jimlab

I'm looking into having an OEM-style sleek light replacement kit fabricated with sealed pods (to eliminate moisture and fogging as a concern), bulbs which can easily be replaced with an HID conversion kit for those interested, easy mounting and an OEM-style appearance, and acrylic or glass covers to resist scratching and hazing.

I've got a designer working on a "look" for the RX-7, and I'll probably post pictures here for voting when they're ready to see what people are interested in, generally. He is also my contact with someone who can blow mold the glass covers, etc. and has done custom designed parts for other cars in the past, including one-off tail lights and headlights for show circuit cars.

The cost could be quite high, and although I might end up forking out the money just to have a set I'm happy with (I've discarded the RE Amemiya kit, the C-West kit, and now an East Bear kit) it would be more interesting and financially feasible to make a group purchase of it and pool our resources to get the kits made and then get everyone a kit at a reasonable price.

I'm shooting for $750 as a nice price, since the less than pleasing and certainly not DOT legal East Bear kit is around $600 and the C-West kit and RE kit are both over $1,000 by a substantial margin. $750 is about what you'd pay for a couple new Supra headlights, or for a pair of Audi S4 European headlights (Xenon bulbs not included), so I think that's fair, especially if the quality and look is far higher than any of the other kits I've mentioned.

Anyone interested in getting in on this? I'm not asking for money at this point, just statement of intent to buy. I know that several of you are very interested and have been waiting for me to pull something like this together.

I'll be talking to the designer again this week, and I'm analyzing some different OEM lights to see if there are readily available parts that could be cannibalized for the kit, as mentioned in the RE vs. C-West vs. East Bear thread.

Thanks.

jimlab

Only $529 each!

jimlab

Here is the list of design criteria that I'm working from:

1. Must use stock mounting points and not require modification
2. Must be easy to install and remove
3. For bulb replacement, bulbs sockets must be accessible, or see #2
4. Must have OEM-style fit and finish
5. Must use bulbs for which there are readily available HID conversion kits
6. Must plug into the stock wiring harness without modification

Light weight is a bonus, of course. It'll probably weigh less than any of the other sleek light kits available if done right.

jimlab

Look, it's a baby Supra...

jimlab

And one more... with a little more detail...

jimlab

Another shot of the NSX... (big-un)

JoeD

i was just looking at some McLeran F1 pics. the lights look kinda interesting. take a look:

JoeD

sorry for you dial-up guys.

here are some more:

jimlab

I've been in touch with a company in Ohio who does mass manufacturing of headlights for Ford, among other manufacturers and they *can* reproduce any design we come up with in bulk.

Second, that means that a prototype will need to be made first by a company I've been in touch with in New Jersey. What that means is that you'll get to see a finished (or nearly finished) version of the light prior to deciding if you're in or not.

If at that point there isn't enough interest in going forward, the prototype becomes my one-off design, and we're all happy. If we do go forward with bulk production, a deposit or payment would be taken up front and we'll mass produce the lights for everyone.

Sound like a plan?

efiniste

Check out the lights in this link http://www.ksp-eng.co.jp/ATTAIN/menu1/1.html
It's the top 2 pics. Very OEM looking headlight covers, although IMHO the lights themselves are disgusting!
Something along these lines? Obviously with a different light design.
Also, these lights need to be adjustable to a RHD beam pattern for me to be in. They're not much use to me without that!

jimlab

That kit appears to be a modified RE Amemiya kit (the headlight cover, at any rate) with lighting that's a close copy of the Breathless kit for the Corvette...



RX-7...

Jason

iTrader: (5)

Jim,
I would be willing to put some money in up front to help this along. Let me know if it would help.

Jason

kelrx7r1

THOSE LIGHTS ARE ONLY $434.00 DOLLARS IN JAPAN

martini

Those are cool, but will require some trimming of the front bumper..

jimlab

John, after such a gross violation of my sense of aesthetics, I think I'm going to have to reconsider selling you the T56...

BTW, that light kit requires the bumper, and that has to be the most hideous bumper I've ever seen.

jimlab

And purely for amusement value...

jimlab

Another view of the new 2002 NSX design...

legendr35

nsx headlight conversion:

jimlab

Absolutely no way of knowing. We don't have material costs, manufacturing costs, or even a design yet. I know most of you don't understand how manufacturing works, but please... we're talking ideas on paper at the moment. It'll take awhile.

I don't have any other details yet concerning pricing or time frame, or obviously I'd be sharing them with you.

No, but you're more than welcome to rice them on your own time...

Johnny

Damn dudes...do you even read the freaken posts or just shot you mouths off...

he said they are no designs just yet ! Just kicking ideas around...**** ppl ..
80% + of you are going to drop by the wasteside anyways...

So dont rush the process...

jimlab

That was funny.

True enough, we're in the design phase, and more accurately, we're in the "what if" sketching on napkins phase. There will be full color renderings of the RX-7 with the light kit when all is said and done, and I think my cousin's skill speaks for itself.

We are also in the "secure manufacturing" phase, and that involves evaluating different methods and companies. It is entirely possible that we won't go with either of the two companies I've got lined up right now, although that's probably unlikely. They're both very, very qualified to build what we're asking for.

I've even lined up someone locally who can build a replica from hand and machine shaped steel to use as a buck for the mold, once we have a design selected, should that become necessary.

Unfortunately these things take time, as anyone who has ever had something custom built for them and not just purchased it off a shelf realizes. Have a little patience, but keep the creativity coming.

jimlab

For those who didn't bother to follow the links to the renderings page on the Ida Automotive site, or just like to look at pretty pictures, here are a few of my cousin's designs...

jimlab

One more to consider... picture only the outer two projectors per side.





Is it just me, or does this car remind you of a brown and white 50's saddle shoe? In a good way, though...

alaskan7

jimlab

Is it just me or does this remind you of MAD Magazine's Spy vs. Spy...