MTFCA Forum

Can anyone tell me what the diameter is of the headlight lens used in 1920. Also the thickness of the glass. I need to get new lenses cut. Thanks for any help

My Velvet Ray Round lens is stamped 8-1/4 inches and fits perfectly. An H style is stamped at 8 inches with the inner rim at 7 -1/8

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Model T lenses (even NOS ones) aren't terribly rare. I had a pile of them, in the original boxes, for a long time...before I was even into Model T's.

I had exactly two of them left when I bought my car a few years ago and they're on my car now.

I recommend that you place an ad in the classifieds.

I believe Graham's 1920 Model T would have had flat clear glass headlight lenses.
From his question he appears to believe this as well.
This is confirmed in the MTFCI judging guidelines for US and Canadain cars.
What diameter and glass thickness is the question?
I can't help you there Graham, as I don't have a '20 T.
Just helping in clarifying the question for others......
Harry

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The only reason for the wider clip on the later rims was to keep the H lens flutes in their vertical orientation. When using plain glass lenses they can be used if one end is twisted a bit and one tab bent down to hold the lens.

Allan from down under.

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Allan

Correct on that reason. But with a bit of crafty work, one can use clear glass lens easier on these later rims by just having the glass cutter trim each side in 4 places. That way it fits like the later Ford 'H' lens


Did this for a pair of brass rims on early acetylene headlamps, found w/o rims, wanted the brass look on the cheap, so took a pair of later nickel rims, and polished off the nickel , leaving the brass rim, with clear lens for the faux '13 in the garage

Without the flutes, how does one know they have their flat glass lenses
oriented correctly ?

Keep it simple. "Lens Glass" is thicker than window pane glass. Have the glass cut to the diameter needed to fit the rims you have.

I'll throw it out there just because....

I know a guy that has clear lenses on his headlights on a car that looks great (and makes mine of the same year and type look wrong in lots of areas). He made those lenses at home!

I know many will cough, but after years of watching this car...I finally asked the magic question as to where one might get clear glass lenses...he giggled!

Then he told me to go tap on his. They had absolutely no echo and a thunk. I looked at him and said..."woah...plexi?" He grinned again and said 'Yup'.

If your not going for show...maybe not a bad idea???

Every original clear glass lens for model T and most other cars of the era, that I have had or taken out of original lamps has been rather thin. This includes the one I just now took out of an original 1917 headlamp that I needed to take apart anyway because I needed the early pieces for my 1915. This 1917ish headlamp was quite rusty, and appears to have never been apart for nearly a hundred years.
The two good ones I have sitting in a drawer to use in my 1915, and the cracked one I just removed from the rusty lamp, are all 1/8th inch thick.

graham lloyd wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:55 am

Can anyone tell me what the diameter is of the headlight lens used in 1920. Also the thickness of the glass. I need to get new lenses cut. Thanks for any help

With that added info on the thickness of 1/8" by Wayne (thanks!) then the part # in Parts and Price Book, April 1, 1919, for 6576X, headlamp door lens, lists it as 8 -1/8" diameter. There you go