MatraSport Forum

Hi all

A month ago (or was it two) I promised to look in for an adaptor plate for fitting Golf II headlights for Murena.

Reason #1: The headlight from Golf is very cheap ~20 EUR pr pcs
Reason #2: No original new headlights exists.

The Golf headlight used is the left side only - to be honest, I dont know if there is any difference between right/left... ;)

I have the adaptors now, and have installed a set - see attached photos.
Krede and Davidewanprice was interested I remember. Please contact me on ruberg (a) info.dk

I have a few extra sets - price is 25 EUR + postage.
Sorry for the high price, the adaptor is made of stainless steel (304) 1.5 mm, and in design it can only be made on a laser cutter. (and to start up programs etc. has a certain price, not the plate it self.)
On the other side - a total of 65-70 EUR for a completely new headlight set for Murena cannot be found anywhere

The adaptor uses the existing mounting and brackets - no changes to this.

I have 17 pics in total.

/Henrik

More pics.....

Even more pics

More

Last pics

Excellent work, Henrik! Godt gået. Price seems fair to me as startup costs are understandible.

have you a dimensioned plan ?, because I have a bench of cutting (plasma) on my work place

Good work Henrik! ;D

I would like a set sometime but I am in no hurry as my murena is stripped out for a re-tim and I am re-building the rear trailing arms while it is off the road.

David

on the other hand, the headlights of origin for murena are always available (expensive but available)

Seems like people can't agree on this....  ;D

Nice work.

looks like a bloody new headlight pod!  :-)

I have found these pictures from my Golf-I conversion some 10 years ago:
 
  http://www.matrasport.dk/Cars/Murena/Guides/headlights/index.html

(Pictures, car and work of much lower quality than yours though)

/Lennart

Thanks !

It is completely renovated. All metal brackets has been off, and warm galvanized instead of elektro galvanizing.

Might be a silly question... but .... are Golf headlights any good?

mmm...the reflection layer will be 25 years newer.
2 new halo bulbs wil do a lot to.
And its grundlich designed.
I would say, a good modification for a few bucks.

Sorry, but that doesn't answer my question.  When I had a Rancho (mid 80's) the headlights were a lot better than my father-in-law's Mk1 Golf and both were fitted with halogen bulbs.

There is not a lot you can do with single round headlight but some are better than others.

Perhaps if I re-phrase my question it will be clearer.  As a cheaper alternative to the originals this is a great idea but has anyone who carried out this modification noticed any difference in performance (obviously taking into consideration any deterioration to the original reflectors)?

To my memory, they appeared slightly better then my aging Matra ones, but first of all, they could be fitted properly (as the mounting brackets and fittings in the old ones had crumbled away - which was my reason for replacing them in the first place)

They are also slightly more flat fronted than the originals, - which may/may-not suit you. Some like them rounded, others more flat. such is life. :)

/Lennart

I definitely prefer "headlights” that are not too flat!

Hans

I tend to agree, Hans - domed looks better than flat. The Wipac's I have actually are domed.

But my main concern would be simplicity of fitting and ease of finding spares - I think we should award Henrik a price for the best engineered solution to keeping Murena's on the road!

Quote Anders
-----------------
But my main concern would be simplicity of fitting and ease of finding spares.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yep, there are still a lot of Murena's that will fall to pieces, but if the sources of parts dry out, and the last dealers wil close there doors for Matra, it comes to inventive persons to keep things going.
I ordered the headlights on Ebay and the plates from HRU and gonna fit them.
The reflectors are still in specification, but not for long anymore.

Hey Anders  ;D
I am not sure that it is the murena headlights, Hans is refering to.........

But thanks for the nice words anyway.

/Henrik

DUH! It seems I missed a joke....... not first time! :D

Can I say I like "pushup headlights"!?? :D :D

Yes
Push up heads ligths that will be super :D

Hsnd

HRU you are a golden god!!..
Put me down for a set of adapters as well

Good work, I really want keep things original but i can see me getting some of these, they look great and it makes good sense..... Im gonna try to fix the originals but if i have no success i'll be in touch..

All the stuff to do the job is here.
It wil be fitted this summer when i am derusting the frontpart of the car.
Looks good and will be improvement over the old ones i think

(http://i29.tinypic.com/2627eqa.jpg)
Thanks hru

My i can see with my lights now !!!

Looks bright and clear to me.
Are you satisfied with it?

At the moment I am busy to do the rear lights.
The reflection layer is bad and I am barely noticed from behind.
I am experimenting with LED and Xenonbulbs to make it better.

ive now got leds on all of my lights and hids on the front

The problem I have with the LED bulbs is that the difference between normal light and normal  light with brakelight  is to low.
I am prepairing  my foglights in a way  they can work as extra brakelights.

