Cerbera quad headlamp conversion

Converting an early TVR Cerbera from its original single 7-inch headlamp per side to a quad 90mm arrangement is one of the most visually distinctive — and controversial — mods you can do to the car.

What changes

• Original: two large round 7-inch lamps, one per side, under a clear plastic cover that was famously prone to going cloudy, cracking, and trapping moisture.
• Modified: four smaller round 90mm lamps total (two per side), no cover, exposed in faired pods.

Why TVR fans split on this

It’s a love-or-hate mod within the community.

• In favour: the cover on the original setup is widely disliked — it ages badly, the original 7-inch units are dim by modern standards, and the quad look matches the later Speed Six factory styling.
• Against: the single 7-inch is the original 1996 design intent and considered part of the Cerbera’s identity by many purists.

It’s worth understanding both sides before committing — once the holes are cut into the wings, you’re not putting it back without major glass work.

Options for doing it

1. 3D printed bezels — designing your own 90mm housings to 3D print, then mount in the original wing structure. Difficult to get the angles right; multiple iterations usually required. Most people who try this give up after several attempts.
2. Aftermarket fibreglass kit — pre-moulded fibreglass pods that bond into the wings. Available from a small number of TVR specialists; quality varies (some kits show crazing carried over from the moulds).
3. Donor parts from a Speed Six — using factory Cerbera Speed Six wing sections. Rare and expensive.

Notes on the kit option

• The kit usually comes with three holes per side: two main lamp positions plus a smaller (around 30mm) third hole, originally intended for a spot lamp or indicator on the Speed Six.
• You can fill the third hole if you don’t want it. Many people do, going for a cleaner two-lamp look.
• The kit is bonded in with fibreglass and resin, then filled and faired to match the wing’s existing contour.
• Mount brackets for the actual lamps are usually NOT included — you’ll need to fabricate or 3D-print these.
• Be ready for the kit fitment to be imperfect — clamps, screws, and patience to pull each side into the right curvature are essential.

The video walkthrough

The current Cerbera build covered the full conversion in PT8 — Quad Headlamp Conversion (Love Or Hate?) — including a section on the failed 3D-printed bezel attempts that preceded the kit purchase.

Watch PT8 in the Cerbera restoration playlist.