Identifying Original Headlights - Gathering Data

[Mike_Moore]

Any excuse to post pictures of what I think are the most beautiful light units used on an early Porsche,
the Cibie Biode with the built in spotlight as used in racing cars around the late 60's and early 70's.
Utilising a swb housing and the raised 19.20.21 numbered hella glass.

[stretch]

Beautiful Mike. Have confirmed Eric's screws are crosshead. Not the one's on Mike's Hella rims.

[Dave Pugh]

Agree Mike. I'd love a set for my car.

[edmayo]

John, I'd be curious to see if anyone else agrees that the fluting on #10 is for right hand drive. If not then all my cars have the wrong lenses!

[jaudette3]

This are most likely not original equipment, but I don't know if they are early or late:









As you can see, I generate as many questions as I do answers.

JohnA

[Bantam]

Ed, I also believe that post #10 shows a RHD lens.

[mfitton]

John, I'd be curious to see if anyone else agrees that the fluting on #10 is for right hand drive. If not then all my cars have the wrong lenses!

Agree with Ed since I just learned this myself. Pie slice shaped section on the Bosch lenses is on the side of the steering wheel, since your post has it on the right side it is for RHD car. That section of the lens directs the bean to the opposite side.

[Bullethead]

Mike, those Cibie's are spectacular. Here's Marchal's "lesser" version... maybe someone will post some clear ones too.

[jaudette3]

EDIT: You guys are great. I've edited the post to flip things around to the right side.

There was a recent comment here about fluted lenses for RHD vs. LHD. The theory is that the flute directed light to the side of the road opposite the traffic. So RHD headlights had flutes that pointed to the left and LHD headlighs had flutes that pointed to the right. Here's a comparison side by side. Not exactly apples to apples, as one is a H1 and the other is the early Bosch with the fluted lens.

EDIT: This has been corrected. The opposite is true.



EDIT: Following corrected

The H1 pictured on the right side of the picture has the flute pointed to the left, which makes it a LHD headlight. And vice versa for the Bosch on the left side of the picture. It's pointed to the right which would make it a RHD headlight.

Hopefully someone can provide further clarification, especially our Euro friends as inspection regulations are so tight in many of those countries.

Thanks,
John

[mrar]

Hi John,
In Australia the driver sits on the right side of the car,the angular flute on the lens is also on the right side of the car as per left hand Bosch picture above.
Sean.