MV products headlights.....

[Allan31]

So with the apparent demise of MV headlights, what, if anything are we using these days for the big lights required for 70's Le Mans type cars? 

At LEAST this size...

They sure looked great when new but now the older builds have turned orange or brown......

[Ace-Garageguy]

If you have originals to pull simple molds from, it's easy to make copies from clear UV-inhibited casting resin.

https://www.smooth-on.com/product-line/crystal-clear/

[peteski]

Seems that MV Products used different resins over time (some of my older lenses are still clear, while others have yellowed).

Nice feature of those lenses was the realistic looking reflector.  Yes, you can cast clear lenses, but those will no have a reflector.

There is a company that makes nice looking headlights which consist of an etched stainless steel fluted base and a convex drop of resin over that. Those look pretty good. Of course I don't recall the name of that company.

Edited February 8, 2024 by peteski

[SfanGoch]

There's Geminimodelcars:

 

[Straightliner59]

I use a doming block to make reflectors. You can take it from there, for the lenses!?

[Straightliner59]

I should have mentioned that I use a disc cutter/hole punch to make the reflector, then use the doming block to form it. I have been digging through a box of clear parts for the lenses, but they could easily be filled with resin, to make a lens. I got the doming block at Harbor Freight. I use Maid-O-Metal tooling aluminum for the reflectors. 

[Allan31]

HA !....Doming block, perfect.

Thanks all, some wonderful suggestions.

A shame MV is no longer. I think I read somewhere the owner of MV was in the service and was deployed but did not return.

If others know more, would be interested to find out.

[peteski]

12 hours ago, Allan31 said:

A shame MV is no longer. I think I read somewhere the owner of MV was in the service and was deployed but did not return.

Yes, it is a shame.  I don't have any inside info, but judging by how long MV products were in business I suspect that the owner either retired or passed away.  I doubt very much that he was young enough to still be deployed to the military. More and more older cottage industries are shutting down, usually due to the age of the owner and the fact that nobody wants to take over the business.