AutoLite Bullseye headlamps

[tgryphon]

I bought a very original and relatively low mileage 1941 Packard recently and it has the early AutoLite "Bullseye" sealed beam headlights with metal backs installed. Does anyone know when these "bullseye" bulbs were first introduced? I've seen them on Mopars of the fifties, but never earlier.

[Bhigdog]

Don't know when they first appeared but my 56 Chrysler has a pair and they both work. I don't know of any repro's..............Bob

[keiser31]

Late 40's Mopars had em.

[Guest Plymouthy]

Mother Mopar started using the bullseyes in the 49 production year..no clear distinction beteen the first or second series..

[keiser31]

My all original 1949 Dodge Meadowbrook had them.

[Guest DeSoto Frank]

Believe they first appeared in '49.

GE pioneered the Sealed Beam; I wouldn't be surprised if that's what your Packard originally had.

Also, Pre-WWII Sealed Beams did NOT have aiming-lugs ("gizmoes") on the face of the lens.

Good luck !

[tgryphon]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Looks like 1949 was the first year for the bullseye headlights and I'll need to find some GEs.

[Guest DeSoto Frank]

The original GE's had the name "General Electric " spelled-out at the bottom of the lens, just inside the metal retaining ring.

There were a run of GE sealed-beams in the '50s into the early '60s that had the GE "meatball" logo in the center of the lens... these would be too late for your Packard.