There are so many options, share what you're running or what you think looks good. I'll go first. Stock: 904-A (percolator headlights): 903-J: "Bates"/KD style:
Cool way to check them all out. Great looking car too. In order of attractiveness: 904-A, stock, 903-J, Bates.
This was just discussed here https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/which-headlight-1930-model-a.1205527 On a fendered rod run the A lights on drop bar.
Depends on if you want to look like you live in bubble BS trend stuff being done now,that was not really done in the late 1950s an 60s.*? Or wish to do an look kind of like what we really did do ,to hot rods when OHV V8's were first cool in Model A an other cars.? I built my own first hot rod in late 1950s,an worked on a good number of buddy's rods too. As for head lights,your using OHV V8=pegs it around 1960 rod styling ,an nearly all hot rodders of 50s n 60s knew 1920 n 30s headlights worked poorly/read that as worked for ****!. So those big old blops were put in the trash can. We used 7in. sealbeams ,a number of aftermarket 7in. sealbeam's in nice small buckets were around,beside working well,they also looks racy=lite an low air drag vs old n bulky. Point is,in the 50s n 60s most of us hot rod builders trashed,lights that didn't work well then,so the smaller 7in. bucket type are the right look of a hot rod that represents 50s to 60s rod styles. If you total cover up V8 an go for a stock look of the 30s with thin wheels too,,go for the bigger stock lights. Today seems trendy for those that don't know history*,to use big old ugly headlights. Stating how they love the look! Well the only save in that,is the're upgrades better bulbs an even repop old over sized lights now that do light the road. If you know history I just told you,an the fact that as of 1940 all cars n trucks were by law around the USA , updated to 7in. sealbeams. It may fill a gap.
I didn't want to make this about my coupe, I just shared the pics in hopes we could start an A hot rod headlight thread because I had some pics with different headlights on my car. I'm all in on 60s era hot rods and while stock lights may look neat from the front view, they don't fit the car's style in my opinion. So, I sold them off. The coupe is getting the small headlights because it's being built like so many street/strip cars I liked from the era. If I could have found proper 4"ers, I would have tried them, too. Small headlights aren't for everyone, but they do fit the period. Anyway, let's see some more Model A headlight setups.
Too big.....too antique, too small, you need a lot of horse power, in the middle.......hot rod.....and just right....In my humble opinion
The 903 J with a stock bar fits the 60's style of the car best and gets my vote. Chrome the bar for even more coolness.
Anything but the big *** stock ones. I like the Bates. Hot rods shouldn't have stock looking headlights.
I like the look of the larger headlights but they do **** at night, even with halogen bulbs it just a bright flood light.
Show the side profile with the different headlights, the 682, 903 and 904 guides are going to have close to the same front view.
This thread is a bit old, but I like this look. I was in diapers when this was happening, but that doesn’t preempt me from appreciating the look. I surely know I like the curved bar better than the straight bar.
The Jalopy Journal
