Hella headlights Pre A October 1954

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James Davies
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Re: Hella headlights Pre A October 1954

#16 Post by James Davies »

On the early bucket, it looks like someone has punched 2 holes in the bottom so it resembles one of the later ones. As for the date, it's completely scratched out, but the only thing you can read is the 2. I would say it is 2x X. So probably 20-something 1953 or 1954. These date codes are usually something like

05 L = 5th week of 1953
07 L = 7th week of 1953
etc.

The scratched out area is where one would find L or M to distinguish 1953 or 1954. Given that it has the later style chrome trim ring, my guess would be it's an M for 1954.

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Aurelio Faccilongo
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Re: Hella headlights Pre A October 1954

#17 Post by Aurelio Faccilongo »

I managed to make a better photo by cleaning better the bucket. I seem to read but I'm not sure
"46 L" which would be November 53. What do you think now?
Can you also explain to me the what figures "180 E-25-2 S B" means?
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James Davies
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Re: Hella headlights Pre A October 1954

#18 Post by James Davies »

Nice cleaning Aurelio! Bravo. 8)

Yes, 40 L or 46 L. So late '53.

180E-25-2 SB is the Hella part number for the 1953 Sealed Beam headlight with single-rivet chrome trim ring. Here's an earlier one. Notice they changed the stamping.

I believe the 1954 one with the 2-rivet ring but old style spring setup was 180E-25-3 SB, though I have not seen one of these. The 1955 one with the later spring setup and 2-rivet chrome trim ring was 180E-25-4-SB.
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