Headlight lens years... any ideas on US ones?

[gybemaster]

Just wanted to know what would have been the correct lens US lens style for my 56 Oval. (Which model number as the numbers seem to overlap one another in terms of the years of use from reading the thread I found)

"SB19 SB20 SB21" across bottom, Hella logo only--late '63-early '80s
"E1.0671.01" across bottom, both Hella (top) and VW logos--'56-'63
- "25484" in lower left corner-- ~'59-'63
- "25484" along inside top of rim--'56-~'58
No "E" number, just Hella logo at top and VW logo at bottom--'53-'56
- No vestigial oval in center of lens--late '55-'56
- Vestigial oval in center--'53-'55

I have a UK bug but I want to fit US Style headlights whilst at the same time making sure the lenses match my year.

Do you happen to know if I need to purchase different rims so they are year specific also, if so what would I need?

Hope someone can enlighten me here

[gybemaster]

Any ideas guys on this front?

[janerick3]

PM sent...
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Thanks,
Jan K.

[gybemaster]

Cheers for the PM...awesome!!!

[EverettB]

I'd like to see the answer in the Forums please.
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[janerick3]

[L378]

wanted to resurrect this thread for the following

[janerick3]

The only way to answer this question accurately is to disassemble known original headlights with original lenses from U.S. or Canadian-market cars and capture the data (chassis no./build month, headlight bucket date code and lens part number).

I believe no more than 3 different clear lenses were used for the 1956 model year (however, there were probably more than 3 Hella part numbers).

For example:

- Hella part no. 2-25484 (Hella logo at top, VW logo at bottom, vestigial oval in center of lens, part number under rubber gasket)--used late '53(?) - late '55(?)

- Hella part no. 3-25484??

- Hella part no. 4-25484 (Hella logo at top, VW logo at bottom, no vestigial oval, part number under rubber gasket)--used Dec '55 (see my avatar)

- Hella part no. 5(?)-25484 ("E1.0671.01" across bottom, both Hella top and VW logos)

The "E1.0671.01" lenses were used into the 1964 model year with a number of running changes; the highest part number I've seen is 26-25484.
_________________
Thanks,
Jan K.

[L378]

janerick3

thanks for the response. I just find it surprising that there was such variety & thought that for 1 or 2 of the lenses there was something out there that might be able to exclude as being too early/late.

[vwkidd]

This info is really helpful to me. I have a July 3rd US Spec. Cabriolet and I want to locate the correct lenses. So my car would have came with the clear lense with the oval in the center? Could some one post a pic if available. Thanks
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1955 151 Deluxe L219 Congo Green (Project)
1951 11A Standard L21 Pear Gray
1954 117 Deluxe L227 Strato Silver "Delilah"
1966 141 Cabrio. L554 Cherry Red (low mileage)
Owned: All in the 80's slammed & running BRM's,Fuchs,OG Empis w/ big motors & 48IDA's LA Style!
1959 Convertible 151 L41
1955 Convertible 151 L41
1958 Convertible 151 L349
1966 KG Convertible L456
1967 KG Convertible L41
1959 117 Deluxe L451

[L378]

From the oval window gallery (courtesy or rare air) clear lens vestigial oval in center

[My57Oval]

Just wanting to clarify something..

So the "SB19 SB20 SB21" across bottom, Hella logo only--late '63-early '80s

These would only be appropriate for late 63/64 and later assemblies?

Thanks!

R

[EverettB]

Yes, although I would say 1964-up.

My super late '63 model year Bus still had the original E1 lenses when I got it.
I don't see why Beetles would be different, although that is always possible.

Maybe late '63 in this case means 1964 model year but built in 1963.
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[janerick3]

[jays58s]

Sorry to drag this thread up, but my question seemed to fit. My April of 1955 oval has US spec Hella headlights dated 9N on one, and 22N on the other. They have normal clear lenses with only the Hella logo at the top, and VW logo at the bottom, nothing else. No circle in the center of the lens, and no other distinctive markings. I thought it was odd that one looks to be a March of 1955 date code (9N), and the other looks like it's a May/June of 1955 date code (22N). They don't have the earlier US style parking bulbs or buckets either, they look just like a 56-60 black painted bucket. How can one be headlight seem date correct for my car, and the other be dated later than the build date of my car? I know my car was purchased by a service member wherever he was stationed, so could the original headlights to my car have originally been Euro lights, and then swapped for the lights on there now before it left for the US? It's also a semaphore car with vinyl interior, and a MPH speedometer dated 3/55. The taillights were stolen at some point, but they were definitely the egg/heart housings because the fenders are for that style taillight, and the original paint is still under the current taillight seals.

[motofly196]

Do you have any pics of the headlights?

[jays58s]

[motofly196]

Just curious if they were 56' only lenses

[jays58s]

[EverettB]

They don't have parking light holders at all?
This make me think they threw something together when it came into the USA.

It sounds like your lenses might fit the "56" lenses described earlier in this thread
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