Actually, these do appear to be post-1960 Bosch asymmetric assemblies for the RHD market (the tab on the rim is more rounded than Hella). I realize the parts book only lists symmetric lenses for RHD markets, but Australia may have required asymmetric lenses before the UK did. The date codes (if any) off the backs of the reflectors will help answer this question.

_________________
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

That is definitely post 1960. Here is the Bosch lens from what was once my May 59 T2.
Note the different script.

_________________
'53 Cabriolet
'61 Notchback

I have only ever seen Bosch lenses. Hendrik, my lenses on a RHD delivered Australian (62BT6) car has the adjusting screws as Jan says "@ 1-1/2 & 7-1/2 position". The two lenses are different however. One has the BOSCH in all caps (on the LHS) and has but one number on it 1023. It has some quadrants in it to probably accommodate the light direction towards the LHS.

The other has the word "Bosch" italicised, and looks the almost the same as the one you have above (my RHS), but with numbers 1208 and K21008. I suspect that one has been replaced at some stage after a stone attack. However, I am not sure which one. Going by Sierra Madre entry http://www.sierramadrecollection.com/Bo ... 19245.html , I think the RHS is the replacement. Maybe wrong however?

_________________
Merv
TYP356
1963 356B T6
1968 911 SWB

Lots of good info here and I have three pages of notes to prove it. But like Columbo I have a few more questions.
1. When did the SB19 lenses begin to be installed?
2. There seems to be a "correlation" between the digits leading the part # 60370 and the general installation time period, e.g., 28-60370 is "early 1970's (ref Jan Kolm post dtd 082513), 26-60370 is 1964/65 (ref Jan Kolm post dtd 111014). So where would the following series fall, date wise?
a. 6 thru 18 -60370-3
b. 21 thru 24 -60370-03

Answer to Question #1: December 1963, unless someone can prove they have a November car with them installed at the factory. The "monkey wrench" in this theory is that Karmann didn't rotate their vendor stock in the warehouse, so there are documented 1965 model year 356s with 1963-dated headlight assemblies.

(Partial) Answer to Question #2: The "SB19" lenses are common to U.S. and Canadian-market Porsches and VWs, except Karmann Ghias and Type 3s, so there are lots of them around. After 1967, they were only produced in small lots for the spare parts market and the final few batches from the early 1980s had the raised lettering on the inside of the lens. For my earlier posts, I pulled the numbers off original, matched-pair VW assemblies with readable date codes and original lenses.

If you really want to get into the weeds for originality purposes, look for low number lenses with a gap between the "60" and "370," as there are variations in lettering among lenses with the same leading prefix number.

_________________
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

Thanks Jan! Lots of really good information. Now I can clear out a shelf in the garage of the boatload of SB19 lens 'cause apparently my Mar 63 Karmann coupe should have 180E lenses installed. SB19's were on the car when I bought it from the umpteenth owner in '84; who knew or cared at the time. Oh well, gives me something to look for at swap meets.

I have two 4 & 8 o’clock adjuster screw headlight buckets I’m going to put on the classifieds. According to the drivers manual, these are for sealed beam lights? The date codes are faded away. I’m assuming they were original to my C, and my dad updated to H4s at some point. Can these just be used on C cars, or will they work on earlier models? Just want to get as much into as possible. J

The "Z25" date code indicates the bucket was manufactured the 25th week of 1963, so it would be original to either a very late 1963 356B or a flat-hubcap (no crest) 356C.

The lens has been replaced at some point, as the "SB19 SB20 SB21" lenses first appeared around December 1963.

_________________
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

So, they are only for C cars or will fit earlier models?

They will fit any year 356, but are only correct for mid 1962 model year through November 1963.

_________________
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

I have a pair of Bosch 4430 E1 headlights, supposedly from a '64 C cabrio. I can't seem to find any info about these lights, would appreciate anything anyone knows, so I can identify them accurately before I decide to sell. Is there a right and left side lens to these headlights?? There is a unique pattern on the headlight at about 3 o'clock, but on the same, right side, on both.

thanks, Jerry

_________________
jerry havel

I have a pair of Bosch 4430 E1 headlights, believe they belong on a '64 C (cabrio?), but don't know for sure. Any help identifying the lights is appreciated.
Thanks, Jerry

_________________
jerry havel

They are probably VW but possibly original to your car if it was European delivery. That outside glass lens is set up for asymmetric light beams to light up more of the right side of the road and illegal over here. USA delivered cars had clear lenses with the beam cut off as part of the sealed beam glass. European cars had bulbs and a clear glass lens though later cars had clear glass sealed beams I believe. There are some experts on lighting on the forum so we can hope they chime in and correct me if I am wrong on any of those points.

_________________
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
Cymru am byth
David Jones #9715

Those are normal Euro Bosch headlights for LHD VW and Porsche models. Out of production now but there is a Hella product which looks and operates about the same
Photo is backside with bulb holder shown -- takes a P45t bulb and a BA9s 4 watt for parking light (in the small hole).

_________________

Are there any date codes on the buckets or reflectors?

_________________
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe