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Sat Dec 18, 2004 6:12 am

i have some european headlight glass. what is the difference between glasses with or without vw sign in top? maybe year?
does exist headlight with non fluted lenses but with symmetrical lamp?

example:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=131532

Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:46 am

As long as the lens in question has a VW logo, it was intended for use on a VW. If the lens does NOT have a VW logo, it could have been used on a Porsche or been a replacement part

Sat Dec 18, 2004 6:09 pm

Hella and Bosch were the suppliers. It is nice if you can match the lenses with a indentical ring. You wouldn't want Bosch lenses with Hella marked rings.

Sun Dec 19, 2004 8:02 am

i know...
why bosch ones are so rare than hella?

Sun Dec 19, 2004 8:28 am

From my readings, Bosch was used on Beetles built up to 1954 until supplies ran out. The adjusting screws on the headlight rim should be at the 9 & 12 o'clock positions.
Hella units were used from then on with the locations of the adjusting screws changing over the course of the next few years. The earlier units having the adjusters at the 5 & 7 o'clock positions. Around 1963, the adjusters moved to the 2 & 7 o'clock positions.
Bosch continues to be an OEM supplier to VW even till today. They offered replacement lenses even during the 60s, but the logo scripting had changed from the early italic logo to the now current bold logo. When you asked "why are the Bosch units more rare", I'm assuming you're referring to the italic logo'd lenses.
I don't think that they're that hard to find at all. I've around 10 sets, and they can easily be found/purchased for around $40-$75 per lens Purchasing a complete bucket can cost upwards of $125-$200/ea Bosach & Hella bucket assemblies are also slightly different from one another. Besides the placement of the adjusting screws, the bulb holders are also unique from one another. Bosch is held down with a traditional spring & the Hella units use a circlip-type spring.
The above information is from what I have found through various sources. If I'm wrong, please inform me. I'm always more than willing to learn more info on any subject that interests me.

Sun Dec 19, 2004 8:55 am

what do you know about bosch H1 4 screw headlight?
i have seen a pair on a 63 beetle of my friend (not original i think).
very nice, it has separate bulbs for low and high beam.

Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:37 am

Actually the Hella script on the ring is much rarer than the Bosch. It is marked at 6 o'clock on the 5 and 7 position ring. Do you have any of those Glenn? PM me if you want to sell a set. :wink:

Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:44 am

on mine hella was written in blue ink inside. i used a nos one and was there too.
i have seen differences in hella rings early and late. ealry ones had a lip where it meets the glass seal.

Sun Dec 19, 2004 2:29 pm

Bob-- I've never seen an outer ring with the Hella inscription. But my Bosch rings do have the Bosch inscription at the 12 o'clock position. Also the mounting tab on the Bosch rings are shaped like a "L" as opposed to just being a flat tab like on repro units.

Sun Dec 19, 2004 2:40 pm

I have them on my car but they need to be re-chromed and I'm afraid I will lose the detail. '52/'53 only I am told.

Sun Dec 19, 2004 5:44 pm

53 0val wrote: I have them on my car but they need to be re-chromed and I'm afraid I will lose the detail. '52/'53 only I am told.

Have the logo's engraved by a gunsmith after the plating process

Sun Dec 19, 2004 6:26 pm

Gunsmith?????? I would have thought a jeweler. :?

Sun Dec 19, 2004 6:32 pm

53 0val wrote: Gunsmith?????? I would have thought a jeweler. :?

Good gunsmith's have skills that make the average jeweler hang his head in shame. But wouldn't you get the engraving done BEFORE the platers so as not to cut thru the new chrome?

Sun Dec 19, 2004 6:50 pm

There was a thread in here someplace that described the process, but I can't find it. :?

Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:12 pm

coad wrote: ...But wouldn't you get the engraving done BEFORE the platers so as not to cut thru the new chrome?

If you're plater is not careful, they might destroy some of the details while hitting your part with the buffing wheel.

Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:38 pm

PEPPE wrote: what do you know about bosch H1 4 screw headlight?
i have seen a pair on a 63 beetle of my friend (not original i think).
very nice, it has separate bulbs for low and high beam.

Peppe, that must be something like the Marchal Amplilux lights that came with my 64, they have separated high and low, and they came mounted in pre-62 Hella assemblies (screws at 5 & 7).

I'd say that the VW marked lenses were the originals which came with the car, and the other ones were replacement parts.
I have seen all the type of lenses with and without the VW logo:
Bosch symmetrical (both italic and bold types)
Hella symmetrical
Bosch assymetrical
Hella symmetrical
Hella clear (US type, SB marking)