SWB Headlamp restore questions

Attachment 299487Hi

I am in the process of stripping down and restoring a set of headlamps that came with the car (not fitted), and I am trying to work out if they are period correct or not, what is right, etc. So please feel free to comment and share your wisdom/expertise!

The outer lens is Hella with a raised script on the inside of the lens...

The inner units are Cibie H4's (which I'm guessing are not original.

The lights appear to have had some work done in terms of silver paint on the inside of the lamp holder.

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So, the questions I am asking are:

1 - Are these lamps period correct for my car: 1966 coupe?
2 - Are the Cibie's correct?
3 - Are the Cibie's still available: the PO dropped the other one and it has a great crack through the lens...
4 - Any recommendations for paint? So far I have stripped and primed the metal, but wondered what you have used for the inside metalwork and the silver...
5 - any other info you can supply: :)

More photos:

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Attachment 299492 There are two different types of clips holding the lamp together...

Attachment 299493 Cleaning the metal work...

Attachment 299494 Another question... are these little rubber fixtures still available?

Attachment 299495 Media blasted and primed, awaiting the correct colour paint...

Nobody??? Someone out there must have gone through this process?

Ask Bob Tilton, he had discovered years ago that 'stone gray' was a good match. Right about that time they discontinued the color, I got the last few cans, but since then I think he has come up with another color that he says is even better.

Stephen...

I have a Cibie H4. It doesn't have the exact same lettering as yours, but it's not cracked and in pretty good condition. You can have it if you want for the cost of shipping.

John

Thanks, Ed: have asked Bob...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by edmayo

Ask Bob Tilton, he had discovered years ago that 'stone gray' was a good match. Right about that time they discontinued the color, I got the last few cans, but since then I think he has come up with another color that he says is even better.

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Hi John

that would be very generous of you... I'll PM my address, so we can work the details out!

Cheers

Stephen

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jaudette3

Stephen...

I have a Cibie H4. It doesn't have the exact same lettering as yours, but it's not cracked and in pretty good condition. You can have it if you want for the cost of shipping.

John

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your lights are correct for a USA 66 911. The bucket paint is a dull grey-tan color.

The H4 bulb was introduced in 1971, so those CIBIE lights aren't really period correct. On the other hand, they'll actually let you see where you're going at night--I would choose H4s.

Particularly with H4s (but it's a good idea anyway) you should put some relays in your light circuits so that the heavy currents no longer go through your old and expensive headlight switch and high/low beam switches.

You should be able to get CIBIE 7" H4 headlights from Aardvark International http://www.talbotco.com/cibie_main_frameset.htm.

From my project several years ago with further details (paint codes, cleaning inside of lamps, etc) at http://werkcrew.com/?p=1562: