Headlight Questions - '49 Buick

[BuickNut]

Hey Folks, got a question on the headlights on my '49 Buick Super. It needs restored, but don't recall how well the old 6 volt headlights lite up the road when I did drive it. Are there conversions over to modern 12 volt lighting ? Are there places to get "new technology" (????) lights to work on old 6 volt systems ? Or where can I get the old original lights - non used ? I'm not concerned about having the vehicle having NOS stuff, and can definately go with NORS......

[The Old Guy]

I also have a 40 and the stock 6 volt lights are surprizingly good. I used regular 6 volt replacement bulbs and was careful about the alignment

[Fred Rawling]

If your 6 volt lights are not bright, check the ground lead. That always worked for me.

[ply33]

Your original 6v sealed beam headlights are rated at 40 watts. 12v sealed beam headlights up to about 1970 were also rated at 40 watts. In the 1970s a 50 watt sealed beam was introduced. With the advent of quartz-halogen bulbs, the wattage dropped back to about 40 for sealed beam versions.<P>So, given a good set of wires, switch and connector contacts, and a good ground, you have the same power at the head light as a new car.<P>However, for the same power quartz-halogen bulbs typically put out 50% more light than incandescent bulbs, so the standard new car headlight will put out more light than your 6v car. You can get 6v quartz-halogen headlights if you want to bring it up all the way to today's standards.<P>For tomorrow's standard, the new replacement HID systems put out about 300% more light than quartz-halogen using only 35 watts. See the links pointed to in the current HID thread in the Reatta forum for details. I suppose it would be possible for someone to make a 6v igniter and ballast for those, but I bet they are not available now.

[BuickNut]

Thanks a lot.....its very much appreciated. For kicks, I may just try and see if I can get some of the 6 volt quartz halogen lights. I'll grab a look-see through Hemmings and see if there's anything listed.....buts its nice to know that if I can't find them - I'm still doing a-ok with respect to my 70's car.