Headlights behind grille?

[Del]

I was having a look at the 'Fantasy Mk2 Cortina' thread, and trying to come up with an idea. I really love the look that a lot of American customs have, of putting the headlights behind a full-width grille, as on this Falcon:

But I wondered if this is legal in the UK? I'm sure some American cars had them as standard (Buick Riviera springs to mind), so it must be OK in that instance, but what if you wanted to modify a car to have them? And are the grilles over the lights moveable, like a louvre, or are they fixed?

[akku]

on the later Buick Riviera the headlights are hinged and swing down when turned on.



on on the earlier ones there is a "barn door" or "clam shell" which opens up.



On Chargers etc. they have covers



Most of those customs the grilles are fixed. If you can convince your MOT tester that the beam pattern is unaffected it should pass an MOT

[automatic]

Hmm the car that springs to mind that had those as standard was the Dodge Charger and they had little sections of grill that folded down and out of the way when the headlights where on.

As to whether or not they would be legal the anwser is simple.

If they seriously affect the lights beam pattern then no they are not, however if they don't then I cant see a problem. I would test it on an MOT beam setter and see if the pattern is acceptable if it is go for it.

Oh and in case you didn't know you can get daytime only MOTs. To do this you have to either completly cover or remove the headlamps

[WillCarter]

Taunus I spotted at Billing a few weeks back.

[bandit54]

Copey,s capri has light grills and bloody sweet they look too

[akku]

you could make the grill in sections, the bits over hte headlights being removable. You then remove the grills over the lights when you drive at night or go for an MOT...

[dude]

will - I believe that is an opel, they do look alike

Anyhow, it looks awesome! Any more pictures?

And while being a smartass, the one in the original post is a photoshop, which i hope you knew

Have some tube/round bar grilles

[dungbug]

I seem to remember there being an aftermarket grille for MK2 golfs which were effectively a grille across he front and a motor which moved the louvres when the lights were put on, I' m sure someone will know the one I mean.

[Lawsy]

a friend did one custom style on his mk1 golf..

i'll tyr and dig a picture out - he had a removable piece of plastic that slotted behind - looked awesome

[akku]

Damn, now I have a megawant for a full sized '69 Chevy (again)

[WillCarter]

Jun 17, 2011 17:25:47 GMT dude said:

will - I believe that is an opel, they do look alike

Well everyday is a lesson. Got one more pic of it.

[CIH]

those hideaway lights are awesome! Also;

[mrj]

Jun 17, 2011 17:46:00 GMT dungbug said:

I seem to remember there being an aftermarket grille for MK2 golfs which were effectively a grille across he front and a motor which moved the louvres when the lights were put on, I' m sure someone will know the one I mean.

these were the "Orciari"-Grilles :



rare as hens teeth today, second hand ones sell for a couple of hundred Euros ....

there are some pics i can not hotlink, so just use google to see the clever design they made for opening the grille....

[Del]

Thanks for all the info!
I guessed the original photo was 'shopped but it did illustrate the point. There really are some nice ones, the Rekord and Capri are *very* smart!
Now I fancy it on something like a PC Cresta!

[dungbug]

Jun 17, 2011 19:06:31 GMT mrj said:

Jun 17, 2011 17:46:00 GMT dungbug said:

I seem to remember there being an aftermarket grille for MK2 golfs which were effectively a grille across he front and a motor which moved the louvres when the lights were put on, I' m sure someone will know the one I mean.

these were the "Orciari"-Grilles :



rare as hens teeth today, second hand ones sell for a couple of hundred Euros ....

there are some pics I can not hotlink, so just use google to see the clever design they made for opening the grille....

Thank you Jurgen. ;D

[slackerTHEpinstriper]

Jun 17, 2011 18:18:45 GMT WillCarter said:

Jun 17, 2011 17:25:47 GMT dude said:

will - I believe that is an opel, they do look alike

Well everyday is a lesson. Got one more pic of it.

i love this car, it crops up from time to time

[robinmasters]

Jun 17, 2011 19:06:31 GMT mrj said:

Jun 17, 2011 17:46:00 GMT dungbug said:

I seem to remember there being an aftermarket grille for MK2 golfs which were effectively a grille across he front and a motor which moved the louvres when the lights were put on, I' m sure someone will know the one I mean.

these were the "Orciari"-Grilles :

rare as hens teeth today, second hand ones sell for a couple of hundred Euros ....

there are some pics I can not hotlink, so just use google to see the clever design they made for opening the grille....

Have a look at this thread (includes video ):

retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=print&thread=72503

[Copey]

Jun 17, 2011 17:00:05 GMT bandit54 said:

Copey,s capri has light grills and bloody sweet they look too

seein as it was mentioned... ;D

[EmDee]

Jun 17, 2011 23:41:02 GMT Copey said:

pic of teh porno headlight grillage

[Copey]

hahaha, thanks mate