1937 Headlight Question

bellbigdawg
bellbigdawg Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
got a set of 1937 terraplane headlights I need to put together. all I got is just the metal housings or buckets, and the mounts. I'm looking for the shiney trim rings that are visable on the ouside next to the lense. emailed a guy in hemmings saying he's got parts, emails me back saying there is no seperate trim rings, that they where made to the bucket, and if mine are missing, they are junk. I see slots in the bucket around the edge where it looks like they attached there. is the hemmings guy right? do I need to throw the housings in the junk pile and find new ones??? I want to bring them to the way they came when stock.

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Right and wrong. There is a trim ring attached to the bucket { this was done on most of the buckets of this era } but as hard as parts are to come by I certainly would not junk the buckets. The ring is stainless and would servive longer than the bucket. Hold out for some rings from beyond use buckets or if you are not going for factory original others can be adapted that NO ONE will know are not original. It is possable also to use some new trim stock from the parts house that comes in coils that would be hard to notice as not original, such as is used for door edge quards. Lots of very simular buckets also, so without checking there is no guarantee what you have is 37 "T". I'll do some measureing, pics , etc first fair weather day we get. Bud
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    yo dawg, have you considered using the buckets you have and doing a sealed beam conversion. I have a few 37's where that was done prior to my purchase of those cars. Those kits do come up on ebay every once in a while or folks in the forum may have some. I believe they come with the trim piece your speaking about but its a little different then stock and won't work with the original lense (I think thats correct) Also if your looking for original lenses expect to pay anywhere from one to two hundred dollars - a problem you won't have with the conversion.



    just my two cents - good luck.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Let me clarify what parts are involved. With the headlights you have:



    1. The bullet shaped outer shell or bucket (and separate bracket, which bolts to the radiator shell)



    2. Stainless steel trim ring which fits around the thin metal edge at the opening; it's not a complete ring, actually started out as a flat piece that was machine-formed into a ring, so there is a seam. When you install it, the seam is at the bottom of the shell. Bud is correct, you will find these stainless rings still clinging to rusted-out shells in cars that are out in the woods, so don't give up hope of finding one or two. Maybe on Ebay. Actually, I slip MY trim ring off every time I have to change a headlight bulb, it makes the opening just a bit large when it's off, so you can more easily remove the lens. So, they can be induced to come on and off easily.



    3. The reflector (which has steel mounting brackets riveted around the perimeter) with socket



    4. Mounting clips -- 2 identical at the sides; one unique one at the bottom (which Duke Marley, of North Carolina, reproduces).



    5. The lens (keep looking, I think you ought to be able to find one for less than $100 -- try some of the Hudson vendors in the WTN).



    6. The lens retaining screw: this is rather complicated as it has two different threads, but a regular machine screw will suffice in a pinch. It is a real painful and tricky process to remove the lens and ALWAYS put a blanket on the fender and bumper beneath, to catch the lens if you drop it.



    Have you tried Donald Axelrod, of Massachusetts, for a complete new headlight?
  • bellbigdawg
    bellbigdawg Expert Adviser
    thanks alot jon B, now thats the kind of information I like! got her figured out now! my buckets have a "T" stamped on the reinforcement plate inside the bucket for the mounting bolt. does this mean "terraplane" as apposed to hudson models? anyway, thanks alot to all for thier help. anyone have a pair of nice trim rings for sale??
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    for a solution that works, I went to PEP BOYS AND bought some plastic chrome (like a door edge guard, and installed it on the 37 buckets. works fine, looks good, BILL ALBRIGHT
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Got to appolagise to Robert, { bellbigdawg } I'm just not at present up to the task of going thru stuff long ago put "somewhere ". Tried it , had to give it up . He needs a set of reflectors,good or bad for a 37 Terraplane pickup. Got be some somewhere so dig around guys and help him out
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    FYI

    just A thought regarding Original Lens...

    If you have 12V there are St Rod companies selling Halogen Bulb Reflector Kits to put behind your Original Lens and they have a Turn Signal/Park Light Kit to go inside too.... bobdrake@bobdrake.com is just one that comes to mind...
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I'm running something exactly like that in my '37. The original reflectors are slightly modded to accept a modern Halogen bulb, and there is a turn indicator bulb in the top of the reflector, allowing it to be used both as a parking light and turnsignal, plus you retain the original look of the big original lens with MUCH better lighting power.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Actually, you can purchase 6 volt halogen bulbs that fit the original reflectors and sockets with no modification necessary. These bulbs are made by Classic and Vintage Bulbs of Australia and are sold by their representatives in America. http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/page3.html



    Of course, you will still need to find the original reflectors and sockets....



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  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    This headlight just popped up on Ebay. The bracket is NOT the 1937 bracket, however it might be for an earlier or later Hudson. It surely looks similar to the '37 though the length might make it Hudson, not Terraplane. You might want to contact the seller, regarding dimensions, markings, etc.



    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1936-1937-HUDSON-PLYMOUTH-HEADLIGHT-AND-STAND_W0QQitemZ260202030234QQihZ016QQcategoryZ33710QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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