Conrod's 1972 Mk1 V8

[conrod]

Thanks. I think my word for those wheels are old school.
Looks really nice in my eyes.
I found a picture on a old Volvo with slot mags.
It’s NOT my car.
I hope that it’s ok to post a pic on a Volvo in this thread . If it’s not I will take it away.
Notice the red paint i the holes. Some were in Sweden, perhaps in the summer of -83.
Göran i Björnarbo

Nice old Amazon Yes old school wheels, you can't put modern wheels on an old Transit!

Painting red in the holes was quite a popular thig to do back then. Although mine are polished in the holes, so don't think I will be doing that!

[conrod]

I spent a few hours today bolting on some parts; lots of NOS parts which I have been collecting for this project.

Headlights temporarily fitted, new bezels, bumpers, clear front indicators, tail lights and rear reflectors.

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The headlights I bought a few years ago are an interesting thing for trainspotters like myself; a pair of Cibie Biodes. Invented in the late 1960's, before the H4 dual filament halogen bulb was invented, they take 2x H1 halogen bulbs. There is a separate reflector in the lower part of the headlight (which you can see) that is the high beam, and the upper bulb, which has a shroud and is not visible is the low beam. These were the choice of works rally teams in the late 1960's and early 1970's such as Ford Escort, Porsche 911 and Mini Coopers. Although very old technology, they are still give off an extremely good light output, even by todays standards. I was quite lucky to find these, they are extremely rare and sell for ridiculous money on Ebay.

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[Neil]

like you say most people will not spot those lights,, its looking good now

[conrod]

like you say most people will not spot those lights,, its looking good now

thanks Neil, I am quite happy with the overall look so far

As I said, those lights are just for the trainspotters

[Altransit]

It's all looking great Conrad, you must be proper chuffed with that

Although it wasn't those, I had a pair of a later generation of Cibies OE fit on my '79 Escort Sport, and they were without doubt, the best headlights I've ever driven with, (although the HIDS on my current Focus are pretty good ) .

On high beam, the Cibies practically blistered the paintwork of any car blocking your lane on the motorway

[conrod]

It's all looking great Conrad, you must be proper chuffed with that

Although it wasn't those, I had a pair of a later generation of Cibies OE fit on my '79 Escort Sport, and they were without doubt, the best headlights I've ever driven with, (although the HIDS on my current Focus are pretty good ) .

On high beam, the Cibies practically blistered the paintwork of any car blocking your lane on the motorway

Following on from the Biodes, Cibie made a 7" headlamp called the "Z" Beam, which is probably what you had in your Escort. They took an H4 halogen bulb, and had a unique "Z" shaped cutoff on low beam, instead of the usual kick up to the left. Bloody awesome headlight, I bought a new pair in the 1980's for my Mk1 Cortina. I have a lonely one here in my parts, still in the box! Again very rare now and sought after. The Cibie factory burnt down in the early 1990's, and I don't think they ever produced these lights again.

[Altransit]

Following on from the Biodes, Cibie made a 7" headlamp called the "Z" Beam, which is probably what you had in your Escort.

That does sound like the puppy

Strange that Cibie could make an H4 unit into a floodlight, when every vehicle that I've had since, (also fitted with an H4) has been mediocre at best
Maybe my eyesight was just better back then

I suppose that every headlight since those days being a unique shape to the vehicle, has put the kybosh on the aftermarket manufacture of standard round headlights, although there must be a market for a retrofit H4 unit, due to all of the classics with their "Lucas sealed beams" (Including my Mini!)

[DougT]

Wipac do a "Free Form" 7inch headlamp marketed as Wipac Crystal which the Land Rover people use as an upgrade to the bog standard. Uses H4 bulb.

Free Form is what they use on modern shaped headlamps often with Leds and means that everything is done on the reflector and therefore it has a clear plastic lens. Supposed to be good and better than 7inch standard but disadvantage is that while the lens is difficult to break, it will get scratched over time.

Doug

[conrod]

Following on from the Biodes, Cibie made a 7" headlamp called the "Z" Beam, which is probably what you had in your Escort.

That does sound like the puppy

Strange that Cibie could make an H4 unit into a floodlight, when every vehicle that I've had since, (also fitted with an H4) has been mediocre at best
Maybe my eyesight was just better back then

I suppose that every headlight since those days being a unique shape to the vehicle, has put the kybosh on the aftermarket manufacture of standard round headlights, although there must be a market for a retrofit H4 unit, due to all of the classics with their "Lucas sealed beams" (Including my Mini!)

Hahaa, my eyesight was better back then too! The 7" round headlight was an ideal shape to project light forward. Square and rectangular H4 headlights were basically the same as these with the edges cut down, so light output was really shitty on many of these. Strangely enough, the Mk2 Transit headlights (square ones) have a really good light output, as long as there is 12+ volts at the bulb! I also have a Focus with HID lights, I will park it alongside the Transit one night and compare the light output just out of curiosity.

I think the market for 7" headlight replacements is miniscule compared to what it was back then, hence the small selection. There were a few manufacturers (Hella springs to mind, and Carello too) which made a 7" H4 headlight with concave lens. These were a good looking unit.

I have seen those Wipac freeform lights, they are probably a good unit. I just don't like the look of those on an old vehicle, and even less so the various LED and "angel eye" headlights that are flowing out of China. Many of those have a very patchy light output at best, and are not legal for road use.

Nice to see some other headlight anoraks like myself out there, it can be a lonely place sometimes!

[Altransit]

Nice to see some other headlight anoraks like myself out there, it can be a lonely place sometimes!

There was me thinking you would be hacked off with me hijacking your thread
As a kid, I was always noticing detail differences between similar models of vehicle, and then boring people to death by telling them all about it, when it was obvious (to me now!) that they didn't share my 'interest'

[conrod]

There was me thinking you would be hacked off with me hijacking your thread
As a kid, I was always noticing detail differences between similar models of vehicle, and then boring people to death by telling them all about it, when it was obvious (to me now!) that they didn't share my 'interest'

No not at all! A bit of banter is always welcome, even if it does go off topic. Much nicer to have a good conversation with someone, than to just post stuff up here and wonder if anyone really gives a sh*t?

[conrod]

P.S. the fact that your Focus has HID headlights means it is probably a Titanium, ST or RS. I am a lot like you in spotting those little detail differences between same model cars Here is mine:

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[dumper]

Back in 76 I had the original wipac h4 conversion on my mk1 escort along with 4 of along with four of the hellraiser rally lamps not bad lights in the time a lot better then the sealed beam of the time.

[conrod]

Back in 76 I had the original wipac h4 conversion on my mk1 escort along with 4 of along with four of the hellraiser rally lamps not bad lights in the time a lot better then the sealed beam of the time.

yep sealed beams with low voltage were scary old things. Mind you, most cars were much slower back then too!

[Altransit]

P.S. the fact that your Focus has HID headlights means it is probably a Titanium, ST or RS. I am a lot like you in spotting those little detail differences between same model cars Here is mine:

Nice Motor
Mine is the earlier (2012) Mk3 Focus TitaniumX estate, and my son has a Titanium saloon. Mine has the all singing Xenon HID + cornering lights + LED DRL's, and his has the standard Halogens, no cornering lights, and bulb DRL's.
When I looked into upgrading his lights, I was told that it wasn't an easy job, wiring was different, BCM 'may' have been different, and the price of the lights at nearly £600 each was a bit of a killer too.
I had to buy another light for mine because one of the DRL's stopped working, and you can't (apparently) replace that light on its own

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