Interior Lighting Suggestions

[James OLC]

Well, in all the planning that has gone into the car in general, we started playing with the 'glass headliner today and came to realize that I haven't given any thought to interior lighting... I hope someone here will be able to at least point me in the right direction with some ideas for sail panel lights.

Everywhere that I seem to look doesn't seem to have the high-tech or muscle car feel.

Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[ProTouring442]

Originally Posted by reboot04

Well, in all the planning that has gone into the car in general, we started playing with the 'glass headliner today and came to realize that I haven't given any thought to interior lighting... I hope someone here will be able to at least point me in the right direction with some ideas for sail panel lights.

Everywhere that I seem to look doesn't seem to have the high-tech or muscle car feel.

Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I've been looking into this sort of thing myself, and have settled on a few different ideas.

For the lights on the sides of my console, I am using 1968 Olds Cutlass marker lights. Nice stainless surround with a white lens.

My door will have "entry" lights that go in the door panel, but aren't seen as they are on the bottom of the panel.

I was also thinking of adding rear floor lights by attaching some under the front seats, angled to light the rear floor.

As for door "safety" lights, a red light so oncoming traffic can see the open door, I will be molding in 1969 Olds Cutlass rear marker lights as they feature the "Rocket."

Lastly, Billet Specialties makes some nice billet interior lights. I won't be using any of these as I am trying to avoid billet in the interior.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[XcYZ]

Do any of the OEM's have a decent looking rear view mirror with built in map lights?

[Payton King]

had rear sail panel lights. It is your standard round light, but it would match a stock dome light.

May not be tricky enough for your ride!

[ProTouring442]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

Do any of the OEM's have a decent looking rear view mirror with built in map lights?

Only if you call a black plastic housing "decent looking."

Although, you could take the mirror apart, smooth the housing, then paint it a nice aluminum, titanium, or charcoal color. Hmm... maybe that's what I'll do with mine, now that I think of it...

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[bigtyme1]

Originally Posted by ProTouring442

Only if you call a black plastic housing "decent looking."

Although, you could take the mirror apart, smooth the housing, then paint it a nice aluminum, titanium, or charcoal color. Hmm... maybe that's what I'll do with mine, now that I think of it...

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

Bill, you have the original Cutlass mirror with the map light correct? Does it mount to the glass or the windshield frame?

[Rhino]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

Do any of the OEM's have a decent looking rear view mirror with built in map lights?

I'm using a 4th Gen F-body light. It was difficult to find one with good map lights but no other features (Compass, onstar, time/temp, etc...)

[NOT A TA]

I eliminated the dome light in my Firebird for a cleaner look when I put in a new headliner. Regretted it ever since! Looks great but can't see squat! Even brighter under dash lights didn't help much. Have to keep a penlight in the console.

My Wildcat has sail panel lights instead of a dome, also usless!

[ProTouring442]

Originally Posted by bigtyme1

Bill, you have the original Cutlass mirror with the map light correct? Does it mount to the glass or the windshield frame?

The original mounts to the windshield frame, but I think I'm going to use a more modern unit and simply paint it.


Shiny Side Up!
Bill