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Projects 32 Ford headlights on a Model A?

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Fixxxr, Mar 26, 2015.

  1. Fixxxr
    Joined: Dec 5, 2009
    Posts: 157

    Fixxxr
    Member
    from Sk, Canada

    Has anyone out there ever put 32 Ford headlights on their Model A or have any pictures to share? I'm just looking at the options out there and realized I haven't really seen one with them on. Perhaps this is a total no-no, but thought I would try and get some opinions. Thanks!
     
  2. I for one really like the rounded? (not flat) lenses in the '32 and up headlights. Commercials are better yet. Do it if you want. Tim
     
  3. 59ab
    Joined: Feb 19, 2009
    Posts: 221

    59ab
    Member

    I have seen only one. I like the 32 lights but they look to large on a model A. IMHO.
     
  4. Fixxxr
    Joined: Dec 5, 2009
    Posts: 157

    Fixxxr
    Member
    from Sk, Canada

    That was kind of my thought too, even more so with my chopped grill.
     

  5. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 6,830

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    I think they would look fine, especially with a 32 grill. Or even, 34 commercial headlights.
     
  6. I vote no.
     
  7. DrJ
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 9,419

    DrJ
    Member

    Virtually all post WW-II hotrods ran sealed beam headlights. King Bee, Dietz, or Guide buckets, but NO one used "old" big-ass headlights on a "traditional" hotrod until the late '60's when guys kept them on their totally stock looking "Resto-Rods" to look, stock.
     
    flynbrian48, Dave50, X38 and 2 others like this.
  8. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 2,314

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

  9. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 2,314

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    image.jpg I think it would look beter with drop bar?
     
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  10. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 6,830

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    Yes I agree. Nice "A" hotrod!
     
  11. Fixxxr
    Joined: Dec 5, 2009
    Posts: 157

    Fixxxr
    Member
    from Sk, Canada

    Nice looking sedan
     
  12. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 2,314

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Thank you ,
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2015
  13. quickchangeV8
    Joined: Dec 7, 2010
    Posts: 533

    quickchangeV8
    Member

    Original 1932 Ford headlights on a Model A are too large and would look out of place. King Bee headlights really look good on a Model A. Arrow headlights have a nice look to them as well.
     
  14. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 2,314

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Just to add , it's ride's low on a Boxed A frame NO C notch or Chanel
     
  15. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 2,314

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA


    Yes ,they look big To me also , I do have a Bob Drakes dop bar I guess I will be install now that I will have more time ,, Guy's you need a woman that like HotRod's & Race cars
    Speed !!!!! But where R they at,????
     
  16. It's not traditional to use the biggest headlights you can find, as DrJ says.

    P/C says do what you like.
     
    flynbrian48, F&J and gwhite like this.
  17. OHV DeLuxe
    Joined: May 27, 2005
    Posts: 360

    OHV DeLuxe
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Norway

    Front.jpg
    These are 34 Comm headlights on model A truck with 32 shell.
     
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  18. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 6,830

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    Now that's what I'm talking about ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
     
  19. woodhawg
    Joined: Apr 11, 2009
    Posts: 1,021

    woodhawg
    Member
    1. S.F.C.C.

    I like the commercial ones on fenderless rides. Think they are too big with fenders.
     
  20. You guys are nut's,,headlights can't be too big ,,I love them,,even on women! :D HRP
     
    Jet96 and uncle buck like this.
  21. @DrJ and @X38 are right on the money from an historical perspective. 7" sealed beams were starting to get popular around '41 or '42 and were pretty widely used by '46-47 (check out all the King Bees used in the "Lakes Pictures P.R.C." thread). I've even seen some late 40's/early 50's pics of guys running 5 & 6" fog/driving lights (as headlamps), so it seems that the trend at that time was to go smaller, not bigger.

    That's not to say that large lights don't look good...stock (large) lights are right at home on a pre-war style rod and 'nostalgic' (if not period-correct) on a later style build

    5" lights on this circa 1950 Texas 'T';
    [​IMG]
     
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  22. Yes, but I plucked this from your album Gary,they also used big headlights! HRP

    [​IMG]
     
  23. Yup, that pic was taken in 1943. It's a prewar build.
     
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  24. ^^^I agree with J here, I am going from memory which has been distorted a time or two but I don't recall the stock headlight thing happening in the late '50s or the '60s. it doesn't seem to me that it became a real deal until the '90s for hot rods. The resto rods had them but I never really considered them to be a hot rod personally.
     
  25. LOU WELLS
    Joined: Jan 24, 2010
    Posts: 2,754

    LOU WELLS
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from IDAHO

    IMHO IF YOU PUT THE BIG HEADLITES ON YOUR RATTLE A YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR A TAX EXEMPTION IN YOUR STATE FOR THE MOSQUITO ABATEMENT PROGRAM....
     
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  26. aerocolor
    Joined: Oct 7, 2009
    Posts: 1,209

    aerocolor
    Member
    from dayton

    I don`t mind `em. Use them on most of my A builds.
     

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  27. Looks great! HRP

    [​IMG]

    This too,well,not to crazy about the ifs. HRP

    [​IMG]
     
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  28. Fixxxr
    Joined: Dec 5, 2009
    Posts: 157

    Fixxxr
    Member
    from Sk, Canada

    Those looks awesome. I'm just wondering if the larger lights would be easier to pull off on a 30-31 rather than 28-29 like I have. Not sure why I have that in my head, I just do - and probably shouldn't!
     
  29. Fixxxr
    Joined: Dec 5, 2009
    Posts: 157

    Fixxxr
    Member
    from Sk, Canada

    See I wasn't sure if guys used them in the 60's or not. I'm for kind of an early to mid 60's style. Good info.
     
  30. aerocolor
    Joined: Oct 7, 2009
    Posts: 1,209

    aerocolor
    Member
    from dayton

    Thanks HRP. The IFS is the reason that roadster has fenders... I had the chassis and needed to use it.
     

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