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Technical Hot rod head lights

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by 3w Hank, Oct 27, 2022.

  1. 3w Hank
    Joined: Jan 29, 2022
    Posts: 825

    3w Hank
    Member

    When was the traditional 'King Bee' head lights out on market ?
    I personally like the style of them and not the older designg spherical with a small lence say etc 5"
    I found this pair here in Sweden.
    I has no idea from what car but kind of cool frame to lens.
    What car can it be ?
    It must be pre 1940's but maybe European ?
    I think it was diameter at 7" ( price 100 USD )
    -Will be on my late 40's style 32 5W coupe, no fenders.

    Ideas ?
     

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  2. sloppy jalopies
    Joined: Jun 29, 2015
    Posts: 5,256

    sloppy jalopies
    Member

    never seen 'em before...
     
  3. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,405

    alchemy
    Member

    That's not a King Bee. The sealed beam bulbs that became common were introduced in 1940, and some trucks had free standing units that were adapted to old cars. Probably most of that didn't happen until after the war though.
     
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  4. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,405

    alchemy
    Member

    BLC, Guide, Arrow, as well as King Bee and other smaller companies made replacement lights that were common on hot rods. Late 40's were when those became common.
     
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  5. Personally I'd find a pair of Arrow 775 lights; they state the title of this thread "Hot Rod Head Lights" perfectly.
     
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  6. Petejoe
    Joined: Nov 27, 2002
    Posts: 12,263

    Petejoe
    Member
    from Zoar, Ohio

    I’ve learned from these threads also. Its reported that original Hotrodders didn’t use them. And they were originally off 50’s motorcycles and earlier big trucks.
    I like them. I don’t care if they were traditionally used or not.
    I do know for sure the new “trend” of big original style lights were never used and the seal beams were the go to light.

    https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/king-bee-headlamps.18644/

    https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/guide-headlights-what-were-they-originally-on.43343/
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2022
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  7. dana barlow
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 5,115

    dana barlow
    Member
    from Miami Fla.
    1. Y-blocks

    Can't help much about Sweden,but in the USA;
    PRIOR TO 1939: Headlamp design was not standardized. While many cars during the earliest part of the 20th century used round, stand-alone lamps, as car design evolved, auto manufacturers began to design lamps unique to their vehicles.

    "

    1940-1956: To control chaotic supply problems with unusual headlights, all U.S. cars were required by law to use (2) 7" round sealed beam headlamps with one lamp on each side of the vehicle. Note that each lamp is a "dual filament", meaning that the same sealed beam lamp serves as both low beam and high beam. Therefore, they all have 3 electrical prongs at the rear.

    A lot of lighting didn't light the road very far ahead 1939 on back,as speed went up,cars could out run what could be seen ahead at nite. The 7in. sealed beam was a quantum leap* in lighting to the old bulb n reflector styles. Hotrodders were fast to pick up on the better lighting,an use the aftermarket 7in. sealbeams,they looked n worked far better. Big older lights were trashed. Thought of as ugly old crap. { today,seems there are those who failed history,and just go with what ever copy cat trendy junk they saw on some other trendy copy cat car,we see big old style headlights being added{with BS,like how they love the look of big lights;= pretty much is like adding a sign"This car is owned by a trendy copy cat"
    The new aftermarket repop{fakes} of big old style,now have far better bulbs n do light well,but that dose not change the history fact=they didn't work well* and were replaced n not used any more.

    Hope that fills in a little !
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2022
  8. Lower frosted glass section looks like the old HELLA glass pattern.
     
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  9. 3w Hank
    Joined: Jan 29, 2022
    Posts: 825

    3w Hank
    Member

    I like the Arrow 775.

    So what is told here.
    Is that ; the older spherical lights as the ones I showed was from ex trucks, and was not used so the big lights ( later trends ? ) might not was used on hot rodders ?
    So did they go seal beam aka Arrow 775, King Bee ?
    -But as I got those head lightrs was to be mid 50's not late 40's ?
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2022
  10. Petejoe
    Joined: Nov 27, 2002
    Posts: 12,263

    Petejoe
    Member
    from Zoar, Ohio

    Let the pictures of each decade be your guide. In the 40’s you’d be hard pressed to find a lot of Hotrod’s on the road in middle America. But you’d see a lot on the salt. Those cars mostly didn’t have headlights installed. Do a search on historic pictures.

