Identifying Original Headlights - Gathering Data

[jaudette3]

** THREAD MORPH **

This thread has turned into a data gathering exercise rather than a definitive guide - which hopefully will come later. Please submit information you have on original headlights.

A lot of information about early headlights coming in which gives us an opportunityto change the direction of this thread and make it more informative for all. Perhaps we can put together the definitive thread on early headlights. If we gather enough material it might make for an illuminating article for "Esses". (sorry).

Original Headlights
----------------------
Because the early lights did such a poor job of, umm, lighting, many of us have gone to H1's or H4's. It would be interesting to do a little automotive archeology and identify what headlights came on what cars when.

Here are some of the headlight types that I'm aware of;

(1) Hella U.S. 356C for sure - and early 911?
Here are the original lenses with the writing on the outside:





These aren't new, but are in good condition. Ironically, I took one set off of my '60 S90 Roadster years ago because they weren't correct for it. But, as indicated in this thread, they are correct for 356C's - and perhaps for very early 911's?

(2) SWB 911:
Hella, Bosch, sealed beam, pre-halogen, U.S., Euro

(3) Early H4's
??!!!

(4) Early H1's
I'm somewhat familar with these and will put up some pictures later today.

(5) Sugar Scoops
What years were these used? Pictures of components would be nice.

Many here have cars with a high degree of originality. Show us your lights!

JohnA

Edit: Clear up misleading information I first presented here and change the direction of the thread to identifying early headlights.

[RSTarga]

Those are not for H4's

[210bhp]

John

I think these lenses are for swb or pre-H4 headlights.
I always thought the chrome rings on the swb cars (which your lenses seem to be for) and the chrome rings for H4 headlights have a slightly different profile. The H4 lenses have a top shelf or ledge and yours (very desirable) have the smooth curved top like my 67 headlights unless your photos are fooling me. Can you post a side on shot showing the upper lens profile. Thanks. Good look with your project.
I hope you see these comments as constructive and not critical before you begin assembly. Maybe someone will put me right if I am wrong in these assumptions. Always learning.

Regards
Mike

[jaudette3]

David & Mike...

Love the input - although David's input may be a bit too brief to shed more light on things. Seems like I learn something new about these cars every single day (or maybe I forgot that I knew it).

I *think* that these were original on SWB cars, not sure what the nomenclature is. I know that there are modern halogen units that can be used to replace the original sealed beam, so I guess that might make it a stealth H4.

Here's another picture of the lenses I have:



It is flat. I know the 356C guys find them very desirable, but I think there are early 911 applications.

JohnA

[jaudette3]

Couple more pictures. This a Bosch ring though.





JohnA

[steve shea]

Yep, those are 356 era lenses. The H4 356 lenses are significantly different. They have fluted lenses and look somewhat similar to the SWB 900 series H4s but not close seen side by side. The H4s require the fluting to focus the beam. I think they came out around the T6 era.

[route66kix]

heres some pics of nos 356 lenses with outside lettering , nos h-4 lenses, and nos us 64-67 headlight assys with outside lettering

[steve shea]

There is another fluted H4 in addition to the one shown above.

[jaudette3]

John Dilger has given the green light for me to write an article for "Esses" about early headlights. The goal is to identify all of the assembles that were used during the Longhood Era, including European, U.S. (and perhaps ROW?).

This is the most knowledgeable group in the world about longhoods and you are the main part of the research process. So please help out by contributing to this thread: facts, figures and pictures.

Thanks very much.

JohnA

[jaudette3]

Here's an early Bosch with the fluted lens. Note that the lens is for a EDIT: RHD car.











Some details:

• for a LHD car - Edit: for a RHD car - thanks everyone!
• P45T bulb
• raised lettering on lenses
• slotted adjusting screws
• label says "Bosch 45/40 watt"
• bulb says "Philips Duplo-6 12V 45/40 watt E1"

Is this a forerunner of the H1? Can anyone identify if this was used as original equipment and, if so, on what cars and when?

Thanks,
John