Updating Late 30's Hudson Headlights?

[46HudsonPU]

I was looking on another thread, and took note of the headlights on the '38 Terraplane - (gray/primer, without hood side pieces) -
http://www.classiccar.com/photopost/data/500/933April_21_2006_Village_Inn-med.JPG

They appear to have been modified, probably for modern bulbs & glass.
Would like to find out more about this, if possible...

I bought a similar set, which will eventually go onto my '39 Hudson Model 90 112" pickup (they appear to be exactly the same as were originally on the truck). They are in pretty decent shape, but need glass lenses ($$$).
However, I would rather go with some modern lights, if possible - more reliable, and one can see & be seen much better, etc...

Anyone have experience in converting these type of headlight & assemblies to either sealed beam or halogen lights?

Thanks in advance -

[Jon B]

http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/img9.gif

Yes, I have experience.

I bought a pair of 6-volt halogen lights for my '37 Terraplane. They go right into the socket. No retro-fitting of sockets, no 12-volt conversion. And they are indeed brighter than the originals.

http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/index.html

Bring your headlight to the next local Hudson show and I'll bring along my spare bulb so you can check the fit.

[46HudsonPU]

http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/img9.gif

Yes, I have experience.

I bought a pair of 6-volt halogen lights for my '37 Terraplane. They go right into the socket. No retro-fitting of sockets, no 12-volt conversion. And they are indeed brighter than the originals.

http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/index.html

Bring your headlight to the next local Hudson show and I'll bring along my spare bulb so you can check the fit.Hi Jon,
I've bought a pair of the 6v sealed beam headlights from the same place for my '46 (have yet to put them in), but...
The primary problem is not with the light bulbs, or even seeing or being seen, it is with the glass lenses - they are pretty scarce (unless someone knows of a supplier somewhere who is making them! If so, PLEASE let me know).

[Geoff C., N.Z.]

[The primary problem is not with the light bulbs, or even seeing or being seen, it is with the glass lenses - they are pretty scarce (unless someone knows of a supplier somewhere who is making them! If so, PLEASE let me know).[/QUOTE]

Back in the 50's, when heaps of these cars were still on the road, there were many firms supplying "Sealed beam conversions", which consisted of a screw-in outer rim which fitted into the original headlight, and mounted the new sealed beam unit. Unfortunately these did not always perform up to expectations, as the sealed beams were much higher wattage than the original bulbs, and the switches and wiring were not up to the game, let alone the old third brush generator systems. The answer in some cases was to fit a relay right up in the headlight, which gave full battery voltage to the lamp. The disadvantage was that to get this full voltage, a lead had to be taken direct, which by-passed the ammeter. If you had a third-brush controlled charging system, you had no way to tell if the generator was charging enough to keep the battery up. So conversion to a 2 brush generator and voltage regulator was also necessary. However, your '39 Hudson should not have this problem. As to where you can get a conversion kit, surely some of the restoration supply firms are still supplying these? Otherwise, keep your eyes open at swap meets. I believe you can still get sealed beams in the U.S., but 6 volt? They do make a replacement semi-seal unit in India for r.h.d. cars, for which quartz-halogen bulbs are available. I presume they also make a l.h.d. version. The only difference is in the lense. I have a set of these in my Jet, and they are indeed incredible lights, even compared to the original sealed beams. Good luck.
Geoff

[Cosmo@avaloncity.com]

We have a few Head Light Lens on our store for some of the 30's models. I know you are talking about bulbs but I hate to see these lens sit around when there are folks who need them.
http://store.avaloncity.com/index.php?cPath=1_4
there are also some fog, parking and tail light lens.
Let me know if anyone needs any.

[Jon B]

Here are a couple more possibilities on lenses:

HEADLIGHTS, headlight lenses, headlight parts only, 1914-39. Donald Axelrod, 35 Timson, Lynn, MA 01902, PH: 781-598-0523; email: hdlthqtrs@aol.com

http://www.campbellriversales.com/vintage-lenses.htm

[46HudsonPU]

Here are a couple more possibilities on lenses:

HEADLIGHTS, headlight lenses, headlight parts only, 1914-39. Donald Axelrod, 35 Timson, Lynn, MA 01902, PH: 781-598-0523; email: hdlthqtrs@aol.com

http://www.campbellriversales.com/vintage-lenses.htm

Contacted Don - has an advertisement on Hemmings.com, he has a pair - at around $180.

Will try to make contact with campbellriversales.com.

However both sources indicate that theirs supplies/stock are NOS, and there is no current production of these lenses.
Translated: Sooner or later, a short supply will become 'no supply', and in the meantime - one little 'rock in the road', and...

Of course, the same can be said of almost any breakable part on a vehicle -

[jjcom]

I'm not sure the size of headlights you'll need, but you can find 7 inch 6v sealed beam lights over here:
http://www.mikes-afordable.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A13007SB&Category_Code=1074

My Model A has been converted to sealed beam 6v lights and they don't draw any more power than the old bulbs did. I believe they're 32cp for dim and 50cp for bright. While not as bright as modern car headlights, they do seem to be decent enough for you to be easily seen and for you to see ok. They're routed through the regular harness light switch on my A and draw about 6-7 amps on dim and 10amps on bright. That should be fine for the generator to kick out 12amps or so.

Jesse

[kamzack]

I was looking on another thread, and took note of the headlights on the '38 Terraplane - (gray/primer, without hood side pieces) -
http://www.classiccar.com/photopost/data/500/933April_21_2006_Village_Inn-med.JPG

They appear to have been modified, probably for modern bulbs & glass.
Would like to find out more about this, if possible...

I bought a similar set, which will eventually go onto my '39 Hudson Model 90 112" pickup (they appear to be exactly the same as were originally on the truck). They are in pretty decent shape, but need glass lenses ($$$).
However, I would rather go with some modern lights, if possible - more reliable, and one can see & be seen much better, etc...

Anyone have experience in converting these type of headlight & assemblies to either sealed beam or halogen lights?

Thanks in advance -
There's a company called "Hagan's" that builds french headlight kits for anumber of applications. I see thier ad in "Street Rodder"mag., You being a computer wizard maybe able to pull them up on line. I'd bet that's what's on the street rod Hudson in question. It's a simple fix. voltage don't matter, you put either in this application.
Thanks for letting me share
Kim

[46HudsonPU]

There's a company called "Hagan's" that builds french headlight kits for anumber of applications. I see thier ad in "Street Rodder"mag., You being a computer wizard maybe able to pull them up on line. I'd bet that's what's on the street rod Hudson in question. It's a simple fix. voltage don't matter, you put either in this application.
Thanks for letting me share
KimHi Kim!
Thanks, both for the compliment & the information -

Here's the link to the site, and to those 'frenched' lights -
http://www.haganstreetrods.com/

http://www.haganstreetrods.com/index.php?cat=30Headlampsets

Was & am hoping to keep the '39 as stock/original as possible. I have two sets of headlight assemblies/buckets now - one set in good shape, one is 'so-so'...
If there is enough left of the 'so-so' assemblies to modify & use, I may be able to set aside a 'standard/original' set, to take it back to OEM - should I want to at some point...