Twin Peaks

[jagnut66]

Or: The Return of the Dome.

But before I get accused of plagiarism or lowering the tone on here I better explain.................

For some time now I have been contemplating my headlamps (but I will keep taking the tablets!), or more to the point the look of them. When I first bought Abby she had sealed beams fitted, needless to say one didn't work properly and even if it had, judging by the one that did, I'd have had more forward vision by strapping someone to the bonnet holding a couple of candles!

So looked into halogen conversions, which led me to mini headlamps, the same size, readily available on eBay and cheap!

But they were flat. And looked exactly what they were for it, a modern upgrade. Not that I find anything wrong with this but they lacked the character (in appearance), to my mind, of the domed units they replaced.

Then the solution seemed to present itself in the form of headlamp peaks. Now I like the look of peaked headlamps but I still hankered after the original domed look. At that time though there didn't seem to be any alternative, not if I wanted the benefit that having halogen headlamps offered.

And so the years have passed and I still liked the look of the peaks but I found myself looking round at shows, coveting the original domed look of others........ (ooooh errrrrr, missus!! )

The problem has become more pressing over the years, as noticing the heated discussions that headlamp peaks provoke and whilst stubbornly hanging onto mine, I had no wish to decapitate or impale someone (far too messy and think of all the paperwork) even though I think the world population is growing faster than this planet can cope.
(There must be a more humane way to reduce overpopulation than impaling them on the front of classic cars!)

Right, back to the subject, before I cause an even more heated debate than headlamp peaks!

Thanks to information, provided by others on this site, I have discovered Wipac halogen headlamps!
And so, feeling as chuffed as 'Lilly the Pink' must have done when she invented 'Medicinal Compound', (showing my age here, though I'm sure some kind soul will explain to those who missed out who 'Lilly the Pink' was.....), I purchased a pair, as soon as I found some for an acceptable (to me) price on eBay......

And now I have a new look (No, not a straight jacket!!)....
[frame][/frame]
Before: feeling peaky but a little flat underneath......

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After: The Return of the Dome.....

All of this of course will also save me from BMC's anti-peak hit squad..........

............... but for anyone wanting a pair of peaks, I shall be leaving them by my car at the National (providing she makes it this year - engine troubles of the expensive kind - another story...), free to anyone who wants to be controversial.....

Best wishes,
Mike.

[Coalmossian]

Mike, you have obviously spent a great deal of time worrying about your headlamps, and have clearly been affected by the negative comments of certain prolific "posters" on here!
The saloon I acquired just before Christmas has the same flatter lights that you mention and, while not really appreciating what they represented, I rather liked the look of them without appreciating what they were! Must look at them more closely tomorrow.
I rather like the headlamp peaks and may well fit a pair of them too. Sorry Roy, but each to their own, and to me there are far more heinous crimes than putting the odd accessory onto the car. And I hardly think I'll bisect anyone!

[POMMReg]

Put them about 5ft away from your motor as I may vomit over
the wretched things!!

[Coalmossian]

POMMreg, do you feel as strongly about sun visors! Anything else we should be aware of that we should avoid? How about a nice tartan rug? Or maybe a picnic set? Or what about those Perspex wind deflectors to fit to the front windows? Badge bars?

[bmcecosse]

My grouse about the silly peaks (apart from the fact that they look naff) is that they are sharp edged and can easily inflict a nasty cut on anyone who happens to brush against them - never mind the damage they will cause if someone is actually hit by the moving car!! Someone on here recently had just such a nasty hand cut I believe??
Surely you can all see that? The Minor looks SO much nicer with the plain factory front , and no trashy 'accessories' ......

[POMMReg]

Even driving at night in a new car, it's a matter of keeping to the left of the
lights of oncoming vehicles and hoping for the best!

Something that isn't mentioned in the Highway Code!

[jagnut66]

Mike, you have obviously spent a great deal of time worrying about your headlamps, and have clearly been affected by the negative comments of certain prolific "posters" on here!

Whilst I was bothered by comments about peaks on here, mine have been place since a few months after I bought the Moggy and replaced the dysfunctional sealed beam units with Halogens, which is seven years ago.

I mainly wanted to go back to the original look but still keep the advantage that Halogen headlamps offer.

[moggiethouable]

Heres a thought.
Having removed them drill a hole either side of said peak and fit some square elastic, (the stuff we used as kids for excellent catapults) around a foot long and use the peaks as an upmarket trendy sunshade for the head, like those rather natty golfers do.
Then if you want a splash of originality add a Morris sticker.
I think I may have a pair in the garage, a little job for the weekend.

[katy]

My grouse about the silly peaks (apart from the fact that they look naff) is that they are sharp edged and can easily inflict a nasty cut on anyone who happens to brush against them - never mind the damage they will cause if someone is actually hit by the moving car!! Someone on here recently had just such a nasty hand cut I believe??

Would that be the modern reproductions? The ones I remember from years ago had a double folded edge on them, so no sharp edges.

[MorrisMinor-65-1000]

Fantastic post, jagnut. I thoroughly enjoyed reading that! Very humourous.

I too worry a lot about headlamp dome. I recently replaced the 5.75" sealed beams on my 2000 with cheapo Autopal open beam lights with halogen bulbs. I drive the car every day and it was winter at the time, and I've never been satisfied with the output of the old sealed beams, so it was a necessary upgrade as far as I was concerned. I'm very happy with the improved light output, but the shape and overall look of the front of the car is altered in a way that I don't like. They're not quite as flat as some aftermarket lights (most notably Hella), but lack the full bulge (oo er!) of the old sealed beams. I have since discovered suitable Cibies which, whilst not cheap, are much better quality lenses AND fully domed! So I shall probably part with some cash for them before next winter.

As regards the Minor, I agree that domed types look best, as the extreme bulge is almost a styling feature of the car in my eyes - continuing the line of the headlamp pods a little.

Whilst not original, I will probably fit Lucas P700's to my 1000 when it's finished. You just can't beat that three-pointed segmenting in the lens!

Have to agree with others about peaks I'm afraid. They don't offend me, but I can't imagine fitting them to mine.

[bmcecosse]

I had the P700s on my rally Minor many moons ago. They do look good - but not inexpensive these days. I see both types of peaks at car shows....even the folded type will inflict a terrible injury in car v pedestrian/bicyclist clash...... and both types look equally naff anyway! And I agree about your 5.75" lights - a chap in our village has an extremely nice RS2000 - somewhat spoiled by the 'wrong' lights.....

[whyperion]

Someone over on youtube (USA) found that it is possible (with time care and eye/hand protection ) to grind (? diamond) the domes off old sealed beam units and glue onto flat front halogens.

[bmcecosse]

Someone clearly with far too much time on their hands.....