    D5E0563A-7E5C-4075-B865-219CEA897077.jpeg 0992EF5E-E759-453F-9E2F-3D8DF42C37BB.jpeg A816C6E3-8A37-4DD9-B3F8-80CB35193372.jpeg
     
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  11. 3w Hank
    Joined: Jan 29, 2022
    Posts: 825

    3w Hank
    Member

    A queston ;
    The headlights I showed, should they be cool, all black or chromed ends or all chromed.
    How much are the Arrows in price today and was they out late 40's ?
     
  12. Automotive Stud
    Joined: Sep 26, 2004
    Posts: 4,304

    Automotive Stud
    Member

    I don't know what those lights are either, but I think they look cool and with that type of lense would look appropriate on a late '40's style car. I don't think Arrow lights came out until the the '50's.
     
  13. Petejoe
    Joined: Nov 27, 2002
    Posts: 12,263

    Petejoe
    Member
    from Zoar, Ohio

    I prefer the black body with the chrome lense cover and chrome turn signal light housing.
    As far as arrow lights…it would be smart for you to jump on these.
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/254938000076
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/203985310269


    3201C0B0-38A5-47D8-9FCE-3E5AEB72678A.jpeg 4904DEA8-AF59-4F21-8AFE-8F5AA9073AA4.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2022
  14. 3w Hank
    Joined: Jan 29, 2022
    Posts: 825

    3w Hank
    Member

    I bought the lights.
    I think design was cool, especially the front ring.
    Must be truck aplication and it was mm bolts inside so European, maybe Volvo ?
    Not maybe a hot rod used part but...
    Will mock them on and see.
     

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  15. choptop40
    Joined: Dec 23, 2009
    Posts: 5,113

    choptop40
    Member

    id run em the way they are...
     
  16. Run ‘em. I think they are rad.
     
  17. Illustrious Hector
    Joined: Jun 15, 2020
    Posts: 452

    Illustrious Hector
    Member

    Did they have Ford 8N tractors in that part of the world?
     
  18. Tow Truck Tom
    Joined: Jul 3, 2018
    Posts: 1,879

    Tow Truck Tom
    Member
    from Clayton DE

    If ever you have wondered.... The idea of mounting the headlamp into the fender design was Patented by the Pierce auto company, sometime before 1914.
    This left all other ( American ) companies no choice but to make the light a separate pod.
    When that patent expired fender styling took a leap.
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2022
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  19. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Real King Bee headlights are round and have seal beams They also should have the King Bee tag on them. King Bee heaadlight.jpg King Bee headlight 2.jpg King Bee headlight 3.jpg
     
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  20. 3w Hank
    Joined: Jan 29, 2022
    Posts: 825

    3w Hank
    Member

    I has 3 Ferguson tractors from 47 with US Continental Z120 engines ( This tractors are based out of the Ford 8N ) but here they came from UK less no options so seller ( ex ) here in Sweden did mount on gauge, lights, tools etc.
    First Ferguson was made 1946 after Ford lost a conflict by use Fergusons patent unlegal on the 3-link ( revolution )
    They made them both in UK and USA.
    My tractors has Sweden made lights but at 4" ( see picture )

    This 7” lights I showed has mm bolts so its European.
    They look like a smaller brother to the J Guide but at the same 7" openings but I like the glass and the end trim on them, so I think I will use them.

    King Bee is nice but as I get it more up the 50’s.
     

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    Last edited: Oct 31, 2022
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  21. 3w Hank
    Joined: Jan 29, 2022
    Posts: 825

    3w Hank
    Member

    Question, is the Ford 36 lights at 7” ?
    I found this ones, but repro ( don’t like that ) as I has one glass hurted on the lights I bought.
    One told me today it might be Citroen 40’s or 50’s.
    Glass on them is Very nice in design and deepth in glass and nice curved.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/250712058153
     
  22. 3w Hank
    Joined: Jan 29, 2022
    Posts: 825

    3w Hank
    Member

    I found a set of BLC in a very nice conditions and the same ones Larry Rollers used on his 3W.
    I think the ’look’ big but I has also the smaller truck as showed above.
    That chromed rim is real neat on them but it might look small but they has the shape as a BLC.
    I will test both on my coupe.
    The guy sold me the BLC fronts had a 39 rear lights aswell, but I think I will use 37 style if no fuel tank, but with fuel tank I might use them.
    I also found a cool vintage WW2 oxy tank.
     

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