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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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