Hello Henrik, Do you have any of the adapter left...? or is there any possibility of getting the CNC/data files for them....? seem one of my headlights were rusted through al the way and would by no means pass any MOT......

Regards Per Anders

Hi Anders,

Allow me to jump in on this, I bought (what I was told) the last set earlier this year...
If you're desperate (and can't get the CAD files of Henrik) you can have them and make a copy. They are just a spare set that I have just in case...

/Valdemar

Hi all

I only had a small series made, since there didn't seem high interest in the forum.
But sure, the adaptor plate is for free.
Well, at least the drawing is, so I attached it to this mail.

It is in dwg-format, not my usual working format but you should be able to use it for CNC-programming.

BR
Henrik

thanks

Is anybody interested in a set of these? I have contacted a shop here in norway for cutting these, seems like a reasonable price, startcost of 65euros for the order and about 20 euros in labour and materialcost. The startcost would of course be split among those interested.

Old lights are out now and new ones fitted.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xqShYpJRnyY/T2t9K2Z3oVI/AAAAAAAAB1I/P0iYi98oY_M/s800/visplusmedium.jpg)
Bulbs that provide extra light if we may believe it.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cL23L2bDcLk/T2t5wlRPxdI/AAAAAAAABxc/9dzlt3kJhCI/s800/lampomb1.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bDPDlCxJgIo/T2t55AKwOrI/AAAAAAAABx0/zUj9N7lR7n0/s800/lampomb2.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PggMFjpgiFA/T2t55-7u8II/AAAAAAAAByA/zPSL5efgh7Q/s800/lampomb3.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-itVaSk-U9Uc/T2t56Eqj3CI/AAAAAAAAByM/O1Hck7QZ2NI/s800/lampomb4.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j15aphJni24/T2t5600cyII/AAAAAAAAByQ/SulzVY6aPEg/s800/lampomb5.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RDbNwcceu8w/T2t58CPoSDI/AAAAAAAAByY/8TzNyFU0Slw/s800/lampomb6.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mP9H-XMw3n0/T2t58RFb_jI/AAAAAAAAByc/RJccCtWHyfY/s800/lampomb7.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-geUbIcBwN-0/T2t59ETepHI/AAAAAAAABys/0IXCUcJB_Ls/s800/lampomb8.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MXPkul1O9lg/T2t6H45pU_I/AAAAAAAABzQ/dqOIJ1PiDcI/s800/lampomb9.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rS6fsOU4WVo/T2t6JelxpPI/AAAAAAAABzs/X5A1ywBSCwA/s800/lampombA.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oOI4XOZ4kPg/T2t6Jib_NWI/AAAAAAAABzc/HxFmNJbLDBg/s800/lampombB.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YR73mR0766k/T2t6KYm_08I/AAAAAAAABzk/UXaJcxo0as8/s800/lampombD.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GfXdgbDCXsU/T2t6G2xTQWI/AAAAAAAABzE/vJHFjSWQiIU/s800/LampombC.jpg)

Project done.

They provide good light.
This are immitation wich cost around €12.- a piece.
If you buy Hella it comes about €40 a piece.
The original Duceliers are stil for sale around €135 a piece.
Not a difficult choice for me.

Hello Lads. I have just come across this subject.  i do not need this conversion yet but what interests me are the golf mk 2 headlights.My nineteen year old son is restoring a mk 2 nd while stripping the car broke or lost the plastic adjustment pieces that fit the three holes in the mk 2 headlamps. In the images shown in this forum subject these items do not appear to be used with the adaptor plates. Does any body who done this conversion have these attachments  or does anyone know where these parts might be sourced.I have spent hours searching the net to no avail .Heres hoping TOG.

Oetker, your headlight fittings seems to be new.
Where did you buy them?
 

I was suprised to when mounting my headlights.
I bought the car in 2007 and probably it was done before that time.
I'm not sure but I think this was also mounted at Simca 1100.
I am also looking for this mountings with the special bolts, but sofar I didnt found them.

They are available at Carjoy and Simon also has them in the webshop catalog but quite expensive. About 10-12 Euro each. A complete set is more than 120 Euro!
I thought you might have a cheaper source...

My plastic slippers used on the headlights are savable (and fortunately I also have some spares), but the bolts are rusted. I think those could be remanufactured by a good turner made of stainless steel for eternity. :)

Yes, but the plastic is the weak point.
If needed I can think of something to put there myself.
Not original of course, but I don't care much about that.
The time this car gets some value I am on the wrong side of the grass.
Beside that, I like to drive it and not to polish it all the time.

