32buick67 Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Does anyone know if this pic of a 1931 Buick was a legitimate factory supplied option for a pivoting diving light? I am familiar with the 1948 Tucker plans, and with the linkage in my old 1949/50 Ford 'me-too' 3rd driving light linkages to illuminate the roadway. Was Buick remarkably advanced in 1931 with a driving light which illuminated in the direction of the steer? Anyone know which autos were the first to illuminate the roadway in this way? Mario Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Look into "Pilot Ray". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32buick67 Posted January 7, 2022 Author Share Posted January 7, 2022 I was doing some research, was 1929 (Packard) the first use of the Pilot Ray steering light system? When did Buick first apply the Pilot Ray system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 I believe most if not all of those systems were aftermarket. I doubt Buick ever implemented it as original equipment, but someone in here will know for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Engle Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 IT's not listed in 1932 Buick accessory dealer literature. Most of the ones I've seen have been dual pivoting or non pivoting driving lamps. Bob Engle 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 2 hours ago, Robert Engle said: Most of the ones I've seen have been dual pivoting or non pivoting driving lamps. I agree with Bob. I believe these were a dealer added option starting in 1931. I have seen two 1931 80-90 series Buicks with them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Engle Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 I am not a fan of cluttering up the grill on these early Buicks. I know that some people like every item that was available for these cars. I think the 32 Buick grill is a work of art and I am disappointed when I see a big Chrome grill guard, with a license plate hanging from the badge bar and trip lights on the bumpers. Just my opinion, But sometimes simple is best. Bob Engle 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTRyan Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Great grill and info on Pilot Rays. I'ved added to 32 Cadillac getting some engine work done, but can find no reference as to how the lights or added to electrical system. They were an accessory in the Cadillac brochure and even if added at the dealer, what was the electrical hook-up? Separate switch under the dash or wired in with the light switch around steering wheel and horn? Any help appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly_John Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) I would definitely wire the accessory lights with a separate switch under the dash AND supply the 6v current through a separate rely. This separate circuit and relay will take the additional amperage load off your existing light switch. Since you'd be using a relay to control the 6v to the Pilot Rays, you could actually run the 6v feed off of your existing headlight switch, if you thought having a separate switch for the accessory lights was a bother. However, I hate to risk burning the contacts in your original '32 Cadillac headlight switch....but to each his own. I'm sending you a PM with some specific parts information. John Edited January 28, 2022 by Jolly_John (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) Owl light, 1927 used on a bunch of custom bodied Lincoln’s.......had a small light that turned with the wheels. Photo below is a 1925 non turning unit, but gives you the idea. I have only seen two in my lifetime. Edited January 28, 2022 by edinmass (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly_John Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) Here's a link to an interesting Hemmings article about vintage driving lights that some of you may enjoy. It isn't totally about Pilot Rays, but still has some helpful info about time periods for one or two light usage back in the day. John https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/accessory-driving-lamps Edited January 28, 2022 by Jolly_John (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillinMd Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 I believe there was a '29 LaSalle on BringaTrailer in mid Dec that had a set. They looked as though they were tied in to the steering. Cannot say if they were originally on the car though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckfmtexas Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Dual turning Tripp lights are often seen at Concours d’Elegance events on early Packards, Lincolns, Cadillacs, Duesenbergs, Auburns, Pierce Arrows, Marmons, etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 https://imageevent.com/powerwagon/pilotray?n=0&z=2&c=4&x=1&m=24&w=0&p=0 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 https://theoldmotor.com/?p=133530 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 On 1/28/2022 at 9:38 PM, chuckfmtexas said: Dual turning Tripp lights are often seen at Concours d’Elegance events on early Packards, Lincolns, Cadillacs, Duesenbergs, Auburns, Pierce Arrows, Marmons, etc. I'm fairly certain Trippe NEVER offered turning lights in regard to them being attached to the steering mechanism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 On 1/6/2022 at 11:13 PM, 32buick67 said: Does anyone know if this pic of a 1931 Buick was a legitimate factory supplied option for a pivoting diving light? Mario I don't know what brand driving light is on this car, but it doesn't look like Pilot. In addition, the cowl lights are not stock items, either. The ones on this car may have been replaced with spot lights, but it's hard to tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32buick67 Posted January 31, 2022 Author Share Posted January 31, 2022 The subject pic shows what appears to be qty 6 lights in front, which makes me think this car was special duty or purpose, or someone just maybe liked a lot of accessory lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Engle Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 Here's a 31 Buick with lights that turn with the steering wheel. Bob Engle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Buick 80C Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 My '30 series 61 with a single pilot ray light and here is where I started working on the pilot in my build thread 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Buick 80C Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 On 1/6/2022 at 11:13 PM, 32buick67 said: The extra light along with the Los Angeles city plate do remind me of this picture of the '30 and '32 Buick the LA police used. Likely not at all related, but an excuse to show this cool picture. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32buick67 Posted February 1, 2022 Author Share Posted February 1, 2022 1 hour ago, 38Buick 80C said: The extra light along with the Los Angeles city plate do remind me of this picture of the '30 and '32 Buick the LA police used. Likely not at all related, but an excuse to show this cool picture. Very cool, awesome photo! While looking through 1000s of pages of manuals and engineering documents last night, literally, I came across the generator and electrical parts lists which apply to police cars, radio use and other extra electrical accessories. The extra lights, radios, fans, etc. required the higher ampacity electrical system upgrades, no surprise, but it was neat to see an itemized list of upgrades. Buick, Chevy, Studebaker were listed among the police duty upgrades. I was surprised to learn that other car brands were used for law enforcement, other than the typical three. Makes me wonder what other brand vehicles were used for law enforcement...maybe time for a new thread. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 (edited) Pontiac had a police option charging system in 1936 consisting of a larger 2-brush generator and a 3-unit regulator, very similar to the systems widely adopted by the industry in 1940. Edited February 1, 2022 by Bloo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32buick67 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Share Posted February 2, 2022 It took a while, but I found the info again...this is from the 1,215 page National Service Manual for cars dated 1930-1941. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRA Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 I enjoy a lot the single pilot-ray of my 1929 Chrysler model 75 Roadster. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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