MTFCA Forum

I've given up on finding a reasonably priced solution to my mismatched headlamp issue and so im asking for thoughts on using period correct (within a couple years) fork mounted electric lights on my 1913 pickup.
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George H. ? just listed a pretty nice orphan JNO. Brown head lamp a dew days ago on the classifieds.

Thanks, looks like it gone.

If you don't restore it and leave it in that beautiful state, I would say a pair of mis-matched lamps would be just one more delightful detail. That is perfectly right for an aged car that's been around the block.
Just Me?
Rich

It has been the practice to use whatever fits to keep the cars running until more recently when "restoration" has been common. Most "restored" cars don't have the same type paint or upholstery as the original. The modern leatherette is not the same as the leather or leatherette used today. Nor are the top materials the same. Most mechanical parts are not matched to the originals nor fitted with the same bore and crankshafts. Many internal parts in the transmission or rear differential are not completely as came from the factory. Your wheels are not original either. They had non de-mountable rims from the factory.
Even the pickup bed is not authentic. So I would suggest you put in a seat and, if you want to, a top. Get it in good mechanical condition, and drive it. Sometimes the cars with a few dents and holes in the body and fenders will get more attention from bystanders then the complete restoration. Then some day at a swap meet or from someone in the club, you might get a good buy on a matched set of lights you can change them
Norm

Yeah… It was a beautifully restored E&J 66. And it would have greatly detracted from the appearance of your ‘13. It’s now going to MN. Like Rich said; I like the looks of your mismatched lamps. Get your T running good and safe and you’ll have the time of your life in it.

haha, its quite a character.
I like its looks too but im putting all new sheet metal and paint on it and then its gonna be problem

“all new sheet metal”? If you need rewooding, you live in the perfect place So, you’re gonna restore it ?

Ryan,
I think I know you. You live in Harbison Canyon. We talked at the meeting in January!
Norm

Hi Norm!
Yes it's me. Ray Wells is building a roadster body for me and I've ordered Rootlieb fenders and whatnot. I'm looking ahead a little in the headlights bit.
Im looking for a match to the Victor or the Brown 16 OR a set of fork mounted early electric as im going to convert the gas over anyway

George House wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:45 pm

“all new sheet metal”? If you need rewooding, you live in the perfect place So, you’re gonna restore it ?

Yes, Ray Wells locally is building the body as the original touring body is full of rusty holes.The wood is included. Ill do mechanical and upholstery

Ray Wells is well known for his wood bodies. Should be a beauty when you are done. The Long Beach Swap meet is usually a good one. Might find what you need there.
Norm

I think Ive found a match to the lamp on right side (aft looking forward) Victor Cincinnati. I'll convert them to electric but they both will need reflectors and lenses.

ryanpad wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 22, 2024 2:31 pm

I'll convert them to electric but they both will need reflectors and lenses.

Did similar for the '12 project buckboard pickup, found a pair of lightly dented, but bare, steel Ford script Victors, that were missing the brass rims and reflectors and burners. But project needed working lamps, so electric was fairly easy to do.

Added late parabolic reflectors, and mounted lamp housings to the back side of the reflectors, and ran wires out the burner holes.

Then a pair of later nickel plate rims, and removed most all the nickel. From a destroyed set of Victor rims, removed the hinge part and riveted the Victor hinge to the later Ford rims. Those fit just right and so did the later reflector into the Victor lamp.

Just a general lamp question.
If you put LED electric bulbs in your lamps would really need reflectors?

Dan Hatch wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 22, 2024 3:51 pm

Just a general lamp question.
If you put LED electric bulbs in your lamps would really need reflectors?

All depends on the style of the LED bulb.
The latest one is called a called a "Focused LED" and incorporates its own reflector. Other types don't adjust to the focal point of the stock reflector and depending on their configuration.
previous discussion on the Focused LED viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41381 ---
The socket of the headlight is a BA15D which is what Today's tail lights use 1156 -so that's what many LED designs are for.
The reflected light is focused by the fluted lens. But it is expected to be concentrated within the focal point of the reflector. So many of the LED bulb configurations have an array of LEDS causing scattered light. That makes the Fluted lens look bright but the result is out misdirected beam. This diagram is an example of what the LED bulbs below may result in. ---
These would be useful to illuminate the headlight glass

Awesome work! That’s exactly what I needed to hear!

DanTreace wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 22, 2024 3:45 pm

ryanpad wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 22, 2024 2:31 pm

I'll convert them to electric but they both will need reflectors and lenses.

Did similar for the '12 project buckboard pickup, found a pair of lightly dented, but bare, steel Ford script Victors, that were missing the brass rims and reflectors and burners. But project needed working lamps, so electric was fairly easy to do.

Added late parabolic reflectors, and mounted lamp housings to the back side of the reflectors, and ran wires out the burner holes.

Then a pair of later nickel plate rims, and removed most all the nickel. From a destroyed set of Victor rims, removed the hinge part and riveted the Victor hinge to the later Ford rims. Those fit just right and so did the later reflector into the Victor lamp.




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IMG_2632.jpeg

Awesome!

If you are wondering about the focused ones - I put a set in the 25 I have in the shop here.

https://youtu.be/VW7fsNX9KQg