Headlight Grills on Speedsters

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Dan Macdonald
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Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#1 Post by Dan Macdonald »

Guys, is there a way to tell which Speedsters came from the factory with headlight grills and which had normal glass covers?
Was it by year, special order or ???
Thanks.
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Photo from the internet, not my car.
Photo from the internet, not my car.
Dan Macdonald 
'59 A Coupe (105327) 
'57 Speedster (82954) 
Registry #1921 (1982) 
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Dick Weiss
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#2 Post by Dick Weiss »

Not really, Dan--unless it's listed on the Kardex (or CoA) which I've never seen them listed. I'm not sure if factory installed.
Therefore, it's an available part which replaces the glass unless the Tenax mounted version is used over the glass.

Dick

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James Davies
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#3 Post by James Davies »

Grills instead of glass was standard on the '54-55 Hoffman Speedsters I believe. They're in all the period photos. Not sure if the '56 356A versions had them as standard.

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James Davies
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#4 Post by James Davies »

Some photos from 1954-55 from the Revs Digital Library.
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Craig Richter
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#5 Post by Craig Richter »

As usual, James is right on. '58 Speedsters did not have them for sure. Although the grills are very cute, you'll quickly get tired of all the water collecting in the headlight buckets promoting rust. Forget that, nobody drives in the rain anymore...
 

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Dan Macdonald
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#6 Post by Dan Macdonald »

James and Craig,
Great info and pictures!

So an early '57 Speedster would not have had them...correct?
Do you know if they were a factory accessory that could be ordered for '57's (or later cars)?
Dan Macdonald 
'59 A Coupe (105327) 
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Registry #1921 (1982) 
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Tom Keating
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#7 Post by Tom Keating »

My 56 Speedster # 82127 came with original grilles and the original grille gaskets. Purchased in 1970 with 19,000 miles Tom
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Norm Miller
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#8 Post by Norm Miller »

Dan,
Brett Johnson: says all 55 Speedsters came with the pot metal grills standard and also available on other models.

If my 83 year old memory is correct it was the 56 models.

Likely because the 56 model year commenced in the fall of 55 explains the difference.

These were not very practical as schmuk from driving in the rain and snow caused one to have to remove the grills to clean the headlights. My take!

If they were hit by a rock or other missiles they broke and today that would be a pain to replace.

They sure looked cool though

Norm
 

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Dan Macdonald
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#9 Post by Dan Macdonald »

Thanks guys, great info.
Does anyone know if they were in the accessory catalog for 1957 models?
Dan Macdonald 
'59 A Coupe (105327) 
'57 Speedster (82954) 
Registry #1921 (1982) 
DMAIA@aol.com
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Bill Tate
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#10 Post by Bill Tate »

The "Stone Guards for Headlights" were an available option for '58 Speedsters. These of course fit over the headlight lens. Mine are listed on the CoA as shown and translated from the KARDEX. If you were willing to spend the money they would provide any options they could make money on. My Speedster has an armrest on each side and they were not listed as an available Speedster option. KTF.
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Craig Richter
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#11 Post by Craig Richter »

While I'm sure they could be optioned, and therefore listed on CoA's, I do not think they were standard issue on any '58 Speedsters. They took the place of, not fit over the headlight glass.
 

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Donald Zingg
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#12 Post by Donald Zingg »

The chrome grilles first appeared in the 1955 Spare Parts Catalog in the 356 Coupe electrical section as a separate item P/N 356.62.114
When applied to the Speedster those grilles were considered part of the headlight unit - - Scheinwerferkasten "Sealed Beam", ohne Einsatz mit Glas und Gitter (roughly translated, Sealed beam headlight case and grille without glass insert) P/N 540.62.011. After the 356A was introduced the 540 prefix changed to 644. Later, the Speedster headlight assembly part number was superseded as 644.631.101.31. The factory deleted the chrome grilles from Speedster build plan after chassis 83200, which coincides with the switch from beehive to tear drop tail lights. During that time grilles could still be ordered as a spare part P/N 644.62.114

Richard Strahota
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#13 Post by Richard Strahota »

Tom Keating wrote:My 56 Speedster # 82127 came with original grilles and the original grille gaskets. Purchased in 1970 with 19,000 miles Tom
Hello Tom:
82127 says hello - now at 57,000 miles...
See you at Rennsport?
RS
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Dan Macdonald
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#14 Post by Dan Macdonald »

Wow! Really great info.

Another question please.
Does the headlight unit with the grills have a parking lamp? Or is it blocked off with a small plate?
So, if blocked off then there are NO parking lights for those Speedsters?
Doesn't sound right to me....?
Dan Macdonald 
'59 A Coupe (105327) 
'57 Speedster (82954) 
Registry #1921 (1982) 
DMAIA@aol.com
My YouTube Channel: Tinmeister 356

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Dan Macdonald
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Re: Headlight Grills on Speedsters

#15 Post by Dan Macdonald »

Dick,
BTW, I love the look of your car with those grills!
Thanks for posting that photo.
Dan Macdonald 
'59 A Coupe (105327) 
'57 Speedster (82954) 
Registry #1921 (1982) 
DMAIA@aol.com
My YouTube Channel: Tinmeister 356

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