I have a cracked VW Golf headlight.  You are welcome to the fittings from it  if they are of any use to you.

If anyone has an original Murena headlight in bad shape beside the dustbin, before throwing it away, please remove this part and send me a PM. I need that....
Thanks.

Still needed ?
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BVIgAcmSdic/T4g8zaTSy3I/AAAAAAAAD3g/ZsmOA-2zZEw/s800/P1030955.JPG)

Yes sir.

OK,
Send me a pm with your adres
I see what I can do.

OK.
Thanks in advance, I sent you a PM.

Are you doing a spring-cleaning in the garage?  ;)

Haha yes
So much small stuff laying around here but can't trough away anything Matra related.
The most stupid things sometimes comes in handy.
I keep you posted about the shipment.
The part is for free.

Greets herman

Thank you very much.

I have the Matra since June and I have small bits even in the living room. My girlfriend is not so happy about it... :)

Hi Herman,
I have got the package. Thank you so much.

Now I am busy with the replacement of the plastic mountings. I have found some quite good alternative parts. When I finished it I will post some photos.

Sorry to bring up such an old topic again guys!

However, my car has to go to MOT this month and the headlights are just appaling. The glass is completely dull and because it is actually very good quality old glass instead of the cheap plastic you get nowadays as a headlight, buffing them up to shine just does not work. (especially because it is also the inside)

(https://scontent.fosl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/74601166_1787214501411206_5102182987416469504_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQkwz-T126SqfwZcBhXrWtQtM9564U12KfjFlEDFKthOau206gdTQVDAqSvfNe-xIX0&_nc_ht=scontent.fosl1-1.fna&oh=aa979a6feeffe7afa69a4212b1f96e3a&oe=5E50D9CD)

So after I checked for the price of a new set of NOS Murena headlights I decided to get a pair of Golf II headlamps. I just figured that since I am not planning on ever installing the original ones again and the plastic adjustment thingies are all too flumsy after 35 years why not just use the complete Golf bracket that comes with the lights?

So I measured a bit and it seems to be possible.

(https://scontent.fosl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/74273898_1787214661411190_2330615929605455872_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQnebAyAR_Cn_db49kJ1omg8bJx3t4RU7RYWnzUHn8mSgA1bidRqZBsB-KxvAUPaQ2Q&_nc_ht=scontent.fosl1-1.fna&oh=c5cd7a7fb48ebbe81f616f77b177797a&oe=5E586CE7)

Of course this means some cutting in the original lights. But as I said I am not planning on installing the old ones again so it does not matter to me. After some measuring and (a bit too much) cutting the lights came to fit! And the result is satisfactory. They stand a bit more forward than original, but that means they fill the hole in tha plastic really nicely. For me it is good enough.

(https://scontent.fosl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/75442961_1787214778077845_6673317101291175936_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQnJygYA5BYBatESrxh0ApMf5i4rQ_X0dFPX7gmSTj6tG84V95FQwleOVX-t-WPrA-I&_nc_ht=scontent.fosl1-1.fna&oh=b8795fc130e4b60efa9e7c2e5beb67e3&oe=5E5A857B)

And the ones I bought came with a surpirise I did not pay attention too whilst ordering..... Angel eyes!

(https://scontent.fosl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/73409241_1787214874744502_7579097065175646208_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQlbnNfVmHDASBtYI2bPnYPjT467wSTzXvsQ6cxL5jfOpCJ9gETNengLTLOV_ep4RP4&_nc_ht=scontent.fosl1-1.fna&oh=7fcca0cf69b55756646189b1718b63a3&oe=5E18CD34)

(https://scontent.fosl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/73370702_1787214931411163_5873915020538019840_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQml7_vyPSKq1MGoB0nTLAj4lIqEGmdHnnKvvvNBDLkMuqaT7oxJ5eoehrSoExDs1Yc&_nc_ht=scontent.fosl1-1.fna&oh=2c6b8525d7f29f179099a2f4b50fe841&oe=5E17E76F)

So if anyone was wondering.... it is possible to replace the Murena headlights with Golf II headlights and use the Golf bracket with adjustment screws to replace the Murena ones. It requires a lot of measuring and a bit of cutting, but they are cheap and give good light.

Quote.
especially because it is also the inside.
==========================

Fill them with fine bird-sand and shake it for a while and you get a nice shine inside.
Ofcoarse rust wil not be deleted by that.

I think these were too far gone to polish with birdsand. Would probably loose all the chrome on the inside before the glass starts to shine.  :D