Hot Rods ENJ headlight why they are popular?

Hey Hotrods fella!
I Would like to understand why the ENJ are so popular and specialy here in Europe. Oh yes They are so good looking! (even if someones hate them) that's why I have one pair, But I didn't see some vintage pics or never see any vintage hotrod with them!!
They are seems to be iconic parts here and I can remember the last Scrapers indoor show SINS, there we were almost 50% hotrods equiped with it!! Even a HAMBer said ''now I know where the ENJ goes''
You hate or you love them, but show me some vintage pics or cars with them.

 

being recast in Australia, guy I deal with did 20 sets in October I think it was, was going to grab a set, but like everything, there are other things to spend money on...

I like them, but think they can look wrong on the wrong car, but that goes for a lot of things. Its the attention to detail on setting them up I think.

 

I think they are called E AND (&) J headlights.

 

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/frank-mack-t-hot-rod.htm/printable

 

Beats me. They are like a DuVal (sp?) windhshield on a deuce - looks like wings on a brick. Ifn you wanna go aero, go aero on the whole damm car, eh?, not just one part. Gary

 

Looks I suppose is the real reason they are popular. I don't recall seeing near as many over the years as I have in the last decade. But I think they were a popular accessory before my time.

I don't think they were actually a hot rod part but more of a high end sports touring thing when they were new.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368817&highlight=headlights

Did you see this?

 

I think they are a recent trend . . . as I've never seen many traditional hotrods running them from back in the period mags. I'm sure somebody ran them - as just about everything was tried, but I can't say that I believe they were popular. They don't fit most of the cars that I see them on (IMHO) - but to each his own style!

 

They were original equipment on a couple of cars in the mid to late 1920s, notably the Jordan Playboy and the Kissel Gold Bug. they were also available as an aftermarket accessory. Here's a Gold Bug - when I searched on Jordan Playboy all I got was pictures of tits...

 

Beats me, I think they are ugly. I'll probably catch a bunch of shit for it but I don't like the DuVal whindshields either, looks like elephant ears on an otherwise sleek car. Also don't like finned buick brake drums on the front, I know they work better, but they look like something doesn't fit right.....just me, no offense meant

 

If you can read the license plate it says 1935. The car was finished around 1931 and those were on it from the beginning. They were definitely used.

 

No, I'm new on the HAMB.
But If Crafty made this stuff, I guess, that's mean some people want this kind of headlights enough to made it.... even if they are basicaly not hotrod's parts.
Thank you 54BOMB

 

I don't know, but it can't possibly be due to their appearance. Must be another reason.

Bob

 

Probably because they are rare. I never saw a set on a car in the 60's. On 90% of the cars I see them on now, they don't fit the style of the car. They stick out like a sore thumb.
Larry T

 

I guess none of you guys ever heard of Frank Mack.

 

The car may be famous and the headlights fit a little better because of the swoopy track nose, but they still overpower the look of the rest of the car. What do you focus on when you see the car?
Larry T

 

Typical hotrods usually look terrible with these...the effect becomes "Look at the expensive lights I have!"
On the few cars that look right with them, they are really impressive. The light itself is a neat design, but car has to be built for it!
On the price...I bought my set for $75 on the LAST day of a HUGE old car fleamarket, where they had been sitting in plain view...and yes, this was after they became a fad and a hot Ebay piece! I think I could have offered 50, but I was already embarrassed... now I need a car they fit. So not a cheap purchase!

 

For what people pay for real E&J's I would rather have Electrolines.

 

Craftsmanship,style---ART--it's a matter of taste for all of us.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225968&highlight=frank+mack&showall=1

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=309053&highlight=frank+mack&showall=1

http://thehotrodsofdearborn.com/1953Drags.html

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84016&highlight=frank+mack&showall=1

 

I don't typically like E&J headlights all that much...not even on the Frank Mack T... but I like them on the '34 roadster that Jimmy/ Circle City built for Dana Harvey.



Maybe it's that they seem to work better with the more art deco '34 grille?

 

You know Bass, I agree . . . they do look better on this 34 than on most cars, I think you nailed it on the grill being a closer partner for them. Also, I don't like them up high (on the T) - as they look like eyes on a crab to me. I also think that having the open hood on the car and the tasty engine and valve covers help make the headlights NOT be the only thing that stands out . . . there are multiple things to catch the eye.

 

OK, I've been trying to figure out why I don't like them on hotrods and it's mainly the size. I think they look good on a LARGE 30's car, like the one alsancle posted. They seem to overpower the smaller Ford hotrods.
Then you gotta have a pretty swoopy car for the shape to be right.
The chrome on the grilleshells and engines of the 34's above help the headlights to fit, but I'd probably still change them if the cars were mine.
Off to work.
Larry T

 

Hotrods would look better without headlights, but since they are necessary, the E & J headlights offer a smaller, more sleek headlight. The Frank Mack T is the perfect example. All in the eye of the beholder.

 

In a world of hot rods with so much "competition" the odd and weird and non-stylistic accessories is a cry for folks to look, hence the RR world.

 

There does not seem to be a comprehensive reference on E&J. I'll have to admit, I had to ask about them. An old catalogue, an old manual, or even an old sales brochure would be nice. Does anyone know if they were sold in different sizes? There are several reproductions, maybe a smaller version would improve the look and balance.

Placement on a smaller bodied car seems to work in some cases. Look at the Mercury bodied car shown below, I think they look perfect there. Although, I agree, some can look out of place.

We had a set that we sold at a flea market. The particular set is shown in the vintage picture below. Never should have sold them. Loss of the E&J's was just as stupid as the mint Auburn Speedster guages we sold for a pittance back in the seventies.

Vintageride

"Just ask, there is no stupid question."

 

I actually don't care for them.But different strokes for different folks.If that is what you like so be it .Probably shouldn't of posted.Im just wondering is there any interesting story behind E and J

 

I don't usually like them but I agree with Brian, the art deco design and size of the '34 grill and the big chrome hemi valve covers just make them "right" for this car. Usually like Bruce said, they just overpower the car with the "look at me" thing.

Terry

 

Thank you, I thought I was the only one. I personly have yet to see a car that looks good with them, the '33's above look better than most do with E&J's but if it were mine I would put stock headlights on.