Which headlights for a RHD A Coupe?

[roboguy]

Hi all,

My car came with mismatched headlights - one hella light with adjuster screws at 12 and 9 o'clock, and one bosch light with adjusters at 2 and 8 o'clock.



Is either of these correct for a 1957 RHD A coupe, and if so which one? Alternatively, what sort of lens / surrounds should my car have on it?

Any and all help is much appreciated!

Cheers

[pauldvern]

My '59 A RHD has the one on the left with the 9 o'clock screws, but the lenses don't have any bias to left or right


Paul

[PhilipB]

My 59A has its original headlights and they have the 12 o/c and 9 o/c screws. The lenses are Bosch but not the same type as in your picture.

[roy mawbey]

James,

As mentioned above your photos do not seem the same as original versions over here. The RHD UK cars to my knowledge all had Bosch headlights fitted. Certainly my 59 356A still has the original bosch headlamps and even the glass. I attach 2 photos one of the script and one showing the 9 and 12 o'clock adjustments.

I presume your RHD delivered cars were the same as ours.





Roy

[Hendrik Moulds]

Yes the glass should be Bosch as Roy has shown, being reproduced now as far as I'm aware. It's more than likely your Hella lights came from a beetle as they are cheaper, fit and plentiful.

[roboguy]

Thanks so much for the advice guys!

Looks like I need to find one surround and some new lamps at some point.

Cheers!

[356downunder]

Hi James ….if you let me know (photo) exactly what you are after I may have something downstairs.
Cheers
Bob Magowan

[roboguy]

Hi Bob,

It appears I need headlamps like Roy has on his car. Adjusters at 12 and 9 o'clock with bosch lenses and no bias. My car was originally UK delivered so would very likely have had exactly the same lights as Paul and Roy's cars.

By the way where about's in NZ are you? Sadly I don't think there are too many other 356'ers in Wellington.

Cheers,
James

[356downunder]

Hi James
I'm in Auckland.
I've checked and unfortunately I only have Hella as spares…..I thought I did have some.
I have seen other Bosch glass with the "Bosch" insignia being a bit smaller than in the photos….so sorry about that.

I believe that there are about 10 356's in and around the Wellington - Lower Hutt - Waikaenae area.

Sorry that I haven't been of much help James.
Regards
Bob

[Black Betty]

The original Bosch chrome rims had a Bosch inscription...

From the 1955 356 Pre-A Parts book: Porsche lists three (3) separate headlight assemblies: the Bosch (644.631.101.00), Hella (644.631.101.01), and Hella sealed beam (644.631.101.31). It also mentions that the Park Light and Blinker light were one unit (meaning the little white beehive light in front). From comparing part numbers to those in later Porsche parts books, it can be deduced that the Hella sealed beam was probably intended for USA, the Hella was probably for right hand traffic countries, except USA; and the Bosch was for Left hand traffic countries (England, for example).

From the 1957 356-A Parts Book: Porsche lists five (5) separate headlight assemblies: all three listed above in the 1955 Pre-A parts book, and two new ones: the Bosch Asymmetrical (644.631.101.02) and Hella Asymmetrical (644.631.101.03).

From the January 1960 356-B T-5 Parts Book: Porsche again lists three headlight assemblies: the Bosch (644.631.101.00), Hella sealed beam (644.631.101.31), and Bosh Asymmetrical (644.631.101.02). In this 1960 parts book, the destination differences are clearly stated, i.e. the Bosch (644.631.101.00) was non-sealed beam for left hand traffic. The Hella sealed beam (644.631.101.31) was for the USA. And the Bosch (644.631.101.02) Asymmetrical was non-sealed beam for Right Hand Traffic, except USA.

[roy mawbey]

Black Betty is correct above the 12 o'clock position the chrome rims are stamped with the Bopsdch logo on the left followed by the word Bosch.

I suppose if you find the correct glass then it would be nice to have the correct rims as well.

I would contact PRS services over here ( Mike Smith ) I know they have a vast selection of old second hand parts its probable he might have 2 headlight assemblies. I would mail him the question.

Roy

[roboguy]

Thanks for all the help guys, and thanks for checking your parts stash Bob!

I will probably get in touch with Mike. The car is still a way off being back on the road, but I am trying to collect a few parts while the metal work is being done.

Cheers

[James Davies]

Roboguy, the headlamp on the left in your photo is a Bosch lamp with Hella glass. All the1950s Bosch headlights have the adjusters at 9 and 12, whereas the Hella ones have adjusters at 5 and 7. The Bosch and Hella headlamps from the 60s had them at 1 and 7, as in the headlamp on the right in your photo.

So find another bucket like the Bosch 9 and 12 one that you already have. Bosch glass for these like in Roy's photo can be found.