In what year did Mopar change from 6V to 12V in CARS ?

[HanksB3B]

Thank you, I much appreciate it,

Hank

[greg g]

1956

[BobT-47P15]

I think Greg is right...........

[YukonJack]

I think in 56 just about everyone changed to 12 volts.

[bobostski]

Chevy did it in 55.

[Robert Horne]

My Parts List Book of 24 Jan, 1938, lists many 12 volts items available in 1938.

Parts are R. H. D., for export.

"Parts peculiar to right hand drive trucks are indicated by (R.H.D.)."

[TodFitch]

I think in 56 just about everyone changed to 12 volts.

Dodge changed in, I think, 1926. Except they changed from 12v to 6v.

[old stovebolt]

and didn't Ford have an 8 volt system in 1953....one year only?

[B-Watson]

Chrysler Corporation cars built for Britain were 12 volt positive ground as that was the norm over there.

No manufacturer had an eight volt system to my knowledge. Ford switched to 12 volt in 1956 from six volt. Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac switched to 12 volt systems in 1953 while Chevrolet, Pontiac and Packard switched for 1955.

1953-1955 Crown Imperials had 12 volt, positive ground systems but that was changed to negative ground for 1956.

[old stovebolt]

Well, I was wrong, it was not Ford..... my memory is fading fast. It was

G.M., in 1953. They offered an 8 volt system on several of their upper end

models of Buick and Cadillac. I knew it was one of the manufacturers......

[TodFitch]

Well, I was wrong, it was not Ford..... my memory is fading fast. It was

G.M., in 1953. They offered an 8 volt system on several of their upper end

models of Buick and Cadillac. I knew it was one of the manufacturers......

I've never seen things like sealed beam lamps listed in manufacturer's guides that would be appropriate for an 8v automotive system. For example the "6v" bulbs are usually rated for 6v to 8v for low wattage and high wattage are usually something like 6.2v. For an "official" 8v electrical system you should have bulbs rated at 8 to 10v (low wattage) or 8v (high wattage). I don't recall seeing anything like that in my old GE or newer Phillips miniature lamp guides.

While an individual could push the limits and just accept lower life out of the lights I find it very unlikely that a mainstream manufacturer would do so. Especially not on their upper end lines.

Long way around saying I'd want to see some period factory literature with that 8v information in it before I accepted it.