Example of Porsche Classic lacking knowledge on their own early cars ?

[911MRP]

I have previously posted factory period evidence here that Bosch H4 headlamps were introduced for 911 (excluding those sold in North America*) during March of 1972.

So why is this set from Porsche Classic showing set as applicable for 1965-71 911 when it contains H4 bulbs?

“… Set of bulbs and fuses (12 Volt); for use on Porsche 911 (1965 to 1971). The set comprises: 2x high beam/low beam light (H4 55/60W),”
Really? It would seem putting a few parts in some metal box with Porsche images and branding is what passes muster in the OEM’s own Classic division?

Attachment 615490


We have seen enough confusion about the form of the early H4 lens here about without Porsche AG Classic division themselves getting things wrong

Steve

* Never legal to use H4 in USA on road afaik?

[StephenAcworth]

Because they don't know that we know ... I find the level of knowledge amongst many of the Porsche employees I encounter in Canada is woeful ...

[LongRanger]

I realize how important/noteworthy/special/blah-blah-blah WE think Our Cars are . . .


. . . but they're all at least half-a-century-old, now


Given the important-ness/noteworthiness/special-ness/etc of what they build, today --- and how little money Our Cars must generate for them . . . I'm surprised Porsche even bothers

Doesn't that lack of accuracy/attention/expertise say something?


I mean --- look at who we are . . .


..............

[70SATMan]

Or is it because H4s basically became H1 replacements and that now, H1 and H4 lights are able to be run legally on our cars instead of being period outlaw?

Just speculating on a possible decision to market to a larger classic market rather than limit themselves to a rather large swath of our cars that would benefit from better lighting.

Of course they could refuse to sell them to the North American market because they were period illegal.

Sorry, I’m a Libra,,,,so shoot me.

[911MRP]

On one occasion I recall the main dealer parts counter staff member asking me what a 73 911 Carrera RS was when popped in to collect a part — this was standing at the parts counter at AFN Chiswick in London which at one time was the sister company of the sole British importer of Porsche.
I thought he was joking. He wasn’t!

From this outside the ( Archie) Fraser Nash factory that were the concessionaires ….

.. descending into today’s woeful knowledge-base … the companies may have grown and be profitable, but is it really progress?

Steve

[RSTarga]

certainly doing better than Frazer Nash

[911MRP]

Or is it because H4s basically became H1 replacements and that now, H1 and H4 lights are able to be run legally on our cars instead of being period outlaw?

Just speculating on a possible decision to market to a larger classic market rather than limit themselves to a rather large swath of our cars that would benefit from better lighting.

Of course they could refuse to sell them to the North American market because they were period illegal.

Sorry, I’m a Libra,,,,so shoot me.

My point is that what is written is incorrect.

Of course folks will change things on these “Mr Potato head” cars but the information printed regarding ( and on packaging of a part) sold by the OEM ought to be correct shouldn’t it? Would somone buying this based on the infomation be able to fit the pair of bulbs from a spares kit to the headlamps on their 65-71 911 on all geographies?

When did H4 become legal in USA? I don’t know as don’t live there or have a USA spec car but I have previously been told that while commonly used and a blind eye gets turned regarding use of H4 have never been legal in USA. Is what I was told incorrect or has it changed?

Steve

[911MRP]

certainly doing better than Frazer Nash

David, The Aldingtons owners of AFN saved BMW in Munich from being dismantled and the the assets all being shipped to USA after the end of WW2. I have loaned my copy of Jenk’s book with this fact and evidence to my pal but BMW probably wouldn’t exist today without the Aldingtons of AFN direct intervention to challenge ( countermand?) a Major in the US army’s order to do that. They were true automotive folks. Involved in many things such as Bristol Cars and this shows some of the marques of the mid-fifties:

Today, sadly, from such shakers and movers as the three Aldington brothers some of the people working at AFN today (and on this recent evidence some working in Classic at AG) don’t seem to have a clue.

Steve

[Troos]

Porsche Classic mainly just annoys me. They should have been the ones to buy Stoddard and then have the Stoddard people run Classic. They have a modicum of good parts but think nothing of supplanting perfectly good part with cheap reproductions.
They do not appear to know or care much about the history of these cars.
Tom

[jaudette3]

Here's information from Claude:

Halogen headlight bulbs, including H4 bulbs, have been legal in the United States since the 1970s. However, the specific timeline and regulations regarding their use have evolved over time.

In 1978, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) amended the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to allow the use of halogen headlamps on vehicles. This amendment, known as FMVSS No. 108, permitted the use of certain types of halogen bulbs, including H1, H2, and H3 bulbs.

The H4 bulb, which combines low and high beam filaments in a single bulb, was not initially included in this amendment. However, in 1983, the DOT further amended FMVSS No. 108 to allow the use of H4 bulbs in motorcycle headlamps. This change came into effect on January 1, 1984.

For automobiles, the use of H4 bulbs remained limited due to the sealed beam headlight design that was mandatory in the U.S. until 1984. In 1984, the DOT amended FMVSS No. 108 again to allow composite headlamps with replaceable bulbs, including H4 bulbs, on automobiles. This amendment came into effect on July 1, 1984.

Since then, H4 and other halogen bulbs have been legal for use in the United States, provided they meet the specific requirements set forth by the DOT in FMVSS No. 108. It's essential to ensure that any aftermarket bulbs installed in a vehicle are DOT-compliant to maintain compliance with federal regulations.