The Art of the Headlight location.

It seems minimal. Probably a dumb ass question. But after seeing the "Quad headlights on a Model A" thread, It was apparent that location is VERY important on fenderless cars.

Are there certain guidelines to follow? Or is it a free for all?

Is it O.C.D. to think they should have guidelines? I'm thinking maybe level with the top of the tires and parallel with the radiator shell?

If this is dumb, report it. But I have looked at a lot of photos and attempted to search for this using multiple terms.

Any input?

 

This is a great idea for a thread on a very important subject.

When Pat Ganahl was running the 'newly returned' Rod and Custom

magazine, he wrote an excellent article on this very thing.

Maybe someone might have a copy they could scan and post up

CM

 

I personally think it depends on the car, and a bunch of other factors, including size and style of headlight. If I were putting headlights on a Model A (which I'll do someday because I'm already building it in my mind), it would take me a week of looking at them in various locations to decide where they would go.

 

The wrong placement can ruin a car. The correct placement doesn't necessarily make a car.

 

Where they look the best. Mock it up, a hundred times, if you have to. That's how I roll.

 

Low and out front.. Just my preference...

 

First, check and see if there's a state law that speaks to this subject. Some early so cal hot rods, for example, had lights mounted "too high" -- at least by contemporary aesthetic standards -- because Cali law required them to be something like 24" above the road surface.

Once you're sure you're not gonna become "bait" for local cops, do what pleases your eye. Your suggestion of using the top of the tire as a reference point is a pretty good one. But I'd vote with those who say lower is better.

 

That goes for more than just headlights!

 

I never even thought about local laws. Great point.

 

BINGO! Duplicate this look and you'll be cool too!

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I believe what counts is what has been called "Preference"...it's YOUR car, you have to drive it, use your judgement and make it look how YOU want it to...there are no laws in hotrodding.

 

Easy for you to say. Sadly there are more laws in hotrodding than we know about and the right cop at the wrong time will let you know.
Just one, scrub line.

 

Those are not low... But look great out the front.

 

I believe it depends on what era your aiming for,,on my old roadster it had a 60's style height to the headlights.



Chopper had basically the same thing on his 3 window. HRP

 

Too low like that is goofy looking......and illegal

They will get smashed if anyone backs into you. Hotrodprimer got it just right

 

Oh, there's low shot's of her. Just can't post em

 

My preference is usually to mount them low. On our 32 roadster, I run a set of old style guide lights that are kinda big and beefy compared to some. I mounted them as low as possible and somewhat forward. Would have gone lower but they kissed the upper shock mount (F100 style) Kept breaking the mounts so had to re-engineer the mounts which required moving the lights about 2" up and 2" forward. We used a modified A headlight bar and had to modify it again. Still kept them as low as possible...

They are low and out front like Jane's!

 

Not way low, not too far forward, and if they are small size headlights, not too far apart......different guidelines for different size headlights.

 

In my opinion, the line from the top of the tire meets the bucket somewhere between the center to the top of the headlight it's just right.

 

There are hundreds. Most fall into one category: PHYSICS.

 

Yep,this is an important issue, it is something that I have always noticed. There has been plenty of great cars quite often spoilt just by poor headlight positioning. Too far back and too high = bad in my book. -H.R.D.- Oh, and please have a happy and safe new year!

 

Perfect timing for this conversation as I just mounted my lights yesterday.And when you talk about dilema it is quite true as this job should have taken me an hour and yet I spent all day on it.I just recieved the headlight brackets and they have a left and a right.Well it is possible on my setup that I could actually use them both ways with them not looking to funky.So after a lot of deliberation and on one way and then the other,I actually drilled the holes on the chassis rails so that if I don't like it I can still go the other way.Roger

 

Like mine lo also

 

I like them up a little towards the middle of the grill shell


but down low like the rolling bones use is mean looking too

 

Is there any difference in 32 light bars?

 

There are too many factors to consider to have hard and fast "rules". IMO, they should be placed wherever they look "right". I'm sure you realize this as well because you titled this thread "The Art of the Headlight Location" instead of "The Rules of Headlight Location."

 

It's not about being cool, it's about looking right...

...something the guy that is building your car has to worry about.


Thanks for the opinions and photos.

Yes, it's art, not science.

 

Let's see what you've built. This isn't my first car (I've built a few), and right now I'm at a point in life where I have very little time and some available funds. I like building my own cars, but having 11 kids and owning two businesses keeps my garage time to a bare minimum. Last complete build took me almost 10 years, and I don't care to wait that long for another well built car.

And one day in the next 5 years I'll have da34guy build a '32 3 window for me.

Yep, I'm a gold chainer now.

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You're not a newb. Search! I'm 10 months into my first full scale build. I'm shooting to have it done by April.

I was just pokin' fun at you . I have followed your build. I like it a lot.