T-3 headlamps vs CRAPPY batteries - Page 8

Shop Rat · October 20th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkyardjeff

Even if I had a all original car (12 volt of course) it would have halogens in it when it was driven,would have to keep the originals in the trunk for showing. I came home late in the evening from a show in my 53 olds in the rain with non halogens and it was terrible and could not see very well so the next day it had halogens. It would be nice if the reproduction parts had the modern internals for those of us who want the original look but with the better technology,my 37 chevy has the original bulb/reflector head lights but even with 12 volts leave much to be desired so sometimes in the future I will be installing the late model halogen bulbs so I can see better.

I understand where you are coming from on this. For folks that may drive after dark in antique vehicles the Halogens do offer better lighting. But for showing they don't fullfill the requirement of "as they could have come from the factory" if they look right but really are not. But folks can do what you do, put Halogens in for driving and correct ones in for showing.

junkyardjeff · October 20th, 2009

It would be nice if the reproduction headlights were made with the halogen internals and still looked like the originals and same with the batteries,I can get about 10 years out of a modern battery but have been hearing stories about the reproduction original looking batteries do not last very long so.

Shop Rat · October 20th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkyardjeff

It would be nice if the reproduction headlights were made with the halogen internals and still looked like the originals.....

It comes down to the fact that they would be incorrect Halogen headlights and the ten point deduction would still apply for AACA judging.

junkyardjeff · October 21st, 2009

Even if they had T-3 on the them like the original a judge would notice a little difference on the inside of the bulb,I am glad I dont show all originals as you guys can do it and I want no part in the hassle of keeping one 100 percent original as I want to be able to see when I drive at night so I will hang out in the drivers class.

Shop Rat · October 21st, 2009

Yes, it is very possible that judges would see the difference and trust me ten points is a lot to lose as a starting point on the judging in regular classes.

With your vehicles DPC is the place to start. There are modifications that are allowed there. But not all modifications are allowed so there will be vehicles that will not qualify for even the DPC class. It is a certification class rather than a judged class. A friend of ours is the one that came up with the idea for the class.

My husband has been on the DPC team several times now and likes the class, he was on it at Hershey. He has 89 judging credits so he is not new at this.

I get the feeling that your vehicles aren't modified/street rodded enough to compete at those shows nor are they original enough to compete that way. You are between a rock and a hard place at most shows. Open shows or DPC are your best bet.

ted sweet · October 21st, 2009

whats the point of a reproduction t-3 that isnt correct in appearance?

junkyardjeff · October 21st, 2009

You would think a reproduction could be made to look identical but have modern guts and yes my vehicles are best shown at open shows,if I had a GM product a T-3 would be appropriate for I would like to have halogens with T-3 on them as I do like my vehicles to look mostly original but with improvements.

Shop Rat · October 21st, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkyardjeff

You would think a reproduction could be made to look identical but have modern guts and yes my vehicles are best shown at open shows,if I had a GM product a T-3 would be appropriate for I would like to have halogens with T-3 on them as I do like my vehicles to look mostly original but with improvements.

Someone may make those. But they would be incorrect. Period. There are rules for AACA show vehicles. We are all expected to abide by those rules. If someone tries to do it their way, as you want to and it is your right to, they will have points deducted. It is a lot of money to spend to not stand a chance at an award.

There was a guy at Hershey with a very nice car in the class I was Team Captain for. He had Halogens, ten points off. He had five radial tires, 3 points off each for a total of 15 points. Right off the bat that takes him out of the running for a first place with cars already scoring above him. He got a third. After we judged the car I explained to him that to get a First Junior he would have to get rid of the Halogens and radial tires. He thanked me for letting him know. We do that with major deductions to help the owners. Especially the ones at their first AACA show going for a First Junior with the hopes of getting Seniors and Preservations at some point. Many just don't know.

And for the record T-3's, or any other brand that came on a vehicle, are not required. Only that they be era correct and all match as to brand within that era. If it says General Electric they should all say that and not have some as General Electric and some as GE. It is a one point deduction for each non-matching headlight.

Go to an AACA show and walk around and get a feel for what we are about. Enjoy the vehicles and talk to the owners.

junkyardjeff · October 21st, 2009

I dont think there is a AACA show or any all original type shows near me,I have been to a couple OCA nationals that were close since I was in the OCA when I had a 53 88. My 53 was not show quality so I just spectated and I seen plenty all originals there but on mine I cant leave anything alone and need to do what I think are improvements,halogens,radials dual resivour master cylinders and a good sound sytem which in your world are big no nos but are manditory in my world.

Shop Rat · October 22nd, 2009

You should enjoy your vehicles your way. They belong to you and it is your money and time spent on them.

But they won't fit into the AACA way of doing things. We are all about preserving and enjoying vehicles the way they were designed and built to be.

We can help you with working with the original equipment that came on your vehicles. But we aren't here to help you modify them. There probably are some folks that would help with that by PM or private e-mail. But it is a firm no no to do it on the forums. Those are the rules.