Frosted Headlight Lense.....

[40Pickup]

Found these few years ago.
Curious, what model this headlight lense come from?
Looks same as 37-38, but the glass is frosted at the top.
No number or Ford logo!

Thanks, Jorgen

[V12Bill]

Looks like '37 or '38. Could the frosting have been a WWII thing? I remember that all cars and trucks had to have a blackout piece of plastic attached to the top of the lens to keep lights low so that in an aerial attack, there would be less light going up.

[keith oh]

I am old enough to remember the war years very well and do not remember vehicles having to have blackout lens pieces. I do remember the fad of brows that were put on top of the lens in the 50s and 60s with a colored glass marble in the center that lit up when the lights were on.

[Fibber Mcgee]

I wasn't there but I have read about blackouts being primarily on the coast in the U.S. I believe alot of the purpose of blackouts in the U.S. was to not to silhouette the allied ships along the east coast and make them targets for German subs.

[Snouts out]

40 pick up lives in Europe,I'm sure they had e'm there!

[tiger.1000]

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Here in the UK, during WW2 all motor vehicles including motorcycles and even bicycles had blacked-out lights . Houses had to have the curtains drawn in order not to give the German bombers an opportunity to find a target !

[Kube]

I was informed by my friend Chris in New Zealand this was so the car could be driven with the high beams on while not "blinding" approaching vehicles.

[Fibber Mcgee]

Originally Posted by Kube

I was informed by my friend Chris in New Zealand this was so the car could be driven with the high beams on while not "blinding" approaching vehicles.

They need to make those mandatory for people driving the interstate in Florida today.

[RalphM]

Not just Florida! Try living in a place where it's mostly dark all winter. I get blinded all winter long, doesn't help that I have cataracts either.

[40Pickup]

Thanks for your suggestions!
If there was a war thing, I think it should have been more blacked-out like the photo from "tiger.1000" Royal Enfield.

Originally Posted by Kube

I was informed by my friend Chris in New Zealand this was so the car could be driven with the high beams on while not "blinding" approaching vehicles.

This sounds interesting, but on the other hand, the frosting should be at the lower edge of the lens, if I understand it correctly.
Maybe it was just an aftermarket stuff with a purpose that we do not know.

Thanks, Jorgen

[q81a]

The lenses with the frosting are English, part number 78E-13060 and were fitted to model
78 and 81a cars assembled at Dagenham England. They also made lenses with a frosted
section at the top for model 48 68 62 and 91a s. The model 62 was the 109 inch wheelbase
fordor saloon, that was built in England and France, with a 22 h.p. v8.
I have an 81a fordor with these lenses on it.
Edwin

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by q81a

The lenses with the frosting are English, part number 78E-13060 and were fitted to model
78 and 81a cars assembled at Dagenham England. They also made lenses with a frosted
section at the top for model 48 68 62 and 91a s. The model 62 was the 109 inch wheelbase
fordor saloon, that was built in England and France, with a 22 h.p. v8.
I have an 81a fordor with these lenses on it.
Edwin

Edwin, Welcome to our Forum, and a damn good start with solid answers! Stick around, we can use more answers! And questions, if you have 'em!

[Detonator]

Welcome Edwin -- always a pleasure to hear from someone with your knowledge, especially if they're an 81A fan, the pinnacle of Ford styling!

[40Pickup]

Originally Posted by q81a

The lenses with the frosting are English, part number 78E-13060 and were fitted to model
78 and 81a cars assembled at Dagenham England. They also made lenses with a frosted
section at the top for model 48 68 62 and 91a s. The model 62 was the 109 inch wheelbase
fordor saloon, that was built in England and France, with a 22 h.p. v8.
I have an 81a fordor with these lenses on it.
Edwin

Edwin, thanks for your reply! I have been waiting for comments from England and France, and here it came, good.
Do you know the purpose of that frosting?
Would be fun if you could show us pictures of your car

Thanks again, Jorgen

[Brian]

I'd run them just 'cause they're different. I have seen them before, and in my opinion are 'cool'. Just one of those little features that when fitted, make an interesting car just that much different. And they're rare......

[40Pickup]

I totally agree with you, Brian!
Now graces the wall on our patio hanging like sconce, candle holders.

[koates]

Hi there, I also remember working on cars in the 1950s that had the frosting in the top of the lens which was an attempt at anti dazzle. These lenses were not perfect and always some stray light going high. The cars I remember were Ford Anglia and Prefect and Morris eights and others which were English sourced but assembled in AUSTRALIA. Regards, Kevin.

[scooder]

Originally Posted by q81a

The lenses with the frosting are English, part number 78E-13060 and were fitted to model
78 and 81a cars assembled at Dagenham England. They also made lenses with a frosted
section at the top for model 48 68 62 and 91a s. The model 62 was the 109 inch wheelbase
fordor saloon, that was built in England and France, with a 22 h.p. v8.
I have an 81a fordor with these lenses on it.
Edwin

Hello Edwin,
Great to see you on here. Gota pop over and see you at some point, need to have a rummage in your "parts department" have a little list of stuff I'm after for a future project. Problem is I been so busy on other projects, can't remember what I was after. It's on a list. Can't find that damn list.
I had pondered on the frosted lenses, didn't realise it wasnt done in the US, but now you mentioned it it's obvious!.
Thanks for your input,
Will be in touch when I find that list!
All the best,
Martin,
Little Martin from Bridgwater.