A Brief History Of Sealed Beam Headlamps In The U.S.

[chevynut]

https://www.carid.com/articles/brief-history-of-sealed-beam-headlights-in-us.html

I thought this was an interesting article. I didn't know the government was so involved in the changes to headlights over the decades.

"Today, there are no new cars or light trucks sold with sealed beam headlights in the United States."


I think some of the new headlights are pretty cool. There's quite a few choices for replacements for 7" round headlights now. You don't have to stick with the boring sealed beams.

https://www.carid.com/1956-chevy-bel-air-headlights/

[55 Rescue Dog]

Most of the best looking cars ever made had sealed beam headlights. I wish all of my newer cars did too. 2-3 cheap bulbs covered everything, worked fine, and they didn't cost $300 plus to replace one from just getting dull and cloudy. The lights on my Tahoe are aero, but that doesn't seem to help mileage, or replacement cost, and the old sealed beam trucks looked better too. in 1950 they could make a 7" round headlight blend into the body. The incandescent glow always looked best anyway.
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https://www.carid.com/1956-chevy-bel-air-headlights/philips-7-round-factory-style-headlights-441954102.html

[chevynut]

Most of the cars and trucks at SEMA had newer cool-looking headlights. They look more modern and perform MUCH better than the old junk sealed beams, and even the high current Xenon lights. There's nothing "cool" about a 60+ year old 7" sealed beam light and they all look the same. When I drive at night I want to see the road, and personally I like the "eyebrows" and halos....just something new and different.

With the LEDs they can get a lot more creative and they last the life of the car, and then some. 50,000 hours is typical which is amazing. They draw a lot less current and really don't even need relays except for control functions. I've seen several kinds of LED headlights that I really like so the Nomad might get a front end facelift. Yeah, some of them are expensive, but so is the other stuff I put on the car. I'm liking em but it's something you have to get used to and they draw attention to the car.

[55 Rescue Dog]

They are not that cool, but definitely look dorky. I try to avoid driving a classic vehicle at night high speeds anyway. We used to just use parking lights when cruising at night, when that was cool.

[scorpion1110]

Rescue, I am with you. Its a matter of opinion but LED lighting on a car looks ridiculous. Every Audi you see nowadays has eyebrows. Of course just my opinion.

Or as CN would say

S

[BamaNomad]

I have to agree with RD and Scorpion... putting this plastic crap on a classic chevy just *cheapens* it....

[markm]

They belong on gang banger rides with 24 inch wheels.

[chevynut]

Sure they would look out of place on an "old school" tri5 with 15" Cragar wheels and balloon tires, sitting at stock height with an obsolete carburetor sticking out of the hood. But on a modern, low stance, pro-touring style build with big wheels I think they would look great. I love the front end of that Camaro in the pics above, and the headlights complement the look. They give a hint of more cool stuff underneath. Good thing we don't all like the same things or we would have never gotten out of the 60's.

[BamaNomad]

My view... if one likes this 'new fangled' big wheel/plastic headlights, blinking LED looks... then they should buy themselves one of the myriad 'look alike' cars available, instead of trying to make a classic look the way of these new plastic fantastiks...

A *classic* car is CLASSIC for very specific reasons... WHY disregard all that?

[chevynut]

Here's a couple pics of some LED headlights on older cars at SEMA. Some of them are more subtle-looking than the projectors (except for the Chevelle), but still improve lighting a lot. I guess if you never drive at night you might as well delete the headlights altogether, or don't waste the time wiring them up. Or maybe just install some burnt-out T3s for that "old school" look.


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[BamaNomad]

So what is wrong with the 7" diameter Halogen bulbs for brighter output lamps? which also look *right* on our older cars? ie... such as the Hella european lamps which are supposedly at the 'bright' legal limit?

[Troy]

Well at least I don't have to polish my '55's lenses every three months!!!

[55 Rescue Dog]

Out of those pictures, the empty headlight buckets on your avatar picture of your 56 look better.
I unsuccessfully tried to talk my best friend out of his plan to hang empty lake pipes on the sides of his prized 2005 Ford Thunderturd to give it an old school look. Trying to make a new car look old doesn't work either. It's embarrassing.

[markm]

Out of those pictures, the empty headlight buckets on your avatar picture of your 56 look better.
I unsuccessfully tried to talk my best friend out of his plan to hang empty lake pipes on the sides of his prized 2005 Ford Thunderturd to give it an old school look. Trying to make a new car look old doesn't work either. It's embarrassing.

I agree if you want new buy new or old school buy old school.

[kbuhagiar]

After 5 years of lurking...my first post!

I think I fall somewhere in the middle of this discussion...

I agree that modern styled replacement headlamps may look out of place on a TriFive; however, I am all for any upgrade or modification that increases headlight output and improves the nighttime driving experience. All of my older hobby cars have been upgraded with better headlights (Cibie, Hella) and relays. That being said, I will be upgrading the headlights on my 56 One-Fifty soon, and will definitely look into LED replacements, as I like the idea of NOT having to install headlight relays. The challenge will be to find high-output LED headlamps that are plug & play, but don't look too 'blingy' or out of place.