sealed beam lights

[31 LaSalle]

when did manufacturers start using sealed beam lights

[Bloo]

On US made cars, in most cases, late 1939 for the 1940 model year. There were probably a few exceptions.

[58L-Y8]

Only the 1940 Graham 'Spirit of Motion' aka 'sharknose' and the few leftover Lincoln K sold as 1940 models still had the reflector, lens and bulb type headlights. The industry standardized on the seal beam lights.

[Gunsmoke]

A quick search indicates GE developed the first sealed beam unit for automobiles in about 1939 year, and within months, the US Federal Government, in order to bring some consistency, improve maintainability (elimination of obsolete parts/inventory issues consumers were complaining about) and safety to the industry, they mandated sealed beam units commencing in 1940 production year, requiring 2 dual filament 7"+ diameter headlights. Later law amendments in 50's permitted an option for 4 sealed beam headlights, one high beam and one low beam, and a later law in 60's/70's allowed such units to be other than round (rectangular, square etc). Finally the laws were further amended to allow alternatives such as replaceable bulbs such as most cars have now, and focused the standard on a minimum level of illumination etc. Anyone who has messed with the newer models out there know how complex lights have gotten these days, very expensive to buy, and down the road the complex compound curved composite lights will be impossible to find or replicate. I would not be surprised some day to see further regulation aimed at standardizing at least some elements of headlight and taillight designs to avoid "built-in obsolescence, the 10 year parts supply rule). For example Corvette and Mustang carried the same general tail light treatment for decades as a signature, but many cars today have taillights that look like a child's squiggle.

[28 Chrysler]

1976 Model year was the starting point for the rectangular lights. Manufacturers knew they were in the works around 1973 - 74.

[bryankazmer]

1 hour ago, 28 Chrysler said:

1976 Model year was the starting point for the rectangular lights. Manufacturers knew they were in the works around 1973 - 74.

quite a few switched for the 1975 model year

[Marty Roth]

1 hour ago, 28 Chrysler said:

1976 Model year was the starting point for the rectangular lights. Manufacturers knew they were in the works around 1973 - 74.

 

1 hour ago, 28 Chrysler said:

1976 Model year was the starting point for the rectangular lights. Manufacturers knew they were in the works around 1973 - 74.

For 1975, Cadillac,

Top of the line Full-sized Oldsmobile and Pontiac, Buick models had Rectangular headlights-

Lesser models continued the round lights for the 1975 model year

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2023 by Marty Roth (see edit history)

[joe_padavano]

Those rectangular lights are still sealed beams. 1984 was the first year that replaceable bulbs were allowed in "aerodynamic" headlights, as seen in the 1984 Lincoln Continental.

 

[LI_BENTLEY]

Lets see how god you are.  What was the last car with 4 round sealed beam headlights?

[joe_padavano]

I'm guessing these aren't sealed beams...

 

(1992 325 convertible)

 

 

I'm going to say 1982 Corvette with quad sealed beams.

 

Edited March 3, 2023 by joe_padavano (see edit history)

[Bryan G]

Looking at a used headlight assembly for that BMW on eBay; sure does look like they're sealed beams (take a look at the backside.) Odd that everyone seems to sell them as the assembly.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255816303234?fits=Model%3A325|Make%3ABMW&epid=1726293621&hash=item3b8fd70282:g:U8YAAOSw6AljaarW&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8MOG3vnv4EiLS3gcSNgN2lP8J1sXsRbk6ayAslmG5Gq8j8KiUvK4mJdHHdK8PFZyu%2BOlsM2O83wO1piEeYTmNtvkBl8F4pRDrbHf%2BS2XauAtgXcsEaqronu7JnKzm3v05%2FM9aF92DTRzLeqnH1dDqILxqrA4LFy5ygTsQfl1MxVxnVCVxsLBCc5y6gUd7ApxWf3o%2FN0p0di3ZH%2F5SloBi1OHhVvqmwl69ouVt4Rc1Dor0zcwIEdcMdImvcO6kW9fRCusJLIBIEw4l5giMFpfUbznyO6XVZ9BO1q1eip2%2F0p9zbjulXfcpRX%2FmJS4Dmphhg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABFBM1OuN2dRh

[Frank DuVal]

1 hour ago, joe_padavano said:

'm guessing these aren't sealed beams...

 

(1992 325 convertible)

Nope, those are sealed beams, fixed a lot of them in the collision shop! The convertible model kept the sealed beams and the sedan had the housing with the small replaceable lamp (9005, 9006 typ.).

 

And yes, the Spirit of Motion for 1940 still used the antiquated system like the '38 in my picture.👍 Sealed beams are just not Art Deco.

Edited March 3, 2023 by Frank DuVal (see edit history)

[Dave Mellor NJ]

14 hours ago, 58L-Y8 said:

Only the 1940 Graham 'Spirit of Motion' aka 'sharknose' and the few leftover Lincoln K sold as 1940 models still had the reflector, lens and bulb type headlights. The industry standardized on the seal beam lights.

The 1940 Dodge VC military trucks still had the bulb lights,at least in 1940