are invisible so could use some tips. Also some dimensions on where to fit on the bonnet as its going to be a one hit thing.

If anyone is interested in the second pair I would consider selling.

Cheers

Ben

[eitnurg]

Those Cibie lights are designed as an accessory for the DS, and the bonnet on a 914 is not steep enough for them: as they are they would end up pointing at the sky, beyond adjustment. You will have to make up some sort of angled spacer on which to mount them, about 7/8mm at the rear tapering to 1mm at the front, from memory. Keeping them as low as possible means that you will have to bend the mounting tab on the chrome rim a bit to avoid fouling the bonnet surface.
They also have a s/s plate underneath as reinforcement. A 6 alternator is plenty strong enough; don’t know about the 4.
The vital bit is the condition of the lens/reflector itself: apart from the odd diameter, they seem to have a unique pattern of mounts & adjusters that means nothing else will do.

[defianty]

There's a good few 914's out there with them fitted. I don't know of any cars in the UK with them that I can think of.

If you don't get an answer on fitting it's worth asking over on 914World as someone there will know the answer.

[anglophone1]

Angus (camperco) has some on his green rally 914- he’ll jump in here I’m sure!

[rhd racer]

Crikey that white car is low!

I ran mine like that once with the 4 cylinder in and cracked the sump - expensive repair!

[eitnurg]

Reinforcing plates & cable routing (note fibreglass bonnet)

914lights6.jpg

Factory-fitted to a 916

9142330018-2.jpg

An unintended consequence is that the weight of the lights means that the bonnet springs - even on their maximum setting - are no longer strong enough to hold the bonnet up. Can be a right pain at times.

[Ben Nichols 1979]

That's a great help, thanks guys, I'll get some plates made up. Once I remember how to post pics I'll upload some. Cheers.

[camperco]

Yes, you will need a wedge spacer or you will end up doing an impression of a WW2 searchlight. There is not enough adjustment to overcome the difference which is about 8-10mm. You could also de-construct the shell and re-assemble it with the bracket re-positioned but that might devalue your lamps.