So, as you know, I performed a headlight conversion some time ago, installing the four round headlights into my post-'86 Volvo and then upgrading the installation with ECE codes.

Many of you guys have embarked on similar quests to improve the lighting in the post-1986 US-spec cars, and those of you who have done custom modifications have always had to be creative in making the headlights look good. There's no drop-in solution for filling the space surrounding the ECE code headlights.

Well, I solved this problem by modifying the original headlight surrounds for the quad headlights. Initially, I left them with their original colors, a chrome-like stripe around the border. A few months later, I decided to spraypaint them matte black. For about a year, that's how they've been, but I've never quite been satisfied with them. A few weeks ago, I finally forced myself to find a can spray paint and spend an afternoon painting them blue, in hopes of matching the paintjob. Here's how it came out:


Now with blue surrounds!

(The car got a good washing last Saturday, and I couldn't resist taking it out for a photo session to showcase both the new headlight look and the wonderfully clean Coronas!)

I had originally considered getting a professional shop to do it, but this route is a lot more cost-effective. It was about $15 for a can of primer, blue paint, and gloss. I exhausted the latter two during the spraying.

I'm still not satisfied. The car looks good like this (I've already got one complement from another 240 owner), but it's still not perfectly stock-looking. It needs a chrome strip across the top of the surrounds--matching perfectly with the chrome on the corner signals. I guess I'll look into some sort of stick-on chrome or something that could work in the limited space I have.

Anyway, I figured you guys might like to take a look at the updated pictures of my car. If you're anything like me, photos of a custom 240 are always worth the time to view them!
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'89 244 GL -- 122,200 miles (see profile for info on car)