Prepping the 54 for Our Daughter's Wedding

[avgwarhawk]

Our daughter is getting married this weekend.  She wants the 54 to take her to the wedding with Dad at the helm of course.  Then for pictures after the ceremony. I knew the headlights on the 54 are either original or replaced with original type sealed beams,but I was not expecting to see this inside.  Bulbs! 

 

 

[Bloo]

That was normal on early sealed beams. Some even had metal reflectors. It is still sealed to prevent reflector degradation.

 

[avgwarhawk]

36 minutes ago, Bloo said:

That was normal on early sealed beams. Some even had metal reflectors. It is still sealed to prevent reflector degradation.

 

The reflector silvering is degrading and falling off.  Not complaining after some 60 years!  Hell, even some of my silvering is falling off at the age of 58. 

[FireballV8]

Hi Chris

Those are the original steel back headlight bulbs. Basically it is a metal backing with a glass lens crimped on the front, the bulb is what is sealed. These are very rare as they were only offered from 1953 to 1955 in 12 volts. However they were first introduced in 1940 for the 6 volt cars. My 1955 Roadmaster and 1955 Century Wagon still have their original ones.  

 

If the car is being judged, these are the bulbs to have on the car. 

 

Your car must be a low mile car or was mainly driven during daylight hours. 

 

 

[Fr. Buick]

Correct.  I have extras in case you need to change them.   

[old-tank]

Save those for show conversation piece and install some good quality halogen lights.

Before I did that the only time I had good lights is if a little car was driving behind me and shining underneath my car.