SWB 1965-1968
Hella 128 Fog Lights
Porsche used the iconic Hella 128 fog lights (Part # PCG 631 201 10, Supersedes 644 631 201 03) for a long time, starting with the 1960 356B and continuing on through the 356C and the SWB 911's from 1965 through 1968. Current ones use an H3 halogen bulb and are available with either amber or clear lenses. Porsche designed for these fog lights with brackets and wiring in place at time of sale. They mount under the bumper using top mounts.
For the model year 1968, A-series beginning autumn 1967 a version of the Hella 128 was introduced that used H1 bulbs (not available in the USA of course). There were two versions, one with the clear reflector, and one with the yellow reflector, which was delivered wherever the yellow fog light was allowed like Italy, France and Germany.
Hella 128's with H1 bulbs
For Fellow Anoraks
The under the bumper Hella 128 were standard for early 911's up to 1967 and that year 911S's were equipped with them. Up until the end of the longhood run following 1973 the wiring from the fuse box (which was not connected) to the front of the car was present for fog lights. The wires were wrapped around the fender support tube. However, there was no wiring from the fuse box to the dash switch (or relay) was not included. The LWB cars did include a factory harness for the switch, relay and fuse box connection
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LWB 1969-1973
Hella 139/169 Fog Lights
Porsche switched to the Hella 139 (901.631.205.01) fog lights with the introduction of the LWB 911 in 1969. Unlike the previous 128's, these had mounts on the back. Once again Porsche had mounting brackets and wiring in place when the car was sold. These can be somewhat difficult to find at times but AC usually has them in inventory. Replacement lenses do not appear to be available other than attached to the reflectors - if you can find them.
Various Mounting Configurations
Be careful when shopping for these as one model of the Hella 139 is equipped with top/bottom mounts, intended for Mercedes and Lamborghini, and for some reason there are vendors incorrectly selling them as Porsche parts. Also, there are at least two versions with center mounts. One is slightly off-center, the other perfectly centered. They both work on LWB 911's but ideally you want the one that is centered as it allows for more adjustment.
Hella 118 Through-the-Grille Driving Lights
These were introduced in 1968, right on the cusp of Porsche moving from the SWB to the LWB. They were (and still are) a very popular option on the two longhoods. They cleverly mount through special horn grilles with openings cut out of the grilles. Porsche provided threaded holes on the interior for the mounting of the brackets. A number of lamps were used in addition to Hella 118's. Most of them used H3 halogen bulbs with the exception of Italy H1 bulbs were used.
The original fog and driving lights were made by Hella (and still are) but there are also many made by other manufacturers. For example, Cibié currently makes a version that uses H1 bulbs rather than H3 bulbs, similar to the Italian version. For those who don't require absolute correctness they offer improved performance over the assemblies with H3 bulbs, especially today as technological improvement has been great with H1 bulbs while H3 bulbs haven't progressed much.
Mounting
SWB Mounts ------------------------------------------ LWB Mounts
Mounting brackets are different for SWB and LWB cars. SWB brackets can be difficult to find as they were seldom re-manufactured (and therefore expensive) but LWB brackets are widely available. Bolts specified are are hex head M6 x 12 DIN - you might try using M6 x 25 DIN to make things easier (if they don't bottom out).
Lenses
Correct Hella lenses, for both driving lights and fog lights, are currently available.
[B]Anoraks Only - Under The Bumper 118 Lights[/B
The 118's were used in another way. They were optional in 1973 only on cars fitted with 911S or Carrera front bumpers (options M458 for clear and M459 for amber) and available only as driving lights.
I learned about this little anomaly from Dr. Brett Johnson, a friend and the author of the outstanding book, "The 911 and 912 Porsche: Restorer’s Guide to Authenticity II" which covers the longhood era of Porsches spanning 1965-1973 in great detail. Brett has written a number of books about various Porsche models and is a great authority due to his meticulous research.[/I]
-- Reached Picture Limit - Continued in the next post --
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