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Thread: SWB Headlights: A Brief Summary

  1. #1
    Lighting Specialist jaudette3's Avatar
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    SWB Headlights: A Brief Summary

    We've discussed this at length before but I thought it might be helpful to provide the basic information in a concise format, hence this brief summary of the various headlights available during the SWB production years of 1965-1968.

    All of these work on all of the cars but they weren't all "correct" as some had not been introduced when the cars were manufactured. Bosch H4's are a good example. They are commonly found on SWB cars but, as they were first introduced in the early 70's, they weren't available when the cars were produced and are not therefore correct. Which matters to some folks, not to others. This short guide will identify which headlamps were correct for which years.

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    Note: H1's were standard on 1968 S models beginning with 1180026 (Coupe) and 11850065 (Targa) and a factory option on other ROW models.


    "U.S." Hella Sealed Beam
    Sealed beams were mandated in the U.S. and these were the headlights used on all U.S. delivery cars until 1968.

    • Hella bucket, single drain hole
    • Hella SB19 SB20 SB21 clear lens
    • Dual filament sealed beam
    • Two adjustment screws, 1:00 and 7:00


    Bosch H1
    The dual reflector, dual bulb configuration was developed as a clever way to use halogen bulbs in headlights. At first only single filament halogen bulbs were available and so it was not possible to use them for headlights as they could handle only a low or high beam. H1's, with their dual reflectors made it possible to use two single filament bulbs, one for low beam and one for high beam.

    • Bosch bucket - Essentially the same bucket used for the earlier Euro headlights, three drain holes
    • Bosch lenses - Asymmetric, fluted with ridged clear tops
    • Dual reflectors - one large reflector for low beam and one smaller wedge shaped reflector for high beam, adjustable separately
    • Two halogen single filament bulbs, one for each reflector
    • Four adjustment screws - one of the quickest ways to identify an H1


    "Euro" Bosch 4487 Tungsten
    These were used on the ROW cars and are nicknamed "Euros". They used a single larger reflector with a replaceable dual filament tungsten bulb. There were at least two version of the Euro headlights: one had no city light and no baffle in front of the bulb and another, possibly a later one, had a hole for 4w city light and mounted baffle in front of the bulb. The dual filament halogen, introduced in the early 70's, can be used used in these headlights provided they have the P45t base.

    • Bosch bucket, three drain holes
    • Bosch lens - Asymmetric, flat, fluted
    • Single large reflector
    • P45t dual filament tungsten bulb
    • Two adjustment screws


    Bosch H4
    The H4 is a dual filament halogen bulb introduced in the early 70's. The headlight that we know as the H4 today is closely related to the preceding Euro headlight.

    • Bosch bucket - same one used on the Euro headlamps
    • Bosch lens - fluted asymmetrical with ridged pebbled top
    • Halogen dual filament bulbs
    • One large reflector
    • Two adjustment screws


    Sugar Scoop
    This is a sealed beam unit for the U.S. with a housing for the sealed beam that attached directly to the fender. It was introduced in 1968 for U.S. cars and was used for many years after that (I believe until they were replaced with H5's in 1989 or so). Not very popular, they're most often replaced with H4's.

    I'm not sure what the official name is for the sugar scoops and I'd appreciate additional information. Also, please advise me of any errors or omissions and I will make the appropriate edits.

    Cheers,
    John

    P.S. Lots more information and pictures at my website: http://www.audettecollection.com/por...adlight-guide/
    Last edited by jaudette3; 09-06-2015 at 06:32 PM.
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  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    john

    you are the man.

    my deep compliment

    Andrea
    Registry Member #1414
    NOSGRUPPE

  3. #3
    Early 911S Registry # 237 NeunElf's Avatar
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    I've got one small correction. The hardcopy parts catalog is fairly clear that the H1 headlights were standard on the 911S (but not other 911s & 912s) starting at chassis 11800226 (coupe) and 11850065 (Targa).
    Jim Alton
    Torrance, CA
    Early 911S Registry # 237

    1965 Porsche 911 coupe
    1958 Porsche 356A cabriolet

  4. #4
    Senior Member Haasman's Avatar
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    Nice John, very helpful. Thank you for all your efforts and for posting this.
    Haasman

    Registry #2489
    R Gruppe #722
    65 911 #302580
    70 914-6 #9140431874
    73 911s #9113300709

  5. #5
    Lighting Specialist jaudette3's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NeunElf View Post
    I've got one small correction. The hardcopy parts catalog is fairly clear that the H1 headlights were standard on the 911S (but not other 911s & 912s) starting at chassis 11800226 (coupe) and 11850065 (Targa).
    Thanks Jim. I'm going to need a big chart to break this down by models (!) - I've added a footnote, hopefully that will do the job.

    Cheers,
    John
    Last edited by jaudette3; 09-06-2015 at 06:30 PM.
    Lighting Resources for Hardcore Air-Cooled Porsche Enthusiasts”
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    AC Shop: BEST-IN-CLASS Air Cooled 911 Lighting Parts => 911BestInClass.com
    AC Site: The Air Cooled 911 Light Resource => AudetteCollection.com
    Instagram: Please Follow => AC Shop Instagram

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