Early 80" headlights (tractor style)

[Aaron IIA]

I have just purchased some new headlight bulbs for my '49 80". The original bulbs achieve low beam by having one fillament off centre, to slightly affect the beam efficiency. The new bulbs have a half cover on one fillament, (like modern H4 halogen bulbs) but are still shapped the same as the originals. Made by Phillips of Holland, and at $5 each, they look like a good buy.
Aaron.

[series1buff]

Thanks for the tip Aaron... but where did u buy them ?

If your looking for replacement fluted glass lenses .. some domestic glass retailers will cut them for you ..not exactly the same , but close enough . The originals tend to become opaque with age , which obsures the light .

They are somewhat ineffective and feeble even when brand new. . I went for a 51 grill with the H4 lights ,more practical for a everyday car , and easier to get a roadworthy cert. too.

Mike

[Aaron IIA]

My lenses are fine - just a little bit dirty. The reflectors are dull, but not rusty. Has anybody tried to polish them? Are they silver or chrome based?
I am in Adelaide and we don't have roadworth certificates. Even if we did, it would not be a problem. The vehicle can not be judged by modern standards, as it was made before the ADR's came into existance. As long as they work as intended, they will be fine.
I will never modernise the headlights. Otherwise, why did I search for a long time specially to find a 1949 80"?
Aaron.

[Aaron IIA]

I bought the bulbs as NOS from Car Parts Plus. They were listed in the Hella catalogue but not the Narva catalogue. So they will be available new, but at what price I don't know. I can enquire if required.
Aaron.

[JDNSW]

My lenses are fine - just a little bit dirty. The reflectors are dull, but not rusty. Has anybody tried to polish them? Are they silver or chrome based?...........Aaron.

I don't have experience with them specifically, but at that date they are almost certainly silver, although they may have originally had a very thin coating of some sort of varnish. Try polishing a very small part near an edge with silver polish, possibly one of the silver polishing cloths may be best, and if that does well, you can do the lot. Never touch the reflector with your bare hand. The reflector can be replated, it should be possible to find an electroplater who will do it.

If it was chrome it would not be dull - chrome usually peels before it dulls. To be certain, compare the colour with examples - chrome and silver are not the same colour, chrome is bluer, even if dirty.
John

[Bigbjorn]

Chrome plating was not used on headlights. It has inferior reflectivity. Sealed and semi-sealed light units used aluminium as a reflective coating. Older vehicles with separate lens and reflector used silver plate. If they don't polish up well, or you rub through the silver plate, then any electroplating works can restore them. Fairly common practice with vintage and veteran vehicle restorations.

[series1buff]

Hello All,

If your headlight reflectors need to be re-plated with silver .. take your wallet with you, with lots of notes.

As for roadworthies in South Aust.. Yes I was amazed when I bought my 107" in Adelaide .. it had been unregistered for some time .. A trip to the nearest RTA office ,a few forms filled out, money handed over and it was registered again, in my name .. and I'm from Victoria ! No checks or vehicle inspection at all ! Wow I thought to myself .. this is heaven for car enthusiasts.


You also have the option of a 3 or 6 month or one year registration period .

Mike

PS It's just me, but I would'nt drive around at night with those weak, feeble original headlights .. asking for trouble in today's hectic road rage environment .. You could install modern 5" sealed beams in the headlight shells .. that would be OK and passable .