The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk OEM headlights

you guys know what brand was OEM head lights on a gmc in 1941... GE, westinghouse, ect

Now Katrina, I've been accused of being a purist, and I am, about 80 or 90% of the time.
But, "OEM headlights"??
I can't believe that there is any judge that is so nit picking that they would deduct points
for the correct factory installed brand sealed beam headlights.
If that’s true the next thing well be checking for the original brand grease in the grease
fittings or sampling the air in the tires to see if their filled with Detroit smog.
I’ll never win a prize for the most original or best of show Advance-Design truck on the
field but we have to draw a line in the sand somewhere and on the other side of mine are
the consumables, i.e., gas, oil, anti-freeze, grease, air, fuses, tires U-joints, vacuum tubes,
brake components and yes, light bulbs.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

'41 was the beginning of standard sealed beam headlights - metal backed sealed beam unit, probably originally Delco, very unlikely you will find any

Bill

In the world of VCCA or any group judging, having the original GUIDE type headlamps would be a bid deal.

I'm more of a repair and drive type guy, but I was excited to find to old Westinghouse headlamps in the back of my Panel that worked. They look pretty sweet with that big W up front and all.

I try and do the best job I can, but I just can't get excited about judging. That being said, I've been a spectator at some events where there is judging, and there are some pretty incredible cars and truck that come out for the event. If I had the money, and didn't drive my truck everyday, I just might get carried away like that too. Do they deduct points if you've got a bunch of lumber in the back? Hahaha

I am in agreement with Graham and Lang on this issue. Being anal about lights, puts the trophy or resale value, above and more important than the truck. The truck just becomes a means to an end.
Old cars and trucks should not be about ego and bragging rights and the almighty Dollar. They should be about enjoyment and appreciation of the things built by the people that came before us.

Sorry, but that's just how I feel about these old cars.

Right on, Richard!

I'm kind of in the middle. I prefer an original vehicle but I fully realize that do to the dearth of "original" parts and sometimes the desire to make concessions to safety and utility, more modern parts are used. For example on my '38 coupe it no longer has the original paint, upholstery, tires, generator, cut out voltage regulator, etc.. I understand the quest to keep them as original as possible but I don't take it to the extreme that some do. I'm in a club that values originality (VCCA) but even there, there are a fair number of folks who have made the type of concessions I referred to above. I doubt even the extremely anal have the original belts and hoses on their vehicles.

Actually they should give you points Chris cus it was originally designed to haul lumber,
among other things and they should deduct points when you have to haul it in on a trailer!
DG

I once read of a Corvette show (not sure what the name of the organization was ) where one of the judges got inside the car. Then they covered up the car with a blanket so it was dark inside, and turned on the lights. The judge could tell by the brightness of the instrument panel if it had the right bulbs in it!!

Now that, my friends, is nit-pickiness run amok! At least in my world!!

The Vette guys are nuts. I know, I was one of em. Started to go down that path w/my '76. Its a slippery slope.
If you're entering the truck in shows and its your thing, do it and do it better than anyone else. Me, I just enjoy the musty smell and the looks I get on the road.

I would second the Delco guess.

I know to get the Bloomington Gold and following NCRS guidelines, for Corvette restorations, could make the difference in the 10's of thousands of dollars in the sale of the right Corvette. I am gathering parts for a Corvette now that could bring toward $150K if done right. Do you think I care if the headlights are real T3'S??? YES! Without doing it right I could make it a $45-50K car.
I have a 1969 Corvette that I drive that would top out in the neighborhood around $40-45K if restored the same way. On that one I would rather have fun with it. I couldn't "restore" it the same way without spending too much to make it worth my while.
What is it worth in the end IF you plan on selling it is the question one should ask themselves.
I also enjoy driving a patina'd old truck too. I am just as proud of it too.

Let's keep this about truck headlights and drop the points judging and Corvette discussion, please.

Thanks.

The '60-'66 Chevy light-duty trucks came with the infamous T3 headlights and I come across them, from time-to-time, on a few of the trucks, Panels & Suburbans I have acquired. I have swapped in T3 lamps on a few of my projects and heard observers comment about them. These trucks will never have the mass-appeal of the more popular/main-stream years, makes & models of cars from the hot-rod era, but when I can, I install the T3 headlamps for the "nice-touch" factor.

Lighten up. I was just making a point which can pertain to truck headlights too. T3's are used on trucks as well as Corve......passenger cars.

Sorry Katrina for continuing to be off track. I don't know the answer.

There's nothing wrong with correctness, if that's what you're into. My hat is off to anyone who is willing to put that amount of effort into their projects. The Corvette example was merely intended to illustrate the extremes to which some people take it. But if that's what floats your boat, good luck to you and God Bless!

And I hope Katrina finds the headlights that he/she is looking for.

Link didn't work for me Bill. Just curious to see. Not sure what's on mine, but bettin' they weren't halogen (like mine) back in the day.

I bought my 39 3/4 ton stake in 1977 and restored it in 1978. I am the 3rd owner. The guy that owned it before me (Don Baird of Garden City, Michigan) used it as an everyday vehicle. He converted the 39 reflector/bulb headlights to 40 sealed beam. 1940 was the first year for sealed beams on Chevy trucks. They worked very well. One was Westinghouse, the other was GE. I changed them both to Westinghouse. Got tired of hearing the comments that they weren't the same. (Nobody offered to give me the correct ones). What I would like to find is a set of sealed beams without the adjustment tits. Do your trucks the way you want them. You sell it to others, they can do as they like to with it. If someone wants to fund the restoration of your truck, you MIGHT consider giving them a say.

I agree with 456 chevy trucks about the T-3's. I seem to always look for them on 50's & 60's vehicles. Along with old plates they are a nice touch. Fred