History Model A Headlights of A coupe Highboys.

Been trying to get my 34 sorted (why is every wire blue )and for some sanity thinking I will take a break and may do some more work on my A coupe removing fenders etc and start heading towards a traditional highboy.

I have a set of 35(?) car headlights that look like a lot of work to be able to use on a reworked A headlight bar so was thinking of using what I have with the A headlights. Was this common 'back in the day' or did most folks use Guides etc? Just thinking they may look a little big???

 

Once sealed beam headlights came out (1940), most people swapped to the better lights. The stock lights became popular again during the resto Rod phase in the 70’s, and more recently on fenderless cars. If your car is mostly stock pre ww2 style then it would be right otherwise I’d go with some guide headlights or similar.

 

Stockers for me, late 30s style Gow job... Fits...I agree with 31Apickup above... Prewar style is pretty much modular style... Funny how in the automotive world we went from gas lamps, to modular bulbs etc, then to sealed, now back to modular housings on late model OT cars and trucks...

Tip a proper adjusted set of stocker lights with LED bulbs in them are downright plenty bright and should serve you well...

Here is my A with modified stock headlight bar...

 

Awesome thanks, just what I needed to see. Exactly the look Im after.

Anything in particular I need to know about or hints whenn redoing the headlight bar?

By chance do you know which bulbs you used? My car is already 12v.

 

Of course sealed beams never penetrated that deep outside North America. Bulb upgrades in stock lenses/reflectors were always an option in Europe and elsewhere. And from '62 there were halogen bulbs. In the '80s we could get 55/100W halogens in my part of the world. I used to fit them as a matter of course.

Unlike many I welcome the LED option, as it allows the rest of the electrical system to be reduced to ignition and starting (or not even the latter) and very little more.

 

Pete, you can buy a kit, 2 bulbs and 2 small wiring adaptors. Plug and play. Brattons would probably sell them.

 

Cheers mate! Have to order something else off them so will put that on the list!

 

Not cheap but probably a great upgrade.

 

There has been some discussion on here about headlights. Just know with the LED lights and stock housings you'll get way more light but it'll be in a flood pattern. If you want the focused beam light of regular or more modern headlights I would go with sealed beam.

My .02

 

I have these bulbs in my 31' lights, they work great and work well with a generator.

 

I run Snyders or other Model A suppliers Quartz bulbs that fit the stock Model A sockets. I run alternators, some with 6volt, most with 12volt alternators. Best combo I have found, and the focus properly unlike most halogen conversions. I know, I have one of those too, Vintique, and it really ****s! Real bright with a big black hole right where you need it to be bright, Can't focus those and the bulbs are too long. Try the quarts. $27 each when I got them and they install exactly like the sock bulb.

Dave

 

I got the LEDs from Berts, they are 6 or 12v bulbs, kinda cool... dont forget to focus the beam without the lens on there. This is the crucial step on making them good.

Headlight bar,

I sliced it right at the mounting points for the lights, took the two outside pieces with flange, cut a bit off and dished them so the headlight bar would fit down and get better weld. Bolt the two flanges to the frame first... Then put a level on the top to make sure they are the same height and will put things level. Then its just a matter of grinding cleaning and welding, but first mount a light to it, make sure that light is pretty much level also front and back then tac it then weld... this ensures the vertical adjustment of the light should be pretty spot on, you may need to make sure the lights are mid of their adjustment travel etc.

Need more pics let me know...

 

Cheers! Thanks for such a detailed response. I think I have it but if you do have some more pics Im kind of a visual learner so that would be great

 

so you don't repeat my mistake...
A long time new england rodder with a paisly painted '34 fordor explained parabolic refraction,
but trying to bend the light twice, with a sealed beam and the factory lens you will see great right in front but not so well long distance... really lights up the ditch...

 

too bad you were not local as i have a handful of the '60s and '70s sealed beam conversions...

 

Here is all I had when doing it... Hopefully these give you some idea of how its put together. Super simple and easy...

 

I was just reading about a conversion that replaces the reflector. It's at Brattons, nice setup with LED's. Please adjust them. I drive over the road and it seems everyone is installing LED's but they just throw light everywhere and blind you in your mirror and coming at you. I don't understand why the cops don't stop them. Years ago you had to cover K/C Highlights. These seem to be just as bright.
Sorry for the rant....

 

Thanks! That helps heaps. I dd see on a youube video somewhere, maybe RAC, that I need to keep an eye on the angle of the bucket mounts, I can see that more clearly in your pics. Cheers!