Content creator and car enthusiast Garrett Reed brought his 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in for a lighting upgrade using the brand-new Holley RetroBright LED headlights. Designed specifically for classic vehicles, these headlights modernize visibility while preserving period-correct style.
Classic cars rely on sealed beam headlights, but most replacements fall short in both build quality and performance. Fortunately, Holley and Morimoto partnered to change that. Together, they developed a modern sealed beam solution that looks right at home on vintage vehicles while delivering dramatically improved output.
Garrett Reed and His Monte Carlo
With over 2.2 million Instagram followers, Reed has built a strong presence in the automotive world. In 2017, Holley approached him about a potential project. At the time, however, he didn’t own a Monte Carlo. Instead of walking away, Reed took on the challenge of finding one.
After talking with a friend in Las Vegas, the two tracked down a 1984 Monte Carlo. Aside from a previous 350 swap, the car remained largely stock. Since then, Reed has transformed it into a highly personalized build.
Nearly every component reflects his vision. The car now features an electronic dashboard, a roll cage, a custom sound system, Detroit Speed suspension, and Wilwood brakes. Inside and out, Reed touched almost every bolt.
Powertrain and Performance
Under the hood, the original small block gave way to a Chevy Performance supercharged LSX crate motor topped with an exposed Whipple. To support the LS swap, Reed used Holley components throughout the build. These include the serpentine system, engine mounts, transmission mounts, radiator, and supporting hardware.
Although Reed hasn’t put the car on a dyno yet, he estimates output at roughly 600 horsepower to the wheels.
Custom Interior Details
Inside the cabin, Reed replaced the stock seats with TMI Viper Junior seats. These seats balance comfort and support, pairing leather padding with aggressive bolstering.
“These are Race Quip harnesses,” Reed explained. “Right now, I’m only running lap belts since I don’t have a cage yet. Eventually, I want to add a B-hoop behind the rear seats.”
A Sparco steering wheel with a quick-release hub sits in front of a 12.3-inch digital display from Holley, integrated into the factory dashboard.
“I was one of the first people to get it,” Reed said. “When I saw it at SEMA, I knew it had to go in the car. We made it happen, and it looks incredible.”
In addition, a 10-inch Stinger head unit manages audio and will eventually control the A/C system.
Lighting and Interior Ambience
Reed didn’t stop with performance and displays. To enhance the interior atmosphere, he installed a set of Profile Performance LED light strips. These accent the door cards and rear subwoofer enclosure, adding subtle RGB glow without overpowering the cabin.
The Holley RetroBright LED Headlights
The Holley RetroBrights come in 3000K warm white and 5700K bright white options. Holley designed them to outperform traditional sealed beams while fitting shallow classic housings.
To cover common classic applications, Holley offers:
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7-inch round
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5¾-inch round
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Rectangular 4×6’’ sealed beam
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5×7-inch housings
On his Monte Carlo, Reed runs the 4×6-inch sealed beams with an adapter harness. This setup allows all four headlights to function as both low and high beams.
If he ever wants a different look, Reed can swap the internal LED cartridge to change color temperature.
Better Visibility Without Losing Style
Compared to stock or budget sealed beams, the RetroBrights deliver noticeably more light. They also produce a wider and more controlled beam pattern in both low and high modes. Since classic cars often struggle with night visibility, this upgrade makes a dramatic difference without compromising aesthetics.
To learn more about Garrett Reed and his 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, check out Morimoto’s video interview with him below. If you’re interested in the RetroBrights themselves, you can purchase them directly or through your preferred automotive parts retailer.
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Meet the people behind Better Automotive Lighting
John Tobias, Headlight Junkie and Industry Veteran
Before managing pricing and product categories for the DLG brands, John worked directly with customers in customer service and tech support, then spent several years in marketing creating content like this and the videos published online. Today he takes more than ten years of aftermarket automotive lighting experience to events all over the USA, meeting customers and talking to real people about what they care about. He is focused on understanding the market, the trends, the big players, and what matters to lighting enthusiasts. John has tested thousands of lights, works directly with lighting engineers to evaluate the technical performance behind every recommendation, and is one of the foremost experts on everything happening in the world of aftermarket automotive lighting. LinkedIn
