1939 Sealed Beams
 

My 39 Deluxe has had sealed beam conversion headlights for longer than I have known it. No idea on their origin but it was interesting to find them in a 1952-53 Eatons mail order catalogue. For 37 to 39 Fords you could buy both sealed beam units at $12.25 for the pair.

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

Ralph, curious to know the details, price, etc. for the headlights shown as #3, whose description got cut off on your scan. They appear to be Guide or B-L-C model 904-a which are kind of collectable today and curious what they sold for then.

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https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1602717968

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

Looks like $12.95. I downsized the page a little to see if it will post here and still be readable.

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...7&d=1602723269


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1602685440

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

Arrow and electroline where 2 companies that made the 40 style bezel kits.

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

And they must have sold millions of them! A large number of 37-38-39 Fords have them! They are ugly by my standards, but at the time I'm sure everyone thought they were a modern looking upgrade.

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

I always liked the appearance of the sealed beam conversions better than the original Ford lights. I think I have enough parts to convert my 39 back to original style but not likely to do it.
Old pic from 2014 when the 39 was still mobile and the Merc was still waiting. 39 needs a new coil now.

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

Ralph, I agree there are not as bad on the 39 to me, as they give it a 40 std look. It is really the 37 and 38s that I don't like them on.

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

Ralph, here's pic of my sister ship with 6 volt sealed beams, and using the original lens and trim ring.



Jerry, we wrote about this in an earlier post. I did this in 1996 and for the life of me, I can't remember where I got the conversion kit. We also discussed whether of not the original lens would distort the beam and my experience was it didn't.


Attachment 445100

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

I like that original look too. I'm guessing mine was upgraded in the 1940s probably with the intention of seeing better at night. I don't know but just assume the sealed beams give brighter light than the original bulbs.

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

That and the "look", it made an older car look newer in the eyes of the beholders. Don't think many people were interested in keeping them original.

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

mopar went to sealed beams late 39 cars, early had bulbs..yikes ..ford about the same time ?

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

Our 37 had a set of the Electroline sealed beam conversions on it when my brother bought it in 1964. They seemed to be aimed too high and could not be adjusted down enough. Maybe they were trying to tell us to lower the front end to get the headlights down? I am with Jseery on this topic, I prefer the look of the original lenses on the cars.

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams
 

Yes, ugly as all hell.

Literally the first non original/non stock parts that I removed from my 1937 Ford when I got it home were those ugly sealed beams.

I am restoring the original buckets (altered during the conversion) this winter and re installing them.

Re: 1939 Sealed Beams