Pre A headlights

[mr. warehouse]

Can anyone direct me to some good pictures of the headlights I should have on my '54?

I have no idea what lens markings, adjuster screw positions, etc. should be.

Any help is appreciated.

[mpribanic]

Here's a pic I took of a 1954 coupe. About all you can see is the screw positions. I'm assuming these headlights are correct for a 1954.

_________________
Call your Cunado's:

https://vimeo.com/67661950

[mpribanic]

This is a friends 1953. Same screw positions. Again I am assuming these are correct for the car.

_________________
Call your Cunado's:

https://vimeo.com/67661950

[mpribanic]

Another 54 with same screw positions [EDIT] the earlier hood handle was 1954 & earlier. 1955 had A style hood handle.

_________________
Call your Cunado's:

https://vimeo.com/67661950

[mpribanic]

1955 same screw positions

_________________
Call your Cunado's:

https://vimeo.com/67661950

[00SEVEN]

Another angle and a close up... Need to give my scanner a clean!

I am no expert, just an enthusiast'

-From a 54-

[mpribanic]

From the Registry website and written by Charlie White:

In the 1955 Pre-A parts book, Porsche lists three (3) separate headlight assemblies: Bosch (644.631.101.00), Hella (644.631.101.01), and Hella sealed beam (644.631.101.31). It also mentions that the Park Light and Blinker light were one unit (meaning the little white beehive light in front). I haven't seen a blinking headlight assembly, but who knows. This seems to rule out park lights in the headlight assembly. The rest of the 1955 parts book seems to verify this as there are no other Park light parts or assemblies listed. From comparing part numbers to those in later Porsche parts books, it can be deduced that the Hella sealed beam was probably intended for USA, the Hella was probably for right hand traffic countries, except USA; and the Bosch was for Left hand traffic countries (England, for example).

Hope that helps...
_________________
Call your Cunado's:

https://vimeo.com/67661950

[mr. warehouse]

Thanks.
That's way more info than I was abl to get from the registry site with the same question.

I'm thinking of going with a "European" look, so I guess I'll be looking for Hella "fluted" non sealed units with the adjusting screws at the bottom.

Thanks for the help!

[00SEVEN]

[mpribanic]

[mr. warehouse]

[janerick3]

[mr. warehouse]

[mr. warehouse]

[jooles]

Those are Hella with 60's Bosch lenses. I think the whole headlight is wrong as it is a later assembly I think (2 rivets on the ring, should be one I think). You should make a larger pic of your headlights, where we can see everything, and have a look there : http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279505

In this link you will get the dates of the several Hella and Bosch products. This could help you

Do anyone know if there is any difference between 356 and early bug headlight assemblies (except for the logos on the lenses)?

Thanks!

Julien

[mr. warehouse]

[janerick3]

[TheFop]

Hi Folks, Sorry for dragging up an old post but I just found these headlights in my stash of bits that came with a Beetle I bought a while ago, these have been in storage in a box for at least 15 years and likely longer.
The codes on the glass are 1305614001 and 1208 and they are symmetrical with a stylised Bosch script so from what I'm able to ascertain are likely early 50's Beetle or Pre A 356.
The reflectors don't have any writing on the back and are in really nice condition with just a bit of spidering under the finish but are very servicable.
There are two slightly different buckets, one is black/grey with the original codes including a VW sign and the other is just grey with no writing, both have 3 drain holes and are in pretty decent condition.
The chrome rings are very nice with a couple of tiny dents likely from a piece of gravel being flipped up and the screw tabs have very slight surface corrosion, however no Bosch markings.

The bulb holders/terminal connectors are Bosch based on the small Bosch logo and again nice condition bar a bit of dusty grime which appears to wipe off with little effort.

They came to me in pieces but I believe I have all the bits to put them back together.

So a couple of questions, are these likely to be early 50's or as the Bosch markings aren't on the rings, or reflectors are they likely to be parts from various periods to make a good set.
2nd question is what is a fair price for them if anyone was looking for a set? My Beetle is a New Zealand 67 so although these would be very cool they aren't the right lights for it and these may be able to help fund some of the cost for the paint on my 67.
_________________
Rusty 61 RHD Karmann Ghia Coupe - Resto in progress....slowly
Stock 69 LHD Karmann Ghia Coupe - Driver
67 New Zealand Spec Beetle - Being rebuilt
63 New Zealand Spec Beetle - Going Baja!
86 T25 Westfalia - Family Fun car

[James Davies]

Mr Warehouse, is yours a USA-delivery car? If so, then it originally had the '54 Hella sealed beam units that janerick3 describes.

If Euro-delivery (except for France), it had Bosch.