Custom Ideas: Headlights

[Ryan]

A couple of months ago, we brought you a great little article from Custom Cars magazine that covered the basic custom treatments of '49 to '52 Chevy grilles. Today, I thought I'd do something similar focusing on headlight treatments. Dig these pho...

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[Lazer5000]

I've always liked the "hooded" look. Won't work on my '48 Chrysler without major fender mods, but I find something to put them on.

[ALindustrial]

me too, but im not good with metal yet so i havent tried yet... im kinda wish-washy about frenching... i think the right cars can pull it off...

[Gotgas]

Some of those are great! And some are really funky!

I've always been partial to the '53-54 Buick setup-



..and one you don't see done much at all, the '56 DeSoto/Chrysler. Dodge also had a nice headlight shape for '56.

[1950ChevySuburban]

Next to custom taillights, headlights modified well can really make or break it for me.
They're a great area for artistic expressions.
These are mine, '54 Merc rings, done the old way. Bought them at a swap meet cheap, and welded them on. Lights adjust from the rear.

First set I've ever done (so far)

[Theo Douglas]

For my money (some of which is tied up in a really ratty '49 Ford Club Coupe) I'd have to say: frenched using stock rings.
That's what I'm planning for my shoebox.
I like the hooded look too, but I just can't bring myself to use it.

[50Fraud]

My all-time favorite headlight treatment is frenched '52-4 Ford or Merc rings, but they don't work on everything.

'55 & '56 Olds (not the same) were popular in the day, too, but seem to be more popular now than when they were new:

[SinisterCustom]

'56 Olds headlight rings are the cat's ass........esp. on Shoebox Fords and '49-'52 Chevys......doesn't get any better......

[scrape]

in digging on the 55/6 chevy truck lights......
...

[Lazer5000]

Frenching is great on a few cars, i.e. shoeboxes, '49-'54 chevs, but other than that I think cars look better with rings.

[autobilly]

If anyone is interested, check the factory front end treatment on an EK Holden (GMH), kool.

[plmczy]

Anybody ever use 53-54 pontiac headlight rings for a custom look? later shawn

[63fdsnr]

I always liked the look on the Ron Dunn '50 Ford - think that was '56 DeSoto bits. Guess it was a mid 50's thing as almost all of the Detroit cars had a version, and no doubt the designers were looking at the customs being done.

[Gotgas]

Originally Posted by 63fdsnr

I always liked the look on the Ron Dunn '50 Ford - think that was '56 DeSoto bits. Guess it was a mid 50's thing as almost all of the Detroit cars had a version, and no doubt the designers were looking at the customs being done.

Actually they're '55 Lincoln, pretty close in appearance.

[63fdsnr]

Thanks, that is even better - still from the same family. The memory goes first?

Originally Posted by Gotgas

Actually they're '55 Lincoln, pretty close in appearance.

[4t64rd]

The poor mans 55-56 Olds rings...

[striper]

Here's my '52. I like the peaks. It gets rid of what I thought was a bit of a bug eye look

Pete

[paperdog]

how about 55 Buick rings with the eyebrows
stock lites recessed behind the fender about 2 inches
chrome half shields
4wd headlite screen mesh covers
home made stainless tunnel

still 6 volt... always ran with the dome light on on moonless nites

on a 52 Buick Riv coupe

and those are 58 chev back up lenses in the parklite holes they are bullet shaped

[lostn51]

im putting 55 Chevy headlights in my 49 Ford and after looking at the artical i might consider the 55 and 6 olds.

[IGOR]

I've got some 56 Packard headlight doors hanging up. Always thought they'd be cool to use on something.