On headlight lenses....

356 Porsche-related discussions and questions.
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Richard Emerson
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#121 Post by Richard Emerson »

What’s the market price for the correct lens for a 1956-58 ?

Jan Kolm
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#122 Post by Jan Kolm »

Richard Emerson wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2020 6:07 pm What’s the market price for the correct lens for a 1956-58 ?
There are three known types of Hella U.S. market lenses used between 1956-58 and the price varies greatly on condition and whether quality reproductions exist.
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

tom collingwood
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#123 Post by tom collingwood »

i have a lens stash... im going to dig through it and see what i have.

tom collingwood
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#124 Post by tom collingwood »

here are my lenses. Any idea what year and model they are for?
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James Davies
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#125 Post by James Davies »

Hi Tom,

The lenses in IMG_8577 (left side, small Hella logo) and in IMG_8587 are correct for USA delivery cars mid-1956 through at least early 1957.

Jan Kolm
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#126 Post by Jan Kolm »

Agree with James on the 1956-57 lens.
All of the "SB19 SB20 SB21" lenses are 1964 or later. VW and Porsche used the same lens.
The "1-592" lens is aftermarket "Reluma" brand.
The "E1.0671.01" VW lens is ~1957-59.
The symmetric Hella lenses are pre-1961 VW or pre-1959 356 (I'm not sure to what extent Hella was a supplier of headlights for the home market, if at all). They could also be for post-1958 RHD 356s...
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

paul vantol
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#127 Post by paul vantol »

Can anyone comment on what front turn signals should look like for an early 1953 car?
My understanding is that the glass should be clear plastic?
paul r. vantol

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James Davies
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#128 Post by James Davies »

Hi Paul, the first beehives on the 1953 model cars were clear plastic. Not pebbling inside. Pebbling came with the 1954 model year and the horn grills. They are short at 29mm tall.

There's a supplier for aftermarket Mercedes, which also used SWF signals. These are the closest I've found

https://www.ebay.com/itm/151719964093

I suspect this is similar

https://www.authenticclassics.com/Merce ... 003479.htm

Pete Indelicato
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#129 Post by Pete Indelicato »

interesting article in this months 356 Reg. magazine about headlight lenses
1963 T6 couple #212891, motor #*KD*P*730464

David Trower
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#130 Post by David Trower »

I have on my 59 Coupe that I have owned for a long time one Hella an one VW lens. I believe these to be original as I have no recollection of ever having a broken lens.

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Re: On headlight lenses....

#131 Post by Richard Alexander »

Jan Kolm wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2020 11:49 am This helps a lot with trying to date the post-1959 asymmetric lenses, without taking the headlamps apart.

I have seen 4430 lenses on eBay with the 10-digit, 1964 and later Bosch part number cast into the lower left face of the lens, so they were available into the 356C era, at least as replacements. I have never seen a 4474 lens. If the 4487 lenses are original, they will have the tell-tale pitting of daily driver use.

However the 911 (901) part number is the same for all three E1 lens types. Does this mean you could special order any of the three lens types, or you got whichever type is currently available?

A general question I have is how far do the lenses protrude beyond the chrome ring around the edges by type? The later lenses protrude about 1cm (sealed beam lenses are almost flush in comparison).
4474 Bosch (bubble wrap back ground)
4475 Hella next to 4474 Bosch

Richard
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Jan Kolm
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#132 Post by Jan Kolm »

Is there a date code cast into the lip of the 4474 lens at 12 o'clock, hidden under the rubber seal?

The Hella 4475 lens is the rest-of-world equivalent to the 60370 "SB19 SB20 SB21" clear lens. They are very common.
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

Steve Kram
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#133 Post by Steve Kram »

Headlight Lens 2.jpg
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Hi
I have 2 of these lenses. I am told they are US Export lenses for 56-58.
The numbers at the very bottom are 11 21334
Anyone have any info?
Thanks
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Jan Kolm
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#134 Post by Jan Kolm »

These are ~1959-60 Hella symmetric lenses. Definitely not U.S. export.

I'm thinking these are period correct for non-U.S.-market VWs, though the lack of a VW logo suggests these are universal fit.

The 356B parts book only lists Bosch as a source for non-sealed beam headlights, but as everyone knows, this is non-absolute.
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

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Dan Kalinski
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Re: On headlight lenses....

#135 Post by Dan Kalinski »

‘53. Correct?
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